He Promises - Finding Freedom From Your Worries

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:25–34, 2 Timothy 1:7–11, Psalm 145:17–20

Introduction

Imagine you are a squirrel. That’s correct, I’m asking you to imagine you are a squirrel! You spend all day worrying about whether you'll find enough acorns for the winter. You fret and stress, running around in circles, but then you realize that you have a whole tree full of acorns right in front of you! By recognizing that your worry was unnecessary, you can relax and enjoy your time gathering acorns without the added anxiety.

How many of you are currently worried about something?

There is a lot to be worried about in our world right now isn’t there?

We worry about our kids: their safety, their friends, their mental and physical health.

We worry about the news: elections, economic uncertainty, international political situations.

Maybe we worry that Artificial Intelligence will take over the world.

There are many times in our lives when we tend to wander around aimlessly, worried just like our squirrel, trying to get all our little, and not so little, items that cause us so much stress and anxiety packed away in neat and tidy packages.

Work Deadlines: The pressure to meet deadlines at work can cause significant anxiety, especially when juggling multiple tasks.

Financial Concerns: Worrying about bills, debt, or unexpected expenses can lead to constant stress and anxiety.

Health Issues: Concerns about personal health or the health of loved ones can be a major source of anxiety.

Social Situations: Interacting with others, whether it's public speaking, attending social events, or meeting new people, can be anxiety-inducing for many.

Family Responsibilities: Managing family dynamics, caring for children or elderly relatives, and balancing home life can create anxiety.

Traffic and Commuting: Daily commuting, especially in heavy traffic, can be a stressful experience for many people.

Do any of these sound familar?

Statisticians at the University of Wisconsin have studied the things human beings worry about. They found that the average individual’s worries can be divided into four headings: First, there are the things that never happened, which constitute 40 percent of the worries. Second, there are things over and past that couldn’t be changed by all the worry in the world, and they are another 30 percent of the total. Third, there are petty worries and needless worries, which are 22 percent. Fourth, there are legitimate worries, and these are only 8 percent of the whole.

Anonymous

Have you ever felt better while worrying? I don’t think I ever have. But let me tell you a little secret. If we recognize futility of worry and cast ouranxieties on God, the truth is that God is actively involved in caring for our needs, thereby offering peace and strength to face life's uncertainties.

In fact worry demonstrates a lack of faith in God's goodness and provision. By surrendering worries to God, we can experience a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with Him and a transformed perspective on their circumstances.

Jesus represents the ultimate answer to our worries; He fulfills all our needs, as demonstrated in His earthly ministry, through His reassuring presence, and through His victorious power over sin and death.

So why should we minimize the worry in our lives?

· Worry has never changed anything for the good. Worry is poisoning our peace. Worry is killing our joy. Worry is stunting our spiritual growth

Think about it—Worry doesn’t have a single useful purpose. In fact, worry is like rocking in a rocking chair. It Gives you something do to, but you certainly aren’t going anywhere.

Worry never solved a problem!

Worry never paid a bill

Worry never helped you get healthier.

Worry never protected your child

Big Idea: Release your worries to God, who faithfully provides and empowers us to live boldly in faith.

1. Provision Prioritized over Panic

Matthew 6:25–29 NIV

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

A young couple was deeply concerned about their budget as they prepared for their first child. They worried about diapers, formula, and the cost of childcare. One day, while shopping for baby supplies, they saw a small bird feeding its chicks. It struck them how diligently God cares for His creation, even the little birds that did not worry about tomorrow. In that moment, they realized that if God cares for the birds, how much more will He take care of them as His beloved children? They chose to trust in God's provision instead of succumbing to worry.

Jesus directly addresses our tendency to worry about basic needs and compares them with God's care for the birds and lilies. This illustrates God's provision and care for us as His cherished creation. Worry can indicate a lack of trust in God's faithfulness. If we redirect our focus from earthly concerns to divine promises, rememberthat Christ Himself assured us of God's unwavering provision.

2. Peace in Pursuing His Kingdom

Matthew 6:30–34 NIV

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Picture a gardener tending to a beautiful garden, often fretting over crops during a dry spell. A wise neighbor notices and says, 'You know, the sun knows when to shine, and the rain knows when to fall. Just trust in the process!' Just like the gardener needs to trust the natural cycle, we, too, must trust God as Jesus instructs us to seek His kingdom first while He watches over our needs, assuring us that everything else will fall into place as it should.

