Worry - Finding Peace in Difficult Times - Part 5

How many of you like to be in control? How many of you like for things to turn out the way you want them to turn out? Do you consider yourself a control freak? How many of you worship idols? That came out of left field didn’t it?

Next question: Do you ever worry?

If you do, then you just answered yes to the previous questions.

Because worry is our attempt to control outcomes and situations.

This makes worry an idol in our lives. Hear me out. When we worry, we stop seeking God first and give ownership of our mind and emotions over to the desire to have things turn out the way WE want them to. Or the fear that things will go very badly.

Either way, we’re giving our mind over to something that’s not God.

Good morning and welcome to everyone who is hearing this message this morning wherever you are.

So, to what, or to whom should we be allowing to control our minds? Let’s look at Matt. 6:33-34...

Matthew 6:33–34 NKJV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Our minds should be focused on God’s will and not our own. Focused on things turning out the way He wants them, not the way we want them. To do anything else is sin. At least according to Jesus.

I love what the commentator Warren Wiersbe says about this verse. He says to worry about material things is to live like the heathen!

Worry hinders our ability to obey God. It causes us to sprint toward those things we think will alleviate the worry. We make our own plans. We force matters. We work ourselves up into a lather when we don’t get our way, or are afraid something bad will happen.

Bottom line: worry happens when we seek the created rather than the Creator. Or seek to please the created (ourselves) rather than the Creator, (God).

He states over and over again that He is all that we need. He wants us to be content with what He has given us rather than always striving for more. We are to seek Him first, to share our concerns with him first, to seek His direction, His next step.

Let’s take a look at Jer. 10:23...

Jeremiah 10:23 NKJV

23 O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.

So how do we give Him our concerns? How do we live seeking Him first? It all starts by spending time, alone, undisturbed, in His presence. Not in your car, not while exercising; in solitude.

Take 5 minutes a day and find a quiet place. Begin by simply talking to God about your worries. Be specific if you have to.

Ask Him to bring to mind all the ways that He has sustained you in the past. Let Him built trust in your heart. Then ask Him for His peace.

Lastly, just sit. Think about His greatness. Listen. Thank Him in advance for His perfect peace, His goodness, and for the ways that He will provide.