We all face dilemmas in which circumstances point us in one direction, but our consciences point us in a different direction. At times, we ignore the tug of our consciences and sell ourselves on a questionable decision. King David found himself in such a position, and his example can help us navigate our own dilemmas.

Perhaps nothing characterized the life of Jesus more than his pursuit of people whose lives and lifestyles did not look like his. If we fail to listen to people who don't experience the world the way we do, we will never bear their burden.

How is your stress level these days? Are you on edge? Frustrated? Worn down? Anxious? Is your soul burned with cares? We've all been there. Some of us have sought the help of a counselor, psychiatrist, or doctor and have found a measure of relief from anxiety as a result. But even then, there are still things only God can alleviate.

You may not be able to avoid anxious thoughts from time to time, but you don't have to live in the prison of anxiety. In Philippians 4:8, the Apostle Paul gives us another powerful tool that, when used, will help us rid our hearts of perpetual anxiety.

To this point in our study of Philippians 4:4-9, Paul has been assuring us of God's character: his sovereignty, mercy, and presence. In Philippians 4:6, the conversation shifts and now it is our turn to act on these realities.

Anxiety is nothing new. King David, Paul, and even Jesus experienced anxiety. While we live in a day when anxiety is on the rise, there are things we can do to lessen our anxiety. The Apostle Paul addressed this very issue and gave the church in Philippi instructions on how we can win.