How To Win Over Worry Series

How To Cope with Life’s Struggles (Part 7)

HOW TO WIN OVER WORRY

Matt. 6:25-34

1. DEFINITION OF WORRY

A. Worry is the anxious care that comes from assuming a responsibility which we are incapable of discharging.

B. Worry is being at war with one’s self.

·(Prov 12:25) An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

C. Worrying is choosing not to trust God.

·(Psa 37:1-8) Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; … Trust in the LORD and do good; … Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: … Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.

2. CAUSES OF WORRY

A. … a disturbing situation for which one must find a solution.

B. … a disturbing situation over which one has no control.

C. … the minor problems of daily life.

·(Isa 12:2) Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

3. EFFECTS OF WORRY

A. Worry has physical effects.

B. Worry has mental effects.

C. Worry has spiritual effects.

·(Psa 56:3) When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

D. Worry has practical effects.

·(Luke 21:34) "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.

4. EVALUATION OF WORRY

A. Most things we worry about never happen.

B. Anticipation is often worse than the experience.

·(1 Cor 10:13) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

C. Keep your focus on Christ, not on your problems.

·(Heb 12:1-2) … let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

5. REMEDY FOR WORRY

A. Accept the Father’s values.

·(Mat 16:26) What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

·(Luke 12:23) Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

B. Receive the Father’s provisions.

·(Mat 6:26) Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

·(Phil 4:19) And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

C. Consider the Father’s power.

·(Psa 68:19) Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

D. Regard the Father’s family.

·(Mat 6:32) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

·(Mat 7:11) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

·(Luke 12:6-7) Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies ? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

E. Remember the Father’s promises.

·(Isa 41:17) "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

·(Mat 6:33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

F. Obey the Father’s command.

·(John 14:1) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.

·(Phil 4:6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

·(1 Pet 5:7) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.