I Have A Problem With... (4)

Philippians 4:6–7 (NASB 2020)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Worry

The Difference Between Worry And Doubt

Worry: The state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems. It is mental distress or agitation resulting from external environmental influences. (Condition)

Doubt: The Feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. The absence of faith (Position)

What the difference

Worry is the condition/state of what impacted you because of prolonged exposure.

Doubt is the position taken through your emotional response.

Though they have been identified as the same they are different. They are paternal twins, but clearly different.

The Disturbing Impact (Symptoms & Struggles)

Physical Consequences

Nervous System

Muscular Problems/Tension Headaches & Migraines

Immune Health

Heart Health

Stress Hormones increase-Blood Sugar overload

Intestinal problems

Your body tries to compensate for the reactions that your emotional decision affirmed. This accelerates the bodies response to eternal issues that were internalized.

Worry As An Idol

The problem becomes sovereign over the LORD GOD

Anxiety bookmarks us in the moment

The mental and emotional torment of anxiety weakens us physically

Too tired to pray earlier into times of trouble

Trapped without solution mean in our silence we entertain doubt.

Doubt fuels emotional overdrive and overload.

Overload of hormonal distress

Our testimony becomes double-minded

I Know God can, but

Our time in the trial becomes longer because of our emotional response not spiritual response

Prayers begin to sound like wayward beggars talking to God like he’s not our Father but a stranger who might help

The Display of Worry (A Biblical History)

The Biblical trail

Adam: Worried God would see his failure and being exposed

Abraham: Worried about how God would give him an heir

Isaac: Worried about his safety and lied just like his dad.

Jacob: Worried his brother Esau would kill him

Joseph: Worried he’d be forgotten in jail

Moses: Worried about his past because he murdered an Egyptian

Miriam worried about her brothers leadership ability

Aaron: Worried the crowd would overwhelm him and made an idol for worship

Esther: Worried about her safety about her people and her own well being approaching the king

Saul: Worried about being replaced as king of Israel

David: Worried about his restoration with God after his sin

Solomon: Worried about being his ability to rule

Elijah: Worried Jezebel was going to catch and kill him

Isaiah: Worried about his self-worth

Daniel: Worried about maintaining his faith and integrity under pressure of execution.

Matthew: Worried about his reputation and being hated while being a disciple

James & John: Worried about positions in eternity

Peter: Worried about Jesus prophesy and disappointing Jesus

Paul: Worried about getting around to minister to the gentiles and get to Rome

You and I have plenty of company and we’re not alone when it comes to worry

Why is that? We do the following: We think…

My problems are to big for God to handle

I’m not important enough for God’s love, help and deliverance

God won’t care for my in this situation

ALL LIES we tell ourselves and more.

Understand There is only one person who can circumvent God’s plan for your life? Do you know who that is? (YOU).

All of this intermingled with doubt just makes the ongoing symptom grow worse. (The problem hasn’t changed)

The Deliverance process

There has to be an understanding that we really do have control over whether we worry or not. Recognizing that some people are more prone to worry than others, this isn’t a character flaw but a maturity development.

Addressing my worries daily by

Having alone time with God. Tell him about your worries of the day: (Scheduled and Unexpected things)

While in prayer ask the LORD GOD for wisdom in enduring and addressing concerns

Pray for God to restore our peace and confidence in HIM because doubt and worrying are fear centric.

2 Timothy 1:7 NASB 2020

7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Keep a journal

Write down the prayer request and worries that you are bringing to God

Write down the answer the LORD reveals to you and the date it is resolved

Write down any emotions about the process that need the reassurance of the word of God

Do nothing until the Lord gives you directions

Set Boundaries

Get fact and expert advice to prevent worrying unrealistically about a situation

Set deadlines to make decisions, rather than ruminating forever

Realize that you cannot please everyone all the time (Especially in times of crisis)

Learn to say no…(Not all input or involvement is healthy)

Learn to think differently

Delegate responsibilities

Give yourself permission to relax and make room for mistakes

Eat, Sleep, and exercise properly (Take care of yourself)

Not to take things so seriously, learn to laugh

Declutter your life, schedule and to-do-list

Mentally put your worries in a box and put them away.

Matthew 6:34 NASB 2020

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

Luke 12:22–23 NASB 2020

22 And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

The Divine Promise

Philippians 4:6–7 NASB 2020

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading 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 minds in Christ Jesus.

Pray without ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 NASB 2020

17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

As you’re praying

Make your emotional appeal to the Lord, as life changes or when life changes come

Be thankful as your praying and appealing to the LORD GOD

What comes with this?

The peace of God will surpass your understanding

It will Guard your heart (Emotions)

It will Guard your Mind (Intellectual Influences)