How to Win Over Worry

8/4/2019 How to Win Over Worry

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How To Win Over Worry

Back To School With God Series

A Sermon By Jim Hammond from Matthew 6:25-34

What a Difference a Year Makes

One seven-year-old daughter was thrilled when her dad took her to Disney World for the

first time. She headed straight for Space Mountain. The dad worried that the roller

coaster would be too scary for her, but she insisted.

To her delight, they rode it twice.The next year they returned to the Magic Kingdom, and the daughter, now eight, again

dragged the dad to Space Mountain. As they stood in line, though, the dad could see her

soberly studying the signs that warn about the ride's speed."Dad," she said, "I don't think I want to go."

The dad then asked her why she would be nervous when she had enjoyed herself so much

the last time.She replied, "This year, I can read."[i]

Isnt education wonderful--the nice thing about being educated is that it enables us to

worry about things all over the world! The fact is, worry has become an obsession in our

modern world.

Focus: Worry and anxiety are common sources of misery today. Jesus tells us how

to win over worry.

I. Theres plenty to Worry About (v.

25).

There is no shortage of potential items to worry about. Jesus mentions several matters of

common concern.

25Therefore 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 important than food, and the body more

important than clothes?

A. Whos Worrying?
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Theres plenty to worry about for EVERYONE. Christians like to pretend that they dont

worry. They just call their worries, prayer concerns. Though Christians struggle with

worry, we dont have to be defeated by it.

When you hear Jesus words, it sounds like he is talking to people who are in poverty

here, doesnt it? I believe wealthy people worry just as much if not more than poorpeople. Theres plenty to worry about for the wealthy and the poor.

Here Jesus addresses some of the things we worry about.

Healthdo not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about

your body

Possessionswhat you will wear

The poor worry about how they will get these, the wealthy worry about losing them.

We could add our own list of concerns. People worry about . . .

Accidents

Aging

Criticism

Terrorism

BiologicalWarfare or Bio-terrorism seems to be a new prominentpoint of worry.

Theres no end to the kind of things we can worry about.

95 And Worried

A ninety-five year old woman at the nursing home received a visit from one of her

fellow church members.

"How are you feeling?" the visitor asked.

"Oh," said the lady, "I'm just worried sick!"

"What are you worried about, dear?" her friend asked. "You look rather well and

healthy today. Are they taking good care of you here?"

"Oh, yes, theyre taking very good care of me."


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"Are you in any pain?" she asked.

"No, Im not in any pain at all."

"Well then, what are you worried about?" her friend asked again.

The lady leaned back in her rocking chair, sighed a heavy sigh, then slowly explained her

major worry. "Every close friend I ever had has already died and gone on to heaven. I'mafraid they're all wondering where I went."

The word worry in the Greek, means to be divided. The Greek word (merimnao)is

formed by two root words divided and mind. To worry means to be pulled in manydifferent directions. First one fear pulls you one direction, then another fear pulls you

another direction. It is even possible to have hope, then, pull you in another direction

still. Back and forth your mind goes as it clicks into high gear. If we keep this up we

soon get pulled apart; we can literally worry ourselves sick. Have you ever felt yourself

pulled apart by worry?

Whats your biggest worry right now?

II. Worry Is A Bad Investment (vv. 26-

33).

Matthew 6:26-33 (NIV) 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap orstore away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much

more valuable than they?

27

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to hislife?

28And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow.

They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor

was dressed like one of these. 30If 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 moreclothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or

What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?32For the pagans run after all these

things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first hiskingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

A. It doesnt Add It Subtracts (v. 27)

27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

It will not add an inch to your height or a hour to your life. The simple truth is that

worrying doesnt ADD it SUBTRACTS from your life. It can subtract hours from your


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day, but even more it can subtract days, months and years from your life. Worry is a bad

investment of time and energy no matter how you look at it.

1. It is senseless

Many have recognized the senselessness of worry at least with their minds. We reasonsomething like this: There are only two things you can worry overthings you havecontrol over, and things you dont have control over. It makes no sense to worry about

things you have control over because if you have control over them then you can do

something about them and there is no sense in worrying about them. It makes no sense toworry about what you dont have control over, because if you dont have control over

them theres no use worrying about it.

