Fear and worry and stress and anxiety are out there in plague proportions.  But there’s one thing – just one thing – that can make a huge difference in this area of our lives.  In fact this one thing is the most important thing I know about banishing fear from our lives.

Isn't it amazing what a difference a comforting word can make from a friend. You know, when you're under pressure and stress and racing around. And someone just gives you call to say, "I was thinking of you. How are you going?" Or they see the pressure you're under and they say, "Have you ever thought of this?" Or they just give you different slant on things. And in an instant, a word from a friend can calm the spirit. It can set at rest the racing heart. Its like it's a word in time. Just at the right time.

Problem is, in this busy hectic world that we live in, it seems to happen less and less these days, doesn't it? But fortunately God hasn't stopped speaking. Fortunately He has some words of wisdom. And encouragement. And comfort. And when He drops them into our hearts, just at the right time, they have this incredibly calming, healing effect. Even for the most harrowed of souls.

A word in time from God. That's what we're going to be taking a look at today.

I want to share with you the most important thing that I know about banishing fear and worry from our lives. The most important thing. The most affective thing. And it comes from the last part of chapter 4 in the Book of Philippians. It's what we've been looking at this week on the program.

It's the apostle Paul. He is on death row. He is writing to his friends in the Church in Philippi. In the process he's sharing his experience and teaching us how to banish fear from our lives. From the most dire circumstances, you or I, could ever imagine. He's on death row. Here's what he says. Philippians chapter 4, verses 10 to 13:

I rejoice in the Lord greatly but now, at last, you have revived your concern for me. Indeed you were concerned for me but you had no opportunity to show it. Not that I'm referring to being in need for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little and I know what it is to have plenty.

In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry and of having plenty and of being in need. For I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Paul was an itinerant minister who travelled across much of the known world and a good part of that time he spent in jail. And he's writing here, to his friends in Philippi, about his physical needs. Obviously they've cared for him and provided for him. And sent him money and resources when he's been in need. And he's been saying 'Thank you', that's a good thing.

I love how much of God’s word, you know, is about real practical things in people's lives. But even in this he takes the opportunity to teach them something. And I believe that God, today, is taking this opportunity to teach us something. Here it is:

For I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have a little, I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry. Of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Paul's saying, "You know something, it doesn't matter what circumstances I'm facing." How often do you and I think that our joy and our peace depend on our circumstances? Paul’s saying, "No, no. Forget the circumstances. Doesn't matter what's going on in my life. Good or bad. Plenty or little. A full stomach or starving. I have learned, learned practically in my own experience, how this works. I have learned the secret. The secret of getting through any or all circumstances and that secret is this."

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Paul’s saying, "It doesn't matter what the world throws at me 'cause God is the one who strengthens me. And when I'm hanging close with Him. When I'm relying on Him, He comes through. He does the things I can't do. He saves me. He encourages me." And Paul had been through this so many times.

There were so many riots. So many people tried to hurt him. So many people criticized him and misunderstood him. And rejected him when he was telling them about Jesus. Over and over and over and over and over again. He learned this truth in his life:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

And do you know why this is so important? Because whenever I feel a sense of despair, I come back to this Scripture. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or hurt or rejected or alone or distressed or afraid. I stop. I clear my mind and I speak this passage of Scripture:

For I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

This is the word of God. And what I've discovered is that when I rest on the word of God. I'd say this three times out loud. I use it as an offensive weapon against fear, against disappointment, against destructive thoughts. God gives me peace. In fact, I've made it a habit in my life.

Every day I get up. I do the best I can. This may shock you. I get things wrong a lot of days. But I do my best. I pray. I rely on God. I honour Him. And you know what, that means I'm one of His kids. And that means I can rely on Him.

And I have a number of Scriptures. Some of them I've memorised. I don't find it easy to memorise them. Some of them I have on my mobile phone. One that I have memorised is Mark, chapter 11, verses 22 to 24:

Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, be taken up and be thrown into the sea and if you do not doubt in your heart but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.’

I go to God’s word, these particular Scriptures that speak powerfully to me and encourage me again and again and again and again. In the times when it's scary. In the times when I'm dejected and all I want to do is sit there and mope. I have disciplined myself to say, "No, I am not going there for I can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens me."

And the more I do this, the more I find myself able to do all things that God calls me to do. Through Him who strengthens me is absolutely the most important thing that I know about living the life that's free from fear and worry.

When the company you work for is retrenching people. When you lose your job and think you might lose your house. When your wife or you husband's had an affair. And I know there's someone listening today who's been through that. When it feels like the sky is caving in.

Let me tell you this. Philippians 4:13 says that you:

Can do all things through Him who strengthens you.

The most important thing I know about dealing with fear is to fill your mind and your heart with the word of God because it has a healing power. It builds your faith. It changes your outlook. It is the stuff of healing and transformation.

Go grab some Scripture verses that really speak powerfully to you. Put them on some cards or in your mobile phone or memorise them. Go to them again and again and again. I tell you something, if you do this just for a week or two, you will learn what Paul learned through the school of hard knocks. That:

You can do all things through Him who strengthens you.

God does not want us to be afraid. God has not stopped speaking. His word is here for us to use. Not to leave on a dusty shelf somewhere.