Jesus challenges His followers to seek God's kingdom first, assuring us that God knows our needs and will meet them in His time. When we prioritize spiritual pursuits over material anxieties, we trust that our Heavenly Father is intimately aware of all we need. Jesus encourages faith over fear; thus, urging us to depend on God for daily needs and future plans aligns perfectly with Christ's teachings.

3. Power Over Persistent Fear

2 Timothy 1:7–9 NIV

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

In the early days of my faith, I struggled with anxiety about my future. I was constantly worried about what would happen next. However, as I began to lean into prayer and study God’s Word, I discovered passages about His provision and love. Gradually, I learned that releasing my fears to Him allowed me to experience His peace and empowerment. Fear can paralyze us, but through Christ, we gain the strength to move forward.

I encourage you to explore how God equips us not with a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. We are called to live boldly, without the paralyzing effects of worry, because of God's authority and empowerment through Christ. Our reliance on God’s provision and Spirit flourishes when we release control and fear, resting instead in His purpose and grace provided through Christ Jesus.

4. Promise Secured in Christ

2 Timothy 1:10–11 NIV

but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.

Jesus’ victory over death, as revealed through the gospel, provides the ultimate assurance that dispels all worries. This victory secures our future and shapes our present confidence in God's plan. We can rest in the completed work of Christ underscores that God's provision extends beyond physical needs to eternal salvation and assurance.

5. Praise for His Providential Care

Psalm 145:17–20 NIV

The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

In Psalm 145, the psalmist exclaims how God is near to all who call on Him, and His goodness is evident to all people. Imagine a child in a crowded room calling out for a parent. The parent responds immediately with love and care, as God does for us. Trusting in His character—His righteousness and kindness—gives us incredible peace and inspires genuine thankfulness, knowing we can always call on Him in need.

Conclusion

The assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ and the providential care of God. Jesus has conquered death and brought life and immortality through the gospel, providing ultimate assurance and security for us who believe. This victory gives us confidence in God's plan and underscores that God's provision extends beyond physical needs to eternal salvation.

God's righteous and faithful nature portrays God's nearness and readiness to respond to those who call on Him, likening it to a parent responding to a child's call. Trusting in God's righteousness and kindness brings peace and inspires thankfulness, knowing we can always rely on Him in times of need.

Jesus promises us that we don’t have to worry.

Release your worries to God, who faithfully provides and empowers us to live boldly in faith.

Much that worries us beforehand can afterwards, quite unexpectedly, have a happy and simple solution. Worries just don’t matter. Things really are in a better hand than ours.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Lutheran Pastor)

Applications

If you're feeling overwhelmed by household responsibilities and family expectations, take a moment each morning to write down your worries and then pray over them. Entrust these concerns to God, affirming your trust in His provision. Start your day with confidence by claiming a Bible verse such as Philippians 4:19, which reminds us that God will meet all our needs. This practice can turn anxiety into action, allowing you to tackle your day with boldness rather than fear.

When workplace stress starts piling up and you feel like you can't manage the demands, create a 'worry jar' at your office. Write down your specific fears or stressors on slips of paper and place them in the jar. This physical act symbolizes releasing your worries to God. Spend a few minutes each day in prayer asking for strength and wisdom to navigate your tasks with courage, reflecting on 1 Peter 5:7, which says to cast all your anxieties on Him.

If financial concerns are weighing you down at home, take tangible steps to manage this worry by creating a budget. Start by honestly assessing your finances, then bring them to God in prayer. As you see how He provides, notice where adjustments can be made. Consider setting aside a portion to donate to a need in your community, which helps shift focus from fear to faith in God’s provision. This also cultivates thankfulness and a spirit of generosity.

In a challenging project at work, if you're wrestling with self-doubt and fear of failure, initiate a 'faithful focus' weekly meeting with a colleague. Use this time to discuss your challenges, pray for guidance together, and celebrate small victories. It encourages accountability and the sharing of burdens, rooted in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, where it highlights the value of companionship. This not only lightens your load but empowers you to pursue your tasks with renewed boldness.

If you often find yourself worrying about your children's future and wellbeing, instead of fretting, start a family prayer night. Gather together each week to specifically pray over the things that concern you about them, whether it's school, friendships, or their spiritual journey. Teach them to express their stress to God too, fostering faith in God's sovereignty. This practice strengthens your family's faith while helping everyone feel supported and connected through shared concerns.

Questions to Ponder

What is the primary reason we should release our worries to God?

Explain the relationship between worry and faith in God's goodness?

What practical steps do you recommend for surrendering your worries to God?

In what ways can you apply the message of 'not worrying' in your daily life?

How does Jesus' example serve as a reassurance against worry?