Win Over Worry

Last Saturday’s sermon was a timely reminder that God is my Jehovah Jireh, He has a plan for me and His wisdom is higher. He will calm the storm for me.

The sermon scriptures were from Matthew 6:25-34:

“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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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, O you of little faith? So 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. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

The sermon outline:

I. Worry Pays a Price
A. Worry affects sleep, alters brain chemistry, affects cancer recovery.
· Constricts arteries and decreases blood flow.
· Homes-Rahe stress test: Predictor of physical illness within two years.
· Loved one dies, stress and worry: seven times the possibility of dying within one year.

B. Top stressors: financial and career, medical needs, relationships, loss issues.

II. Perspective Determines Response
A. Anticipate worst – drains all energy and courage!
· Israelite spies: We are like grasshoppers in their sight!
· Elisha and servant: Those with us are more than those against us!
· Dense fog covers seven blocks, 30 metres deep: less than one glass of water.
· Dog worries a bone. Looks for meat but finds little. Buries bone, digs it up and gnaws on it again. Repeats
· Yet 97% of worries do not happen!

B. Negative thinking leads to negative performance – self-fulfilling prophecy.

C. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

III. Win Over Worry!
A. Stop Worrying! (Three times) Matthew 6:25, 31, 34
1. Worrying does not help – it only drains you.
· Health: Cause you to live longer? Or, add height? (verse 27)
· Finances: Material gain and basic necessities.
· Loss: Make up your mind not to worry beforehand – Luke 21:14-15 “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.”

2. STOP. Read Philippians 4:6-8 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

B. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness. Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
1. Trust in God (get the BIG picture). Psalm 37:3 (“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”), 1 Peter 5:7 (“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”), Isaiah 26:3 (“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”)

2. Delight in Him Day to Day! (Live in the present) Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
· Declare His goodness. Each day has enough trouble.
· God holds tomorrow and forgives the past.
· The future is not here and the past is gone forever.

3. Commit Your Way to the Lord! (Make Plans!) Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:…”
· Give yourself permission to worry! Set a time!
· Anticipate alternatives, write them down, plan action.
· Decide and do not look back.

4. Be still before the Lord (Rest & Release) Psalm 37:7 “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.”