Resource Details

Scriptures Used:         John 14:27 (NLT); Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV); Philippians 2:20-21 (NLT);
1 Corinthians 12:24-25 (NLT); Philippians 4:7-9 (NIV); Mark 16:1-4 (NLT)

Key Points:

How can I experience peace in the midst of chaos?

Peace is an ordered and blessed life coming from a rested internal state.
The battle for peace is won on the inside.
There is no external solution for internal chaos.

Anxiety vs. Concern:

• Anxiety is continual         Concern is situational
• Anxiety is vague               Concern is specific
• Anxiety reacts                   Concern responds
• Anxiety obsesses              Concern moves

Choosing Peace for My Head

1. I will talk to God about my problems.

ACTION PLAN: When does your mind become consumed with anxiety? Is it at night, so you can't sleep? Tonight, as your mind fills with anxious thoughts, start a conversation with God – bring each worrisome thought to him in prayer. You can start by saying, "Father, I can't sleep because I'm anxious…" Then tell him the things that make you anxious one by one. Ask him to calm your mind as you learn to trust him to do what only he can do.

2. I will thank God for his help.
3. I will train my mind to camp in truth.

ACTION PLAN: Training your mind to camp in truth can mean closing your mind to the enemy's lies. Instead of obsessively reminding yourself of what the enemy says, practice repeating what we are told to think about in Philippians 4:7-8: "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things." Memorize Philippians 4:4-9 so that when the enemy tells you something, you can gauge it against this list. . . Is it true? Is it noble? Is it right?

Anxiety vs. Concern:

• Anxiety absorbs other's responsibilities
• Concern fulfills my responsibility.