The document discusses how to have a stress-free life by focusing on Christ rather than circumstances. It discusses how the apostle Paul, while imprisoned, chose to rejoice in God despite hardships. Paul understood that God causes all things to work together for good and is sovereign over all. He saw positive results from his struggles, as it allowed him to spread the gospel. The document encourages focusing on God, considering positive results rather than pain, and dwelling on God's sovereignty rather than man's will to have a stress-free life.

2. HOW TO
HAVE A
STRESS-
FREE LIFE

3. If you had the chance to
change your
financial, physical, spirit
ual, or social
circumstances, would
you?

4. FOCUS ON CHRIST
RATHER THAN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.

5. When Paul wrote to the
Philippians, he had many reasons
to complain. He was wrongfully
imprisoned, chained to a Roman
soldier at all times, and threatened
with execution. However, Paul
rejoiced in the Lord and continued
to spread the gospel.

6. The entire book of Philippians is only 104
verses long, and in them, the name of
Jesus (or Christ) is mentioned fifty-five
times. Despite his hardships, Paul chose to
focus on Jesus and to rejoice. His troubles
allowed him to reach people who might
otherwise never hear the Word—the
Praetorian Guard, the Roman soldiers who
guarded the emperor—and to do so with
“all openness, unhindered” (Acts 28:30-31).

7. In Philippians 1:21, Paul states,
“For me, to live is Christ, and to die
is gain.” He had learned that,
whatever the result, he would win.
If they released him, he could
continue to preach, and if he died,
he would go to be with Christ.
Either way, he would rejoice!

8. Paul could have chosen self-
pity and complaint, but he
focused on Jesus Christ
instead. No matter how
difficult our circumstances,
we can make that same
decision.

9. DWELL ON THE
SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD,
NOT THE WILL OF
MAN.

10. Paul didn’t focus on Nero, the
emperor who could call for his
death, or the laws of Rome.
Instead, he remembered the
truth that God is sovereign; His
throne is in the heavens and
He rules over all (Ps. 103:19).

11. Paul understood “God causes all
things to work together for good to
those who love Him” (Rom. 8:28).
It doesn’t mean the Lord causes
negative circumstances; He allows
them so we can grow closer to
Him and learn to rely on our
heavenly Father for strength and
guidance.

12. We may not understand why
God allows certain things to
happen in our lives, but we
must remember He knows our
needs before we ask (Matt.
6:8), and we can always trust
He is working in our lives for
good (Phil. 2:13).

13. Instead of asking the Father
why something happened, we
should ask what we should
learn. Pain, difficulty, and
hardship gives God a way to
plow up our old hearts, to till
them like soil, and prepare
them for something good to
grow.

14. CONSIDER THE
POSITIVE RESULTS
RATHER THAN THE
PAIN AND LOSS.

15. Paul’s circumstances gave him a
ready audience for the gospel, the
soldiers who were with him every
moment of the day (Phil. 1:13). His
wrongful imprisonment also served
a purpose for other believers who
gained “courage to speak the word
of God without fear” (Phil. 1:14).

16. Paul could see the hand of God at
work in his circumstances, and it
led to an amazing season of
fruitfulness in his ministry. We
should always remember God is
still in control, working things out
according to His will.

17. Paul could see the hand of God at
work in his circumstances, and it
led to an amazing season of
fruitfulness in his ministry. We
should always remember God is
still in control, working things out
according to His will.

18. Paul’s struggles, and his reaction
to them, allowed the gospel to
be spread in the heart of the
Roman Empire. It also provided
us with the letters that serve as
the foundation of Christian
theology we study today.

19. CONCLUSION

20. Focusing on your
situation only
causes pain and
heartache.

21. Are you willing to
let go and live
above your
circumstances?

22. You can start by
raising your eyes
and focusing on the
One who loves you
and controls the
universe.