Dealing With Anxiety

Key Passage: Matthew 6:25-34

Supporting Scriptures: Psalm 37:7-8 | Romans 8:32 | Romans 10:13 | Philippians 4:4-7 | 1 Peter 5:7

Summary

We live in an age of anxiety. Whether it’s personal concerns, family matters, financial needs, health issues, governmental policies, or global conditions, we all have reasons to worry and fret. We take our worries to bed with us, wake up with them, and carry them around with us all day. This is not how God wants us to live.

Sermon Points

Anxiety is not just a contemporary problem. It was also an issue for those who lived in Old Testament times. By the time the Roman Empire ruled the world, there were plenty of reasons for anxiety. Jesus’ solutions sound so simple, yet we still struggle to apply them.

The Causes of Anxiety

Feelings of inadequacy.
Our attempt to change things we cannot control.
Our failure to trust God to provide our needs.
Misplaced priorities.
Trying to live tomorrow today.

To overcome worry, we ought to adopt an attitude of joy and thankfulness.
There are so many things for which we can thank God. When we focus on these things, God’s peace guards our hearts and minds no matter how difficult our circumstances may be.

The call of God never takes us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.
He has promised to meet all our needs and to guard us with His peace and joy. The choice is ours.

Summary

Anxiety is a problem that has troubled us through the ages. Fear in the face of critical situations is natural. However, much of our anxiety is associated with everyday problems. God wants to settle our hearts in such a way that we can live with the stresses of life yet still experience His peace and joy.

Copy Sermon Outline

Matthew 6:25-34

25 For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

31 Do not worry then, saying, `What will we eat?' or `What will we drink?' or `What will we wear for clothing?'

32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Psalms 37:7-8

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

Romans 8:32

32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?

Romans 10:13

13 for WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7

7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Aired On 16 Aug 2015

Dealing With Anxiety

Everywhere we turn, people are worried about something. But anxiety and frustration are not part of God’s plan for our lives. In this sermon, Dr. Stanley uses Scripture to explain how anxiety may be natural but, left in our hands, can grow into a much bigger problem. Anxiety should be a passing thing—placed in the hands of the Father who knows all things.

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