Overcoming Life’s Problems
God’s Answer for Worry/Anxiety
FILING
INFORMATION:
2000001
Subject: attitude/faith
Preached Originally: 01/02/00 – Rapid City, SD
Introduction.
A. Series continues on overcoming Life’s problems. Hope you continue to enjoy the series.
1. Both this AM’s & PM's sermon will deal with anxiety. This lesson deal’s w/anxiety that confronts us as we live through daily trials/challenges.
2.
Tonight’s lesson
will serve as a lesson whereby the Christian can find hope as he prepares
himself to go to heaven.
B.
Worry
defined: to fell/express undue
care/anxiety; to manifest disquietude or pain; to be fretful.
1.
by worry we talk about a debilitating nagging sense of doom that:
a)
goes farther than
concern/sympathy
b)
does not involve
any remedial activity to solve real problem
c)
is characterized
by habitual, constant, churning of thoughts of despair.
2.
Read: The bottom line to worry from
bulletin.
C. All of us fall victim to anxiety.
1.
money related
2.
job, career
3.
new parents, etc.
4.
health, either of
ourselves or loved ones.
D. Tears at the soul – keeps us up at night; consumes our thoughts; causes stress. Robs us of peace & a sense of tranquility.
1. Univ. of Wisconsin study:
a)
40% of
worries: things that will never
happen
b)
30% of worries:
about things in past that can’t be changed.
c)
22% of worries:
about petty; needless things.
d)
Only 8% of
worries: about legitimate
concerns.
2. Mayo clinic stated that statistically 80-85% of their total case load were ill either in reality or artificially due directly to mental stress.
E. Bible has answer to anxiety.
1. Answer not simple. It is one that will work if only we will accept it.
2.
answer of the
Scripture confronts us w/an exact image of who we are & with the means by
which we may b/c what we need to be.
3.
Today’s lesson to
look at:
a)
Underlying problems
of worry/anxiety.
b)
Learning to
overcome it.
I. Underlying Problems of Worry/Anxiety.
A. Must realize that it is futile.
1.
does not add
anything helpful to your life.
2.
Mt. 6:27, 32.
a)
God knows what we
need! He will provide!
b)
Someone
said: like rocking chair. Keeps one busy; but they don’t go
anywhere.
3. Mk. 16:2-4 – women worried about stone being in way. Planned on anointing Christ’s body. Already moved.
B. Causes people to rely upon themselves.
1.
Boils down to
faithlessness. Trust yourself the motto of the world. Do this
only??? Lead to worry/anxiety!
2.
One who relies on
self only: No faith! Could Jesus say this about us? Has our faith been undermined? 4 times in Mt. He told the disciples
they had little faith.
a)
Mt. 16:8
1)
human reasoning
produces doubt! Pharisees missed
spiritual meaning of leaven. Caused doubt. Jesus: little faith.
b)
Mt. 14:31 –
doubt leads to/produces fear.
1)
Peter –
relied on himself. Doubt,….fear
– Lord, Save Me.
2)
Mt. 8:26 –
storm on sea. Sea
sways/swells. Fear rises. Save us Lord.
c) Mt. 6:30 – fear can lead us to anxiety! Depending on ourselves and our selves only can get us to this point!
3. Must learn to put our trust solely in God. He will guide us through to the end.
4.
Real faith lets
GOD rule from the heart! It
accepts His promises and His love/care and lives like we have the very BEST
Father!
C. Brings people to their former worldly state.
1. Mt. 6:32 – fall into habit of those w/o Christ.
2.
Eph. 2:11 –
Gentiles were w/o God.
a)
if we act like
those w/o God – then we do not really have the kingdom.
b)
carry same
concerns as those w/o God - we have more in common w/them – than children
of God. Bad company to be in.
3.
concerns about
material things are priority to those who do not have God.
4.
those who are in
God’s kingdom must know that material things are secondary to spiritual
concerns.
D. Deters one from Christian duty.
1.
Eph. 5:15-16
a)
can spend too
much time worrying that nothing gets accomplished.
b)
Duties neglected
w/Family; church; work; etc.
