A Word from Bob: Welcome to Part 9 of my blog mini-series on The Gospel Where You Live: God’s Prescription for Victory In Anxiety. I’m taking these thoughts from my booklet, Anxiety: Anatomy and Cure. You can read:
- Part 1 at God’s Prescription for Victory In Anxiety
- Part 2 at Anxiety: Stuck Vigilance
- Part 3 at Anxiety: What Difference Does the Cross Make?
- Part 4 at Facing Anxiety Face-to-Face with Christ
- Part 5 at 5 Gospel-Centered Responses to Anxiety, Fear, & Worry
- Part 6 at It Takes a Congregation
- Part 7 at Wholeness in Christ When You’re Falling Apart
- Part 8 at The Weapons of Our Warfare When Anxiety Attacks
Gospel-Centered Mindsets
Paul not only tells us what lies to ditch (see Part 8: The Weapons of Our Warfare When Anxiety Attacks), but also what truths to embrace.
“Finally, brothers, 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” (Philippians 4:8).
“Think” means to “take an inventory.” When anxiety strikes, strike back with a mental inventory of what you allow yourself to focus on.
We have more control over our thinking than we give ourselves credit for, even related to anxious thoughts. “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves” (Luke 21:14). We can control what we premeditate upon.
Paul is very practical (as is all of God’s Word). He suggests specific categories of what to think on. Philippians 4:8 is a command with a tense that counsels us to develop healthy habits of thinking—gospel-centered mindsets.
When worry strikes, strike worry out by thinking on certain things. Paul suggests 8 gospel-centered mindsets to fight anxiety’s attack.
1. Whatever Is True
This is truth aligned with God-reality and with what is honorable. When worry strikes, ask yourself:
“How can I replace the lies of worry (which always eliminate or minimize God) with the truth of Who God is and who I am in Christ?”
2. Whatever Is Nobel
“Nobel” means worthy, valuable, majestic and awe-inspiring, aligning with God’s eternal perspective. Ask:
“How can I replace the lies of shrinking thinking with the truth of God’s larger story, infinite power, and grace-love?”
3. Whatever Is Right
This is just, righteous, good. Ask:
“How can I align my thoughts about life, self, others, God, my past, present, and future with what is righteous and true according to God-reality?”
4. Whatever Is Pure
“Pure” means modest, morally clean, chaste. Ask yourself:
“How can I keep my thoughts about this situation pure so that they demonstrate a chaste commitment to trust in Christ alone, and remain faithful only to Christ?”
5. Whatever Is Lovely
This is beautiful, pleasing, winsome, amiable, agreeable, endearing. Ask:
“What way of thinking about this situation would please Christ; would bring Christ joy?”
6. Whatever Is Admirable
“Admirable” means well-spoken of, attractive, of good report, of excellent reputation. We ask ourselves:
“Based upon Who Christ is and upon His promises, what positive mindsets should I have about my present and future?”
7. Whatever Is Excellent
This means with valor, chivalry, virtue, good qualities, mental excellence. Now ask:
“As anxiety attacks, how can I attack back as a sentinel with valor?”
8. Whatever Is Praiseworthy
This pictures whatever makes you want to applaud, to give a standing ovation, to stand up and shout. Ask:
“As I counter these lies, what mental focus would result in God giving my thinking a standing ovation?”
The Rest of the Story
Join me for Part 10 when we talk about Living and Loving with Courage even when fear and anxiety mount their attack.
Applying the Gospel to Daily Life
- How can gospel-centered mindsets defeat the lies of fear-based and anxiety-fed mindsets?
- Are you experiencing core rest despite external stress and internal distress? Base your daily peace upon your understanding of your eternal peace with God in Christ.
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When Anxiety Strikes, Strike Back! http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx9
Learn 8 gospel-centered mindsets that defeat the lies of fear-based and anxiety-fed mindsets. http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx9
We have more control over our thinking than we give ourselves credit for, even related to anxious thoughts. http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx9
How can I replace the lies of shrinking thinking with the truth of God’s larger story, infinite power, and grace-love? http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx9
Based upon Who Christ is and upon His promises, what positive mindsets should I have about my present and future? http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx9
