We continue our series of “Escape” by looking at another area that keeps us from experiencing the freedom Jesus’ coming and rising offer us. The last few weeks we have spoken about escaping bad decisions, the shame/guilt that accompanies them, trading religion for relationships, traps of spirituality and even selfishness.
A number of years ago now, I was in a pastoral care class which gave practical advice on how to handle some of life’s most horrendous situations. I will never forget the moment I lost my cool in class. It was a small group in which we would read the case study of pastoral call and then role play our counseling. It was helpful to be exposed to the situations and many have come about. However, on this day, the scenario had to deal with losing a loved one and how to counsel the parent’s concern about their child’s eternal fate. The pastor in training said, in the role play, to grieving parents, “I understand your pain and concern. However, the scriptures teach us we shouldn’t worry, we just need to trust God in these situations.” The comment struck me as so uncaring. I know the bible says “don’t worry over 100 times. However, to say “don’t worry and trust in God” in that situation felt like using a christian bumper sticker phrase as some spiritual band-aid.
Thankfully, we have the scriptures to look through to find solutions. This morning I’d like to begin with Jesus' words and then move to one of the most quoted scriptures on the topic of worry and fear. So if you wouldn’t mind opening your bible to Matthew 6:25-34.
This is part of a much larger sermon by Jesus, referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. A famous treatise to help us in living a JOY filled life. Jesus Has just shared a series about giving, the disciplines and the reward that awaits those who believe. He then shares,
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
The point is clear. worrying about the things of this world is futile. One definition of worry is to allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. It is to bask in fear. The acronym for FEAR is future events as real or false evidence appearing real. Now, some preachers and teachers will tell you any fear or worry is a lack of faith. While partially true, it falls short of the full teaching of scripture.
Proverbs 22: 3 NIV states: The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Or from the NLT translation it says, A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
The full counsel of God says on occasion a little worry or concern is good. In fact, God gave us a mind so we can sense danger and judge situations so that we could survive in a hostile world. In Paul’s letter to one of his church plants in a corinth, he shares his fear and concern for those he once ministered with. 2 Corinthians 7:5-7, the greatest example of fearless sharing of the gospel states:
For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
Paul owns his fear publicly. He was worried. In the same way he was worried for those in Corinth. However, I don’t want you to miss this. Paul’s fear was erased by God through the physical intervention of another person. Titus was sent to help the Corinthian church get back on track and then sent back to help Paul. Paul’s worry for them included a response to their needs and His.
The scriptures are clear: While we can’t always control our feelings, we can control our responses.
Jesus had to deal with worry. His time in the Garden before his death is probably the best example. He went before the Father. He asked the disciples to join him in prayer and to watch for the coming of the guard. He was so concerned, he literally sweat blood. He prayed for the cup to be removed and even though He may have wanted to call down a legion of angels to protect Him, He remained obedient. In so doing, He shows us that worry and stress are not the problem, it's our response.
So how can we respond well to the worry and fear that creeps into our lives. Let’s jump back into the scriptures to another letter written by Paul to the church in Philippi. He was writing from prison to another one of his church plants who was dealing with false teachers and disunity in the group. He was concerned and worried for them. Take a listen:
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
While we often hear of and memorize 4:6-8. However, when you add verse 9, we have a full picture of how we can deal with worry, anxiety and fear in our life.
First, reducing worry, anxiety and fear happen as we pray. The words from verse 6 “in every situation, by prayer and petition” speak loudly. There are a lot of strategies to pray to God and they are helpful. However, the right formula will not get God to do what you want. Prayer strategies are to help us, not get God to do what we want. The best prayer to God is a simple straightforward telling God what you want. He knows what is on your heart so don’t try to butter him up thinking He needs your praise so He’ll like you more. He doesn’t need that. He only wants your heart so don’t be resistant to giving it by truthfully sharing what you need and really thanking him for what you’re grateful for. He loves to be in relationship with you so pray as often as you need to. It strengthens the relationship. Pray as much as you need to keep connected and at peace.
Second, we learn from this scripture that reducing worry, anxiety and fear in our lives happens when we keep the right focus. Verse 8 tells us “if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Whatever we focus on, determines what we see in the world around us. Ever bought a new care thinking you were the only one, only to see the care everywhere after that. We all know that all those cars that look like yours were not just purchased. What we focus on determines what we see. Additionally, what we focus on, tends to skew our perspective. During this political season I am blessed to know people on both sides of the political divide. They all have their source of information.
I remember 20 years ago when the internet had just started coming to the forefront of our lives, a friend said he wasn’t interested in getting his news from the internet. I asked why? I talked about the advantage of technology as well as the algorithms that would make getting more info. He said he wasn't interested because when he gets the newspaper, there are hundreds of articles he might not say he was open to reading. However, due the ease at which he could read them over his breakfast or lunch, the more well rounded his worldview. He was fearful the internet would begin to eliminate the fringe articles to serve up what it knew he liked, narrowing his understanding of key ideas. I look back on that discussion today as a prophetic.
Today more than ever, we must focus on the facts. Not the ‘what ifs.’ Most of what we call news today has some degree of truth but often is slanted to a certain perspective whether that's republican, democrat, independent, anarchist, Christian Nationalist, religious right or left.
Did you know that science has proven, the more of anything we call news today creates a negative outlook on the world, the nation and our culture? To rid yourself of anxiety and worry, turn your digital device off and spend some time with God, then your family, friends or neighbors. I double dog dare you to try it.
Finally, we learn from verse 9, we must emulate our Christian forefathers if we are to eliminate worry and anxiety. The words are straightforward: “Put into Practice” means practicing obedience. Obedience in times of worry and fear brings confidence. We must be willing to trust the process if we are ever going to free ourselves from living worried or anxiety filled lives. Disobedience injects fear into our lives. When we know what we should do and refuse to act, we inject anxiety in our lives knowing there may be a consequence.
Let me give you a simple example. Whenever you act in a way contrary to what you know a “good” person is supposed to do, like speeding, cheating on a test, looking at something on the internet, there is an uncomfortableness. It starts with a feeling in the pit of your stomach. It moves your heart. Then you begin to wonder if anyone saw you. In that moment you feel alone because it's a sin. Sin separates us from God. I know we all fall short of the Glory of God everyday. However, if we kept our heart on Jesus by connecting and reconnecting to God all day, we would carry less worry or anxiety knowing God is there.
Creative: Prison Uniform
References:
Unstuck By Larry Osborne, Quest Bible commentary p1420-21, 1695-96, 1725-26, Bible Gateway, Blue Letter Bible Commentaries