We know worry doesn't do any good. We know this because we know most of the things

we worried about didn't happen.

Can you think of one good thing worry adds to your life? Worry is senseless.

2. It is harmful (v. 32)

Jesus doesnt mention the physical harm that worry causes. He doesnt talk about poorphysical health. He is more concerned about spiritual harm. Worrying makes us like the

heathen, and it damages our witness.

32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that youneed them.

Shouldnt the Christian live differently than those who have no relationship with God (v.32)?

III. How to Win Over Worry

A. Sing and Search (v. 26)

26Look 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?

The rest of Gods creation does not worry, but God provides for them. Will he not do the

same for us? This does not say we should not work, only that we should not worry whilewe work (v. 26, 28). In fact, work may be one of the natural helping stabilizers when we

worry.

Theres something Ive noticed about birds. They sing. Their singing brings glory to

God. Could there be something to this. Sing your troubles away--who ever saw a birdworry? I never saw a bird with worry lines. I never saw a bird with feathers gone gray.


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Jesus tells us the Father feeds the birds. Have you ever noticed the way he does this? He

provides food as the birds go around looking for it. The birds dont just stand in one

place and sing all day. They sing and they search.

Circus Audition

A man decides to join the circus. He shows up to demonstrate his skills to the CircusMaster.

"I have the most unusual act," he announces. "I'm sure it will amaze you."

He proceeds to climb a tall tower, and jumps off. He flaps his arms wildly, and

finally his fall slows. He soars forward, then swoops upward, turns and swoops backagain. Finally he stops in mid air and gently lowers himself to the ground landing

softly on the toe of one foot.

The Circus Master stares blankly at him for a long time. Finally he says, "Is that allyou've got? Bird imitations?"[ii]

The way Jesus asks us to imitate birds is not all that difficult. Dont worry, sing andsearch for Gods provision. Worship God and look for what he is doing.

B. Dont just fret there, Bloom! (v. 28-29)

28And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not

labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed likeone of these.

There is something I have noticed about flowers. They are beautiful when they bloom

where they are planted. If we concentrate on blooming in the midst of our troublesomesituations we might stop wasting our time laboring and spinning in ways contrary to what

God intends for the situation in which we find ourselves. God wants us to bloom. There

is something else I notice. A flowers orientation toward the sun helps it to bloom

effortlessly.

It is the blooming flower that is beautiful. Husbands, have you been so focused on some

other kind of beauty that you have not recognized the truly beautiful wife that you have.

I have found that sometimes I am the one casting a shadow making it difficult for her to

bloom. There are times when Im not even thinking about how I play a role in this. I canbecome an encouragement or a detriment. You might consider how to be an

encouragement for her to bloom by watering and getting out of the way of the sun. It

isnt the outward adornment that makes us beautiful people; it is the inward adornment.You can often see on the face of someone a glow of reflective beauty when he or she, like

a flower, has been filled with the life that comes from the son.
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C. Take a Look outside (v. 26, 28, 30)

26Look at the birds of the air;

28. . . See how the lilies of the field grow.

30If that is how God clothes the grass . . .

Are you discouraged, trapped in the pattern of worry? One very practical suggestion thatcomes out of Jesus teaching here is often overlooked. Lift up your eyes and enjoy Gods

simple pleasures. Stop and take time to focus on the minute details of Gods loving care

over creation. Stop and look at the flowers. Stop and look at the grass. Stop and take alook at the sunrise. Breathe in the fresh air. Literally, stop and take some time with God

recognizing his creation. The intricate care of God over the minutest detail of creation

should encourage us. You will find some practical steps in this process all by itself. Thesimple truth is this. Worriers have a difficult time stopping their worry. Here are the

practical suggestions of Jesus. Stop what you are doing and go outside. Spend sometime with God in his creation. Perhaps a daily regimen of this all by itself will help youwin over worry.

