Faith over fear: the cure for Anxiety

Open: The 2024 Presidential election is only 9 days from now and it is the dominant topic of discussion. Clerk at the Baymont in Muskegon and I talked about it last Tuesday. She was already anxious about the increase in the cost of living since the pandemic, and she was very concerned about life in post-election America. She was disgusted with both candidates and was unsure of the future. I was able to share with her that my hope is not in EITHER candidate, but rather in Jesus.

Transition: We should not be surprised when unbelievers display high levels of fear and anxiety concerning the uncertainties of the future. It should, however, be alarming to us when believers have the same basic anxiety and concerns. For those who name the Name of Christ there should be a more settled trust as an outward witness to the world. Jesus addressed this issue in today’s text, so let us look at it together:

READ the Text: Matthew 6:25-34.

Those who are focused on the Eternal should not be anxious about the temporal (Matt 6:25)

Explanation: Verse 25 begins with a “therefore,” which directs the reader to the previous declaration. Jesus has set forth principles for dealing with material wealth and the upshot for the KC was that our focus was to be on the Eternal. Jesus told His followers NOT to store up wealth on this earth, and He declared the impossibility of serving God and money. His followers were NOT to trust in the riches of this world that can (and will) be taken away.

What follows in v. 25 is directed at the same people. Jesus is pointing out the inconsistency of those in the Kingdom who are anxious about the routine issues of everyday life when they declare themselves to be Jesus followers.

Jesus illustrates His point by talking about the birds of the air and the flowers. Neither birds or plants are valuable when compared to a human life, but God makes provision for them. If God provides for them, how much more will He provide for us?

Considerations for us:

1. God provides, but we must still work for the basic necessities of life

Jesus points out that God feeds the birds, and He does so. We are told to consider these things, so HOW does God feed them? Does He put out heavenly bird-feeders which are supernaturally re-filled every morning? Or do the birds hunt and gather their own food from the resources that God provides?

So it is with us. We are called to trust in God’s provision for food, clothing, and shelter, and we are called to labor for it at the same time. There is no lack of faith in having a job to earn money for living. God gave Adam a job prior to the Fall (Gen 2:15), so work is NOT part of the curse.

2. Trusting in God’s provision does NOT mean that we will be free from trouble or persecution.

Kingdom citizens are not exempt from the normal sufferings of life in a fallen world. We who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit have the ability to deal with sufferings in a way that is different from the world. Having biblical expectations about this will allow us to live without frustrations

3. Worry is sinful. (Matt 6:30)

When we worry we display a lack of faith in the goodness of God.

Worry demonstrates a negative witness to the world.

If Christ-followers demonstrate the same level and type of anxiety as unbelievers, then we simply confuse them. We may not handle every detail correctly in a crisis, but our response should reflect who we belong to.

The cure for Anxiety and Worry is to put God first in our thoughts and actions (Matt. 6:33-34)

Explanation: Jesus is speaking to believers - those who are already citizens of His Kingdom. Even to them a reminder is necessary that we are to actively seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Do NOT miss this: Jesus tells people who are in the Kingdom to seek first the Kingdom. Kingdom citizens have responsibility in this area - Jesus does NOT automatically / supernaturally keep us focused on that which is righteous and holy. We must continually place our attention and energy on submitting to His Lordship.

Romans 12:1–2 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Argument: As we focus our attention and energies on the King’s business, we will be less caught up in our own affairs. Obedience is not only our duty as KC’s, it will free us from anxiety. Doing as we are commanded and commissioned grants us relief from our own agendas and concerns.

Illustrate: A private in the Army just follows orders. He doesn’t have to be concerned about strategy or objectives - he leaves that up to his commanding officers.

Application: Examine the negatives of worry and contrast them with the positives that are ours when we simply trust Jesus with the outcomes.

Negative Effects of worrying

Worrying is sinful, so a believer has added guilt when he or she engages in worry

Negative health effects

It doesn’t change the outcome (cf Matt 6:27)

Makes one ineffective - worry paralyzes, concern motivates

Displays a lack of trust in a Sovereign God who loves you

Positive ways to trust God (and to stop worrying)

Reflect on God’s past provisions

Admit you have no control over the situation

Pray specifically about the situation (Phil 4:6)

Focus on serving God in the NOW (Matt 6:34)