Thank God I am free from worry

Worry

‘Greed can never get enough, worry is afraid it may not have enough’ (Arndt). Wealth can represent a danger to those who do not have it as well as to those who do. Jesus emphasizes the importance of trust in God and detachment from things.

The word worry in the original Greek (merimnao) literally means “to be divided into parts.” To worry or be anxious is to have a distracted, divided mind —a mind torn down the middle and pulled in different directions. The worried mind is restless, filled with tension, and unsettled, like a flag twisting in the wind…

Worry happens when you rehearse your fear about a past or future event, causing mental distress, torment, disturbance, or agitation. The root from which we get the word worry comes from the term “to strangle.” Worry goes around in maddening, futile circles, visiting the fear again and again with no resolution, gradually strangling you…

Worry is a mental exercise characterized by anticipating and dwelling on potential future problems or pain, often leading to distress and agitation[1][2]. While some level of concern can be beneficial when it prompts constructive action, excessive worry can become paralyzing and unproductive[2][3]. Worry tends to thrive in busy, overcommitted lifestyles where there's little time for reflection[1]. It's described as a form of fear, elongated through anticipation and memory, and fueled by imagination and emotion[1]. However, worry is ultimately powerless to protect us from what we fear, despite its promises of comfort and control[4]. The Bible offers an alternative to worry, encouraging believers not to be troubled but to accept peace that surpasses worldly understanding[4]. Recognizing that many anticipated troubles never materialize, as noted in a quote attributed to Mark Twain, can help put worry into perspective[5].

Worry can be defined as persistently thinking about problems, fears, or concerns because you think something bad has happened or could happen. 

worry distracts us from living fully in the present

While fear has to do with the arrival of pain, worry ponders the fear of future pain.

Worries are like weeds, they have a tendency to grow up overnight.

In other words, worry is about things that have not happened. Worry is not an emotion; it is a mental exercise. • Being concerned can be positive when it propels us to action—such as seeing a doctor when we are ... • Worry rises to an unhealthy level and takes its toll when: You’re not sleeping. Your life feels out of control • Worrying about many

Feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.”

worry distracts us from living fully in the present

Someone once said, “Worry is faith in the negative, trust in the unpleasant, assurance of disaster and belief in defeat . . . worry is wasting today’s time to clutter up tomorrow’s opportunities with yesterday’s troubles.”2

Faith is in God about my life

My life is in God’s hands- will you put it there

My life is valuable to God

2. Faith is in God to care for my life

Encouraged by nature

provide for my life

protect my life

preserve

Since the things we worry about usually do not come to pass, our tendency to think irrationally leads us to believe that somehow through our worrying we prevent those events from happening. And that only feeds our fears about what “might”…

3. Faith is

in God to direct my life

Seek God and he will add

replace worry with active faith

worry stems from a lack of trust in God's providence and the importance of focusing on spiritual priorities rather than earthly concerns.

life is more than material possessions and calling us to a deeper faith that seeks God's Kingdom above all else, which ultimately leads to true security and fulfillment.

Put a priority on your faith

Big Idea: True freedom from worry emerges when we align our priorities with God’s Kingdom, trusting His provision and care as the foundation for our lives.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon in Logos, consider examining the historical context of anxiety in Jesus' time and how it relates to the physical needs of His audience. Investigate the original Greek texts to clarify the implications of Jesus' words regarding worry and anxiety. Delve into theological discussions on God's providence, drawing from relevant commentaries and studies that highlight God's character as depicted throughout Scripture.

[1] Norman H. Wright, Overcoming Fear and Worry (Aspire Press, 2010). [2] Tim Clinton and Ron Hawkins, The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling: Personal and Emotional Issues (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2009), 272. [3] David Murray, Why Am I Feeling like This?: A Teen’s Guide to Freedom from Anxiety and Depression (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020), 18. [4] Hayley DiMarco and Michael DiMarco, The Brave: Conquering the Fears That Hold You Back (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2012). [5] Parent Guides to Finding True Identity: 5 Conversation Starters: Teen Identity / LGBTQ+ and Your Teen / Body Positivity / Eating Disorders / Fear and Worry (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2023), 14–16.