Working Against Worry

Introduction-

As we close this series on 7 things that we need to evaluate and make sure that we are keeping in check and surrendering to God the last thing I feel has overwhelmed my life and underperformed in my life.

Worry/ Anxiety

We are a culture that worries more than any other country in the world.

Anxiety is the #1 Mental Health disorder in America.

Over $42 Billion/Year is spent treating Anxiety

30% of Americans have some type of Anxiety Disorder

Only 18% will be treated for it

Often feel out of control of their health and life

18% of Americans have been diagnosed and

Experience higher levels of overall stress

Often struggle with low self-esteem

Feel nervous in many social situations

Have difficulty managing pressure

Have higher expectations of themselves and others

Feel returned love is performance-based

Often have unhealthy boundaries

Are often workaholics

Are more often sick

Often have unhealthy relationships

Visit the doctor more often Tax the medical system (with frequent trips to their doctor or emergency rooms)

Are more likely to take medications

Are more likely to have other health problems

Are overall more unhappy

Experience erratic emotional behaviors

Often quick to get angry

Regularly feel unsettled

Regularly feel overwhelmed

Feel disconnected or detached from reality and life

Often feel they are just on the edge of losing control

Often aren’t reliable (because their symptoms may prevent them from following through)

Become inward focused and dwell on their health condition and personal problems

May jump from relationship to relationship in search of perfection

May jump from job to job because of higher levels of stress

Live a restricted lifestyle (within their self-imposed “safe zones”)

Feel life is passing them by

Question their faith and God’s presence in their lives

Feel at a distance from God

We are worried

I know what you are saying. Im not worried Pastor.

According to the number 1 in 3 people in this room struggles with anxiety and only one is actively being treated. So the person on your left or right needs to know what the bible says about this issue.

Reminds me of a scripture that says

· (NIV)

27Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

(ESV)

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

· (NIV)

· (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Worry never works for you, only against you.

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

·

· (ESV)

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

1. God With Us

o

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

We often worry because we forget who is with us.

Jesus has been ministering all day preaching by the

o Fear happens at the end of your control

Faith Happens at the beginning of God’s control

§ (ESV)

10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

o The presence of a savior does not always mean the absence of a storm

o The presence of life pains is not the absence of God’s Love.

o God is not a net to catch us but a rope to hold onto as a guide and support

·

2. God For Us

o

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

o We will approach God how we see God

o We often worry when we don’t trust God’s power or God’s Love

Philippians 4:4–5 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Philippians 4:4-5

Romans 8:31 NIV

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

o Worry and worship can’t occupy the same space at the same time

merimnaō. a lack of trust in God’s Care

o Worry and worship can’t occupy the same space at the same time

3. God Over All

o

39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Now some would ask what is the value in this story and why is mark and the other writers including this story?

In time Kellers Book Jesus as King he talks about a Danish King Canute who responded to extensive flattery of being a God. He walks to the edge of the sea and tells the waves to stop. Only to find that the waves do not stop. Only God can control the sea.

· We speak to the one who speaks to the sea

· (ESV)

27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?

Daniel 6:26-27

Daniel 6:26–27 NIV

26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6–7 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.