FINAL PERSONAL STUDY

Reflect on the content you’ve covered during this final week in Anxious for Nothing by engaging in any or all of the following C.A.L.M. personal study guide activities. The time you invest will be well spent, so let God use it to draw you closer to him. Be sure to share with your group leader or group members in the upcoming weeks any key points or insights that stood out to you.

CELEBRATE GOD’S GOODNESS

During the teaching session this week, Max explored what the Bible has to say about the power of our thoughts. Your thoughts influence everything you do, feel, and believe. If your thoughts are anxious, then your life will be anxious. But if your thoughts are centered on peace, then your life will be peaceful.

In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells us, “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.” Jesus embodies every adjective in this list. He is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and so worthy of our praise!

Meditate on the following passages about how wonderful our Savior is. If your setting lends itself to doing so, read them aloud. Proclaim them to the One who is worthy!

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. . . . On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11, 15–16)

Underline any description you find of Jesus. Then do as Paul tells you—“think on these things.” Read them over a few times, stare at the words, and think about Jesus’ goodness.

Pray

Thank Jesus for being the essence of all things good. Review Paul’s list yet again and ascribe to the Lord every adjective noted in Philippians 4:8, telling him that he is true, noble, right, and so forth.

The wise man urges, “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NCV). Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then sow seeds of happiness today. (Count blessings. Memorize Bible verses. Pray. Sing hymns. Spend time with encouraging people.) Do you want to guarantee tomorrow’s misery? Then wallow in a mental mud pit of self-pity or guilt or anxiety today. (Assume the worst. Beat yourself up. Rehearse your regrets. Complain to complainers.) Thoughts have consequences. Healing from anxiety requires healthy thinking.

—Anxious for Nothing, page 121

ASK GOD FOR HELP

You have an enemy who is out to poison your mind with negativity, fear, bitterness, anxiety . . . anything that is not of God. No one is immune to his attacks, and you may even succumb to them without realizing it. Read Matthew 4:1–11. When did the tempter choose to attack Jesus (see verse 2)? What is the significance behind his timing?

[Your Response Here]

Often, the enemy will attack when you have been weakened by a difficult circumstance, rocky relationship, lack of sleep, or anything else that makes you feel defeated. When was a time you sensed the enemy attack your thoughts during a season of weakness?

[Your Response Here]

What were the temptations Satan used in an attempt to allure Christ away from his mission?

[Your Response Here]

The enemy is constantly on the prowl. He wants to fill your mind with doubts about your identity in Christ, just as he challenged Jesus with, “If you are really the Son of God . . .” He wants to plant doubts in your mind about God and his plan for your life, just as he tempted Christ to test God’s faithfulness by throwing himself from the temple. How did Jesus fight off the temptation of the enemy? What specific weapon did he use?

[Your Response Here]

In Ephesians 6:14, Paul writes, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” God’s Word is a weapon against the enemy and the key to a mind filled with peace. When you meditate on the Word of God, you are doing what Paul urges you to do in Philippians 4:8: immersing yourself in that which is true and right. Are you aware of the enemy when he is attacking your mind? If not, why do you think that is? If so, how do you counter his attacks?

[Your Response Here]

Pray

Ask the Lord to help you sense when the enemy is attacking your mind so you don’t dwell on his lies. Ask God to help you be diligent in putting on the belt of truth, daily reading his Word so you can recognize and fend off any thoughts that are not of him.

Christ is our home. He is our place of refuge and security. We are comfortable in his presence, free to be our authentic selves. We know our way around in him. We know his heart and his ways. We rest in him, find our nourishment in him. His roof of grace protects us from storms of guilt. His walls of providence secure us from destructive winds. His fireplace warms us during the lonely winters of life. We linger in the abode of Christ and never leave.

—Anxious for Nothing, page 136

LEAVE YOUR CONCERNS WITH GOD

What worries are on your mind today? Be specific with what is burdening you as you record each one in the left column below.

Worries

Gifts God Has Given You

In this session, we have been studying the importance of our thought patterns. Though there is not much in life we can control, we can control our thoughts! Today, try applying Paul’s meditation list in Philippians 4:8 to the worry list you just compiled. In the right column, next to your list of anxieties, list gifts God has given you that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or worthy of praise. How does this exercise change the way you think about your worries?

[Your Response Here]

Take Action!

One of the best ways to find peace when life’s problems begin to crowd your mind is to step outside. God’s creation has a way of bringing perspective. It helps you remember how big God is and the gifts he has given to you. As you look at the stars, the trees, a sunset, a flock of birds, a sparkling lake or river, you are meditating on the things Paul tells you to think about. So why not take some time to do just that? Step outside. Soak in God’s creation. And think of David’s words in Psalm 8:3–4:

When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

Pray

Use the words of Psalm 8:3–4 for your prayer. It may sound something like this:

God, who am I that you are mindful of me? But you are. I’m on your mind. You think of me! Would you help me think of you more? All throughout my day, would you plant thoughts of your goodness in my mind so that I can focus more on you and less on the worries of this world?

Ask God to retrain your mind so that when anxious thoughts come, you will focus on his goodness, his loveliness, his righteousness, and all that is worthy of praise.

Is God sovereign over your circumstances? Is he mightier than your problem? Does he have answers to your questions? According to the Bible the answer is yes, yes, and yes! “God . . . is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters” (1 Timothy 6:15 PHILLIPS). If he sustains all and controls all, don’t you think he has authority over this situation you face?

—Anxious for Nothing, page 147

MEDITATE ON GOOD THINGS

Study Philippians 4:8—“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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”—until you can recite it from memory. Don’t forget to memorize the verse reference as well. After you memorize the Scripture, ask the Lord to bring it to mind anytime an anxious thought surfaces.