The Anxiety Of The Cross We Face

Matthew 26:36–46 (NASB 2020)

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” 39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass away unless I drink from it, Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”

Recognizing The Need To Isolate vs 36

Life’s stresses are always external which causes anxiety.

Jesus often demonstrated the need to get away.

The cross was more than enough to have Jesus in His humanity anxious.

Remember Not To Include everyone In Your Storms vs. 36-37

Jesus separated himself from the eleven, then chose Peter, James and John to come closer to share in this intimate moment of His grief.

Not everyone should have invitations to a person’s personal struggles and stresses.

Not everyone can handle the pressure of others anxiety and stress.

Not everyone has the maturity, empathy, and grace to walk with a person and maintain their integrity. (Keeping the brethren struggle private)

Anxiety can produce symptoms of Panic, Doubt and Cynicism, Frustration, Grief, Anger, Disappointment, Pain, and dysphoria.

Dysphoria is a symptom of deep dissatisfaction or profound sense of uneasiness. (This form of dysphoria is not a psychological disorder but a symptom)

Releasing Your Emotions Is Necessary (Preventative care) Vs 38

When shared properly it can relieve the pressures one deals with alone

It also helps address the mental and physical subside from immense stress and pressure.

This also should be used to keep ones integrity intact. (This is a two-sided experience) ****Don’t Tell everything****

We’re all human, not everyone you trust, trust you equally. Use wisdom regarding your experiences and struggles.

Give yourself privacy regarding your personal prayers (Talk to the Father privately, passionately, persistently)

That’s why personal prayers should not become public information especially during worship.

Reveal Your True Feelings In Your Prayers Vs 39, 42, 44

Express yourself honestly before the Father

Feelings

Frustrations

Fainting

Failures

Focus

Faith

***Put It out there for God to hear honestly***

Just a thought about prayer and praying. Praying for something doesn’t mean stop praying; but it does include praying more than just till it’s received or the situation changed, but praying until you change.

Realization That Your Focus Isn’t Always Mutually Shared Or Has The Same Energy Reciprocated Vs 40-41,43

Don’t be disappointed if your close friends don’t share the same passion you do.

We classify our friendships differently

Some are genuine

Some are for social (Environment associations that you’ve bonded with over time)

Some are mislabeled but around anyhow. This is the group that knows too much about you, messy, but you keep them around and sometimes you don’t want to bothered when they call or show up because they drain you spiritual.

Some are soldiers/Brethren (They give you God’s word, pour into you, pray with you and for you and are used by God to aid you)

You may find your friends in compromised positions and situations when you need them.

Your friends may have their own storms

Warning to be aware whether your in the storm or supporting one another in the storm, be prepared for the warfare.

Especially when there are times of spiritual Crisis

If you’re fighting together with those struggling, because you’re engaged in the fight by blood. (Family)

There is greater victory with more prepared people ready to fight and dressed for the battle

Rewards Of Victory Over Anxiety (Takeaway)

Trust God’s word as truth

Act in hope to God’s glory

Hebrews 11:1 NASB 2020

1 Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.

Know that God is with you

Isaiah 41:10 NASB 2020

10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Understand that it has a purpose to build maturity

Realize that this can produce a great Kingdom testimony for God’s glory

It encourages a fellow believer watching how you persevere

You model the Christ-like behavior that can create stronger faith to weak believers and create potential new converts

Understand that anxiety is an accepted response to abandoned Spiritual and embrace emotional responses to problems. Rethink trouble for TRUTH!

Apply Stronghold busters to your faith walk. (Find scripture to apply to your situations and recite them daily until it becomes a part of your daily testimony)