Don't Worry - Be Happy! Series

THE EMOTION QUOTIENT – PART FIVE

“DON’T WORRY – BE HAPPY!”

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 - ©LARRY L. THOMPSON (2003)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Introduction

What do all of these things have in common?

• Fear to take action

• Cowardice to deal with difficult situations

• Withdrawal from daily life

• Depression and discouragement

• Distrust and unbelief

• A defeatist attitude

• A Family Crisis

• A Terminal Illness

• Unwise and harmful decisions

THE CAUSE OF GREAT ANXIETY in an individual’s life. After the events of 9-11, it is safe to say that we have become a nation even more controlled by the anxiety of the unknown.

Illustration of anxiety level in USA:

73% of Americans now believe they will become a victim of terrorism. The current poll shows 7 of 10 Americans saying they are either "very" or "somewhat" anxious that they or someone in their immediate family will become a victim of terrorist activity. This number compares with 42% who expressed that view in April 1995, shortly after the Oklahoma City bombing.

How can we as Christians deal with the reality of anxiety? How can we live without anxiety becoming a stronghold in our life, our family, our marriage, our work, our church and our nation?

I. THE REASON OF ANXIETY (1 Peter 5:7)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

In order for us to be freed from the bondage of anxiety we must first examine the reasons for the apprehension in our lives.

a. IMPROPER EVALUATION OF OUR SITUATION

We classify all of our problems as situations in which we anticipate anxiety rather than opportunities to see the hand of God in our lives. The simple fact is that we insist on clinging to our difficulties. We refuse share our problems with other members of our Christian family. Even more tragic we do not share our problems with God. Is it any wonder why we feel so overwhelmed by the stronghold of the emotion of anxiety so often?

Holding onto your anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its SORROW, but it does empty today of its STRENGTH. Embracing your anxiety does not make it possible for to you escape the evil; however, it does render you unfit to cope with the evil you may face.

b. INABILITY TO EMBRACE GOD’S STRENGTH

When we hold onto our anxiety we rob ourselves of the blessing of Divine assistance. We fail to embrace or believe the miracle power of God available to us as Christians. We try to face every situation that brings cause for alarm in our life as though we can only have victory if we face the situation with our own power and human reason.

Every problem in your life is an opportunity to prove God’s guidance, His love, His provision and His grace. The fact remains that when we attempt to solve our problems on our own we normally find that matters get worse instead of better.

It is the will of God to lift your burden from your life. God wants us to give Him the anxiety which fills our life and torments us. God knows everything. He knows your sins. He knows your pain and hurt. He knows your needs. HOWEVER, He is waiting for you to come to Him. WHY? Because UNTIL YOU COME TO HIM AND CAST YOUR ANXIETY UPON HIM YOU HAVE NOT DEMONSTRATED YOUR OBEDIENCE AND FAITH THAT HE WILL HONOR HIS WORD!

God wants you to give Him all of your anxiety. God cares for you! God has a deep love for you. He created you. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows all of your failures as well as your fears. He loves you in spite of it all. He is now calling you to enter His love and trust Him with your greatest worries.

II. THE REWARD OF ANXIETY (Prov. 12:25)

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.”

The first reward of you banking anxiety into your life is…

a. INCREASE IN MORE ANXIETY

Never forget the “Law of the Harvest!”

• You reap what you sow

• You always reap more than you sow

• You never reap until you sow

Who wants to sow anxiety in your life only to know you are going to grow an even great crop of anxiety? Anxiety is worthless and the only dividends anxiety pays is the emotional burden that robs you of all that God intended for you to be in His strength. There is zero value in worry. It does nothing good for us. The words of Jesus in the great Sermon on the Mount express this truth completely: Matthew 6:27 (NIV)