Worry
Notes
Transcript
Build Connection
As many of you know I have an older brother. He has been through a lot in the last 7-8 years of his life. Dealing with depression, alcoholism, loneliness and a host of other issues.
A few days ago, it was Thursday evening, I got a call from my Aunt that he had been missing for almost 24 hours. One of my friends asked if I was concerned and I said yes, but what can I do about it except pray?
It is situations like this that can lead us to do something that is not helpful, in fact, research shows it is actually bad for you. It’s called worry.
I am happy to say he is safe and sound and he is hopping on a bus this morning from Seattle to move to Shenandoah. He is going to be staying in one of the apartments next to our house.
Create Tension
First lets look at what is different between concern and worry…
First lets look at what is different between concern and worry…
Concern transitions into worry when it becomes an intense, persistent, and often unproductive focus on potential problems or negative outcomes, leading to anxiety and distress. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Concern: Is a natural and healthy response to potential problems or challenges, often prompting proactive measures and problem-solving.
Worry: Is a state of unease or anxiety, often characterized by excessive and repetitive rumination about potential negative outcomes, things that are beyond our control, and often leads to a feeling of being overwhelmed.
The Shift: The difference lies in the nature of the focus: concern is about addressing a specific issue, while worry is about the anticipation of potential problems.
Examples:
Concern: "I'm concerned that my child is struggling in math, so I'm going to schedule a meeting with their teacher."
Worry: "I'm worried that my child will fail math and won't be able to get into a good college."
Concern: “I’m concerned that our marriage is heading in the wrong direction, so I am trying to get us into marriage counseling.”
Worry: “I’m worried that my spouse doesn’t care about our marriage and we are going to get a divorce.”
Concern: “We are not going to have enough money to pay our bills, so we need to watch how we spend money.”
Worry: “We never have enough money to pay our bill, we are going to run out of food or get kicked out of our home.”
While praying in the Garden Jesus was concerned with what he was going to have to face on the cross, but he was not worried about it!!!
While praying in the Garden Jesus was concerned with what he was going to have to face on the cross, but he was not worried about it!!!
Concern points us to hopefulness, worry only leads to hopelessness!
Because concern produces an action to help the situation, it points us to a hopeful solution.
Because concern produces an action to help the situation, it points us to a hopeful solution.
Because worry leads to a mental retelling of possible negative outcomes, it leads to hopelessness!
Because worry leads to a mental retelling of possible negative outcomes, it leads to hopelessness!
What about Fear that we talked about last week? What is the difference between fear and worry?
Fear is a natural, immediate response to a perceived threat, while worry is a more prolonged and often hypothetical unease about potential future problems. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Fear:
Definition: A strong, immediate emotional response to a specific, present or imminent danger.
Trigger: A clear and present danger, real or perceived.
Physiological Response: The body's "fight or flight" response, including increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and muscle tension.
Example: Seeing a snake and immediately feeling scared.
Worry:
Definition: A state of unease or anxiety about something that might happen in the future, often involving rumination and catastrophizing.
Trigger: Anticipation of a potential threat or problem, often vague or hypothetical.
Physiological Response: Can include similar symptoms to fear, but may also include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances.
Example: Constantly worrying about a test you haven't studied for, or about a potential job loss.
Worry is different that concern and Fear…
I want to deal with what people worry about…
Money and Finances
Health and Safety of loved ones
Job and career worries
Relationship problems
Appearance and weight worries
World events and politics
If you worry about these things God has some news for you…
What does the Bible say about worry?
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Jesus deals with worry by telling us not to worry and gives us reasons why we shouldn’t worry.
He tells us not to worry about the necessities of life for God will take care of these things.
Caution the is something we need to understand if we expect God to take care of these things…
Matthew 6:24 “24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
If we are serving Jesus we have nothing to worry about, if we are serving money…that’s something to worry about!
So Jesus says: don’t worry about your needs, worry won’t add anything to your life. Seek God’s kingdom and you will have all you need. Don’t worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will produce worry in itself.
Provide Solution
So, how do we overcome Worry?
Believe God will take care of all we need! - vs 33.
Trust God’s word over your own thoughts - Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Seek God with a thankful heart. - Philippians 4:6–8 “6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Encourage Change
Jesus when discovering someone was filled with worry pointed them in the right direction.
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Instead of worrying…Worship!
