God's Answer For Anxiety

"Victory Over Worry"

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Pr. 3:5,6

REFLECTION: In Luke 10:38-42, Martha, like many of us, allowed her anxiety to reach a breaking point. Note her reactions -

1. She assumed Jesus didn’t care (v. 40) “Lord, dost thou not care…”

2. She blamed Mary for being irresponsible (v. 41) “my sister hath left me to serve alone”

Anxiety-prone people often blame others for their situation.

3. She tried to work things out her own way. (v. 40) “Bid her therefore that she help me…”

"careful" – anxious through distractions that pull you apart.

"troubled" – crowded and disturbed.

DIRECTION: How can we “choose the good part” in a world that pulls us apart and crowds us with responsibilities? Proverbs 3:5,6 provides the answers for us. These verses provide a command that involves action as well as attitude.

1. WINNING OVER WORRY INVOLVES:

A. OUR RESPONSIBILITY. (Revealed by the first three verbs of this passage) NOTE the four references to “thine or thy” in these two verses!

1) TRUST in the LORD with all thine heart”

a) Trust:

(1) Definition: (baw-takh') to hide for refuge, be confident or sure:--be bold (confident, secure, sure).

> Application: Totally dependent and submissive to God.

b) Heart:

> Definition: (labe) the feelings, the will and even the intellect.

> Application: My soul or center of my being.

NOTE: A divided heart has no guarantees from God. James 1:6-8

2) “LEAN not unto thine own understanding.”

a) Lean not:

(1) Definition: (shaw-an') to support one's self or rely on.

(2) Application: I should not rely or support myself totally on myself and my understanding. (1 Cor 1:21)

b) Understanding:

> Definition: (bee-naw') knowledge, understanding, or wisdom.

> Application: I should not give my own opinions preeminence.

(Is 55:6-8)

3) In all thy ways acknowledge him.

a) In all thy ways:

(1) Definition: (deh'-rek) A course of life or mode of action.

(2) Application: In the major directions and the minor decisions of life.

Note: Minor decisions often set major directions.

b) acknowledge him:

> Definition: (yaw-dah') to know, observe, recognize, comprehend and be familiar with.

(2) Application: I must seek and submit to God’s design in every decision and direction.

> "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments." (Ps 119:9, 10)

B. GOD’S RESPONSIBILITY. (Revealed in the last verb of this passage.)

1) He shall direct thy paths.

a) Direct thy paths:

(1) Definition: (yaw-shar') to make straight or even, pleasant, and prosperous.

(2) Application: God will remove the barriers and prepare a way for me that is plain, pleasant and prosperous.

CONCLUSION: We, like Martha, often get things backwards. We want God to trust us to

“direct our own paths.” This will always result in eventual frustration and fruitlessness. Trust is both an action and an attitude. We choose to trust God in the daily events of life and this

cultivates or produces a “Trusting Heart” or an attitude of Trust.

==> IS PROVERBS 3:5,6 STILL RELATIVE TODAY? (2 Cor. 1:20)

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."

==> WILL GOD WILL DO HIS PART IF WE DO OUR PART?

God will be debtor to no man, but the primary responsibility is on us!

“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;" (Titus 1:2)

==> CAN GOD CAN HANDLE OUR PROBLEMS BETTER THAN US?

God alone can see what’s before us and is uniquely qualified to “direct” or prepare our paths.

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Pet 5:7)

APPLICATION: "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"Whatsoever he saith do it, though you may not understand;

Yield to him complete obedience, then you'll see his mighty hand.

Fill the pots with water, fill them to the brim;

He will honor all your trusting. Leave the miracle to him.

Bring to Christ your loaves and fishes, thou they be but few and small.

He will use the weaker vessels, give to him your "little" all.

Do not ask how many thousands, can be fed with food so slim.

Listen to the master's blessing. Leave the Miracle to him.

Oh ye Christians learn the lesson; are ye struggling all the way.

Quit your trying, change to trusting; Then you'll triumph every day.

Whatsoever he bid you do it, fill the pots up to the brim.

But remember it's his battle- Leave the miracle to him.