Dont Worry

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Main Scripture Psalm 23:1

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."

Today we are going to talk about worry. Last week, a couple of people.......

We all have concerns: finances, relationships, kids, health issues, etc. ....WORRY IS UNHELPFUL, UNREASONABLE, AND UNHEALTHY

UNHELPFUL because in never accomplishes anything, doesn't solve any problems. Cannot change the past, Cannot control the future, and makes us MISERABLE today! It is unhelpful.

UNREASONABLE because in magnifies the problem, makes mountains out of molehills; makes them much bigger than they are. To WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING YOU CAN'T CHANGE IS USELESS, & SOMETHING YOU CAN CHANGE IS STUPID - JUST CHANGE IT. WORRY IS UNREASONABLE!

UNHEALTHY because we are NOT MADE TO WORRY! Worry can cause ulcers, backaches, headaches, insomnia..... It's unnatural. The only thing in creation that worries is people. The old English word for worry means to "strangle" or "choke". It's UNHEALTHY!

Supporting Scripture Matthew 6:25-32

What's the solution??????

TRUST GOD!

He tells us he will take care of us, and not to worry.!!!

If you really believe that God is going to take care of you, you have no reason to worry. David says God is his shepherd. What does a shepherd do????

Psalm 23 SHEPHERD

1. A shepherd provides - Food, shelter, basic necessities

2. A shepherd protects - against enemy attacks

3. A shepherd guides - Leads us when we don't know the path. Gives us direction

The amazing thing is that God promised to do these things in your life if you trust him! He said, "I'll provide for you, I'll protect you, I'll guide you" Let him be your shepherd.

Phillippians 4:19 gets more specific:

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Did you hear that word? WILL Not might, not I'll think about it, not hey if I'm having a good day...... IT SAYS HE WILL. He's either going to supply our needs, or he's a liar!

God says he will supply our needs. What does that include? Doctor payments, rent, spiritual needs? EVERYTHING!!!

I told you worry is unhelpful, unreasonable, and unhealthy, It's also unnecessary if Jesus is your shepherd. If you worry, you are doubting Jesus! Your saying God is not big enough, or I don't think he can do it.

Someone said that WORRY & FAITH are opposites. I believe they are wrong. Worry is ABSOLUTE FAITH that something bad is going to happen. People that worry have faith, but it's the wrong faith!!

How do you make God your shepherd? HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO DO

ASK

Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Repeat Psalm 23

The Lord does not become your shepherd automatically. You have to ask.. But that's all you have to do. Put Jesus in control!

Here's something to think about...

ALL WORRY IS A CONTROL ISSUE! Worry is nothing more than trying to control what you can't control. Worry should be a WARNING LIGHT that you haven't put God in control!!!

I once heard, "If Jesus is truly the copilot in your life?..... TRADE PLACES!"

You're in the wrong seat!

Who's in control of your life??? You have the option. God gives us that option.

THE LORD IS YOUR SHEPHERD...

Next step

What should you do instead of worry?/?

PRAY

Pray about EVERYTHING

First of all, if you pray about everything, you won't have much time left to worry!

WORRY DOESN'T CHANGE THINGS, PRAYER DOES!

Prayer put you in contact with the one who con make changes. Whenever a problem arises, you have an option - PANIC OR PRAY.

Phillipians 4:6 says, "don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers. Letting God know your concerns."

God says to give it to HIM. We don't have to worry. Put it on the list. Not your list, HIS LIST!!!

There is one more thing you should do if you want to deal with worry.

Consider ONE DAY AT A TIME

Matthew 6:34

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

God will take care of tomorrow. TRUST Him for today.

Don't open your umbrella until it starts raining! You can't change yesterday, you can't control tommorow, and you'll mess up today! Deal with today. Give it to God in small bites.

Remember how Jesus prayed. "Give us this day our daily bread."

Not give us this week, this month... this day! DAY BY DAY There is no pill you can take to stop worrying, no seminar, no class, no book. God's antidote is to put Him in charge. That's it!!!, but that's all you have to do.

I invite you to take the first step by opening up your life to Jesus Christ today if you have never done so. Ask him to be your Lord, your boss, your manager - your shepherd.

I don't know what your worried about today, but I know who does....God loves you and cares about your life. Can you say today, The Lord IS my shepherd? Not might be, not may be, not could be??? When you can say that and mean it, you will stop worrying. Don't carry that burden one more minute. Ask Jesus to be your Shepherd. LET US PRAY

Jesus, I don't understand it all, but I've come today to put you in charge of my life. I want you to be my shepherd - my manager - my boss - my Lord. I want to know you. I want to listen to you. I want to follow you. I want you in control of my life. Come into my life and take control. Amen