2. What were you worrying about year ago? What could you be worrying about year from now?
E. Directly opposes the commandments of God.
1.
Mt. 6:25, 31, 34
2.
See also: Phil. 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:7
II. Learning to Overcome Worry/Anxiety.
A. Set your mind to overcome worry.
1.
Abe Lincoln: I have been as happy as I have made
my mind to be.
2.
Happiness is in
our control! It is internally
– not externally influenced!
a)
Little girl
explaining why she happy today and not the other day: Today I pushed my thoughts around – and the other
day I let my thoughts push me around.
3. Prov. 4:23 – we have responsibility to ourselves to determine our state of mind. YOU control your conduct. YOU control your attitude in the things you do. YOU control your thoughts on how to handle problems.
4.
Give yourself to
God & be happy!
B. Set your mind to purposeful work.
1. ever been really busy? Chances are good that you weren’t worrying at the time.
2.
wise man once
said: He didn’t have time to
worry. He was too busy during the
day; and too sleepy at night.
3.
Idleness of the
hands = the devil’s workshop. Get
busy!
a)
get involved in
your family
b)
get involved in
your work around the house
c)
get involved in
the church – w/your brethren!
5. remember Mt. 6:33 – seek kingdom first! God will take care of us!
C. Reflect on God’s blessings.
1. God’s blessings have met our needs every time – if you will merely reflect on them!
2. His blessings & the consistency of them should put a quick halt to self pity & abnormal alarm!
3. Rejoice b/c of the way God has blessed you! Phil. 4:4
a) Phil. 4:11-13, 18
b) Could you say as Paul – Indeed I have all & abound.
D. Must master a life of prayer
1. Item on prayer in bulletin!
2. How is your prayer life? Are you communicating with God on a regular basis? Has He heard from YOU about YOUR problems/etc? Is prayer a top priority in your life?
3. Phil. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:17 – prayer = our communication w/deity.
a) Spurgeon: prayer like ringing a bell in heaven.
1) some barely tug at it.
2) Some pull rope only during time of emergency.
3) But Christians NEVER lose firm grip on the rope – they hold it boldly & pulls continuously w/all his might.
b) Psa. 37 – don’t fret – it only causes harm – Psa. 37:8
c) Encourage to read all of Psa. 37 – during times of anxiety.
E. Enjoy the peace of God – Phil. 4:7; Rom. 6:1-2
1. Enjoy the peace that comes by living in the grace of God.
2. How is this done?
a) Rom. 12:1-2 – by faithful Christian living/service.
b) Christians not have to worry about the things people in the world do.
3. Read; study; the book that God has given you! Rom. 15:4
4. Bury yourself in Christ! Col. 3:1-3. One who is in Christ is not as affected as the one outside.
a) submarine in stormy sea
b) Psa. 55:22
F. Control your mind – Phil. 4:8
1. Limit your thoughts to that which is reality. Speculation about what might have been or what could occur only leads to worry.
2. Think of righteous/honorable things. Have thoughts in accordance w/good/wholesome things.
3. Think in pure things. Don’t fill up mind with:
a) lust, envy
b) malice, resentment, jealousy.
G. Follow good people. Phil. 4:9
1. Don’t walk/follow after those who will lead you down path of sin.
2. Prov. 4:14-16
3. Look to: godly people; brethren; parents, etc.
H. Love those who trouble you.
1. Mt. 5:43-44
2. Rom. 12:20
3. Bear marks on your body for Christ – Gal. 6:16-17
Conclusion
A. What should be the primary concern of God’s people?
1. Mt. 6:33-34 – Put his kingdom first.
a) must get this kingdom in us
b) must get ourselves in the kingdom. Miss out??? Loose everything.
c) Remember: you represent His kingdom to a lost world.
B. We should only be worried if we are not a Christian
1. no blessings of peace
2. no hope of salvation
3. should be worried
C. If you = a Christian – are you letting Satan win battles in area of worry?
1. Could you be doing more for the Lord?
D. I N V I T A T I O N