Your Words Matter: Worry/Anxiety

Why are we talking about this?

There are sometimes disagreements/misunderstandings of what Scripture says/means. This message series, “Your Words Matter,” is for us to dig deeper into the original language and hopefully get a clearer understand of God’s Word.

Worry and anxiety have been prevalent in culture for all time. Let’s look at how scripture uses these words and how we should respond.

What does it say?

We’re looking at 3 passages in the NT:

Jesus’ words:

Luke 12:22-26 “And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

Paul’s words:

Phil 4:4-8 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Peter’s words:

1 Peter 5:6-11 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

What does it mean?

Current definition of worry:

give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.

(of a dog or other carnivorous animal) tear at, gnaw on, or drag around with teeth.

a state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.

Current definition of anxiety:

a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

desire to do something, typically accompanied by unease.

(psychiatry) a mental condition characterized by excessive apprehensiveness about real or perceived threats, typically leading to avoidance behaviors and often to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate and muscle tension.

Original language use:

Hebrew - d a-ga(h) (de ah gah) - worry, concern

Greek - merimna (mEr im naa) - care; anxiety; worry

(such as in Luke 12, Philippians 4, & 1 Peter 5)

How should I respond?

3 points

Look to creation

Luke 12:27-28 “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”

When we look at how much God cares for even His flowers, how much more does He care for us who are His image bearers?

Rest in God’s provision for you

Luke 12:29-31 “And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

When we make God’s kingdom our focus rather than the world we can trust that He will provide our needs.

Fear Not!

Luke 12:32-34 ““Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Instead of focusing on what you have or don’t have, be generous with others and entrust your treasures to the LORD, thereby storing your treasures in heaven where they cannot be corrupted or taken.