Born To Be Wild Series

You were born to be wild and free in Jesus.

Worry leads to unhappiness and dissatisfaction with our lot in life.

And this worry comes from only one source – a lack of faith.

That’s why Jesus said “O ye of little faith.” Matthew 6:30

Have you ever felt anxious and worried.

So have I.

I know I’ve struggled with doubt and fear when life doesn’t go as it should.

And Jesus says to you… and to me – Do not worry.

Why?

Because your heavenly FATHER KNOWS you need them.

“… do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” Matthew 6:31-32

Your heavenly FATHER KNOWS you NEED these things.

And God won’t leave you anymore than He left the Israelites in the wilderness.

ILLUS: Do you realize that God NEVER left the Israelites while they were in the desert? I’ve read about how those folks behaved while they were wandering about – how they grumbled and complained and rebelled. How they made life difficult for Moses and constantly doubted God’s faithfulness. Frankly, if I’d have been God… those folks would STILL be wondering in the desert. I’d have left them behind longggg ago.

But God didn’t.

God never left them, nor forsook them.

Do you realize how comforting that is? If He didn’t leave those losers to bake in the desert (and they really deserved it) he’s not going to leave you or me either. Even when we don’t feel that our faith is as strong as it should be, or that we’ve totally lived up to what God wants of us – He won’t leave us.

But, how do I fix this “worrying” thing?

How do I stay free from the doubts and the fears of this world?

Well, let me turn you to my favorite Bible passage on this:

Turn with me to Philippians 4:4-13

In this passage, God tells us how to control our doubts and fears. This advice won’t remove the source of our anxieties, but it will blunt their power to control us.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

Why do parents repeat themselves to their children? They’ll say things like “If I told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times…” Why repeat themselves?

Because they’re kids aren’t paying attention. They’re not doing what they’ve been told to do. So here in Philippians 4:4 Paul repeats himself, because Christians tend to not pay attention to this vital command: REJOICE. Let me tell you again: rejoice.

It’s the core to our dealing with doubt.

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5

The Lord is near. He hasn’t left you. He’s not going to leave you. He’s there to hold you through all the things that demoralize and destabilize your life.

“Do not be anxious about anything (there it is again – “do not worry”), but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6