Online Sermons
Anxiety
The topic of our study this morning comes from one of my favorite passages: Philipians Chapter 4 – verses 6 & 7 – READ PASSAGE
I am sure that at one time or another (maybe currently) we have all dealt with anxiety. If we let our minds wander enough, it would be very easy to be overwhelmed with anxiety since none of us (except God) knows what the future holds.
Closely related to anxiety is worry. Let’s look at another favorite passage of mine that deals with this topic: Matthew Chapter 6 – verses 25 through 34 – READ PASSAGE
As prevalent as it is, anxiety or worry is one of the most counterproductive things we can do
Someone once said: “Worry is like a rocking chair it will give you something to do,
but it won't get you anywhere”
Another quote: “Worry is a fast getaway on a wooden horse”
So how should we as Christian’s approach the problem anxiety or worry? What can we do
about it?
A good start would be to have a better understanding of the problem:
A. WHAT IS ANXIETY?
1. Anxiety is distress about future uncertainties...
a. It is characterized by mental agitation and uneasiness
b. It may be mild or severe
2. It primarily has to do with what may happen in the future,
either near or distant
B. WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY?
1. Anxiety is caused by real or imagined threats to our well-being...
a. We feel vulnerable and inadequately protected against these threats
b. Threats such as social rejection, physical injury or
disease, poverty, death, and a wide range of other threats
2. Anxiety has three main elements...
a. Insecurity: When we feel that something bad is going to happen
b. Helplessness: How many times have you been in a situation where you feel there is
nothing you can do – I have to be honest that this one that I struggle with. I want to be
confident that I am doing everything to address a problem but there are some problems
that we are truly helpless to solve.
c. Isolation: Or maybe we feel that there is no one to help us
-- All of these causes may operate individually or in various combinations
3. We need to keep in mind that emotionally, they cause just as much anxiety if they are
imagined as if they were real
Anxiety is a form of fear, and must be recognized as such. But with an understanding of the problem, we can begin to deal with it as Christians
So how do we overcome the problem of anxiety and worry?
Most Importantly we must learn to put our trust in God.
1. The best remedy is to deal with the causes of the problems, not just the symptoms
2. What is the truth about insecurity, helplessness, and isolation with regard to the
Christian?
Let’s look at some passages that help us answer this question:
- While we as Christians may feel insecure, the reality is that we are very secure -
Proverbs 3:21-26: “My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble”;
Also, Hebrews 4:16 says: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”.
b. While we as Christians may feel helpless at times, the reality is that we have great help
as we see in Romans 8:31 which says “What then shall we say in response to this? If
God is for us, who can be against us?”
Also, Psalm 27:5 tells us: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”
c. We may also feel isolated, but the reality is that God is always at our side as we see in
Psalm 23:4 which says “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I
will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me;
Also, Hebrews 13: verses 5&6 tells us: “Keep your lives free from the love of money
and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never
will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?”
3. The remedy for anxiety and worry is complete trust and confidence in God's ability to deal
with anything that threatens us – Isaiah 40:31 says: “but those who hope in the Lord will
renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, the will walk and not be faint.”
In John 14:1 Jesus says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in
me.
Also, Philipians 4:13 says “I can do everything through him who gives me strength”.
a. The more we learn about God, the more we know His infinite power and His concern for
us – we see this in 1st Peter 5: verses 6&7, which says: “Humble yourselves,
therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for you”.
b. The avenue of prayer is open to the Christian as we see in 1st John 5:14 which says:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according
to his will, he hears us”.
c. God has promised peace of mind to those who are willing to commit their anxieties to
Him. We see this in John 16:33 where Jesus says “I have told you these things, so
that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world”.
1st Peter 4:19 says: “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will, should commit
themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
B. Let’s look now at some practical steps we can take:
First - Read the Bible
a. Committing ourselves to God's safekeeping requires that we grow in our knowledge of
God and love for Him
b. So, the most important thing we can do is study the Scriptures, pray, and meditate on
God's promises to His faithful people. Romans 15:4 tells us: “For everything that was
written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the
encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope
Second – We should: Be realistic
a. Peace of mind does not depend on solving all the problems, righting all the wrongs,
removing all the imperfections, or getting all we want - Ecclesiastes 8:16-17 says:
“When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe man’s labor on earth – his
eyes not seeing sleep day or night – then I saw all that God has done. No one can
comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man
cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really
comprehend it”.
b. Some things will not change and we need to be realistic enough to accept that
1) There are problems that have no solutions
2) There are situations that must simply be lived through
3) William James said: “The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook”
Proverbs 19:11 says: “A man’s wisdom gives him patience, it is to his glory to overlook
an offense”.
c. Realistic knowledge of our own limitations should cause us to relax and slow down
1) Besides the noble art of getting things done is the noble art of leaving things undone
2) According to Gladstone: “The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of
nonessentials”
d. We must learn to let go of some problems and allow the Lord to be in charge of them -
as we see in Proverbs 3:5&6 which says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make
your paths straight”.
Next, we should: Be flexible
a. Change is inevitable; we have got to be resilient, adaptable, adjustable. We see an
example of this by Paul in Philipians 4:11&12 which says: “I am not saying this
because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the
secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether
living in plenty or want”.
b. Under stress, if we can't bend, we will surely break
c. Our faith must be in Him who changes not
d. There are some changes we ought to resist without compromise; wisdom can tell us
when to change and when to hold our ground
Also, we should: Focus on the good cares and minimize the unnecessary ones