D. Choose to Trust God (v. 26, 30, 32)

Trust the heavenly father to provide for us as he has promised.26 . . . and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable

than they?30 . . . will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

32 . . . and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

According to Jesus, a worrier is someone who exercises very little faith (v. 30). The

ultimate cause of worry is the lack of faith. How does one enlarge a little faith? TheBible tells us faith comes by hearing and believing the truths about God. Increasing your

knowledge of God increases your faith. This is both informational and experiential, or

relational. The Bible tells us what we need to know in our heads. Our experience with

God personally tells us what we need to feel and know in our hearts. When we have anadequate knowledge of God and we have a personal relationship with God, but we still

worry, it is because we have chosen the wrong focus. We have chosen to worry instead

of trust. If we have enough information, trusting God is a matter of choice. We can

choose to believe God is big enough to handle the point of concern. We choose to trustthat he will provide what we really need. We can choose to place ourselves in the hands

of a trustworthy potter who is shaping us.

E. Seek First His Kingdom (v. 33)


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33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to

you as well.

Here Jesus gives the motivation for choosing faith over fear. Faith and worry are mattersof orientation. It is the orientation of our hearts and thoughts. Our orientation is affected

by our priorities. If you seek FIRST anything other than Gods will, you will put yourselfin the path of worry. Why? Because God may be using circumstances, bumps in the

road, trials and suffering, to get your attention in order to redirect your course. Most ofus dont want change until there is pain. Then we want something to change. God takes

an active role in our lives, training us to stay on course. When you seek first his

kingdom, He will reinforce your correct orientation with a peace and confidence in yourlife. By seeking first his kingdom you put yourself in a place where you dont have to

worry. Sounds good doesnt it?

Now let me throw a curve at you. We almost always think of worry as a bad thing. But

sometimes God uses worry for his good purposes. Heres what I mean. God does not

want you to be feeling secure and peaceful if you are secure and peaceful while you are atodds with Him. When Jesus says in 6:25, do not worry, he is addressing those who

have come to hear the will of God and want to adjust to God. To those who are busyseekingfirsttheirown kingdoms, and deliberately doing things their own way instead of

Gods way, Jesus does not say do not worry. To someone like that he would say,

Worry if you arentfirstseeking Gods will. Dont worry if you are. The only lastingplace of confidence, security, peace and joy in this world is when you are seeking FIRST

Gods Kingdom!

The reason Jesus said this is not because every Christian will always have every

perceived need met now. There have been Christians who seek first Gods Kingdom who

died horrible deaths. The reason Jesus said this is because even in those unusual cases,what is added unto you far outweighs what was taken from you! All these good things

will be added. Thats a promise.

Is your health failing? God promises that if you seek first his kingdom, all these thingswill be added unto you. He has just been talking about your life, your health. Thats one

of the these things on the list. But this promise may not mean that immediately you

will become well. He might heal you because he has determined to use you longer for hispurposes because your orientation is correct. But if he chooses not to, he still will give to

you what he has promised when you go through the ultimate healing and you are ushered

into his presence. Only this kind of confidence built on the whole picture is an

unshakable confidence. Only this kind of confidence produces the joy filled life Paulspeaks of from a prison cell while awaiting his execution (Philippians). Only this kind of

confidence can say,

Romans 8:18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the

glory that will be revealed in us.


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No matter what happens, if you have Christs orientation, the promise here is true. You

will be given all these things and more!

F. Live in the Present (v. 34)

34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jesus said, Therefore connecting these thoughts. It is because of the previous promise

that you dont have to worry about tomorrow. Live one day at a time. Handle each worryas it comes. Many points of worry will never come to pass. Those that do occur can only

be handled as they come, in the present. When the Bible tells us God will never give you

more than you can handle, he takes this verse into account. If you add to todays

troubles, tomorrows worries, you may not have enough energy to handle it. But God hasgiven you enough to handle todays concern.

Faith connects the present to the future in the positive and frees us to take positive steps.Worry connects our present to the future in the negative and constricts our mobility withfear. Planning for tomorrow may be part of todays concern, but worrying about

tomorrow is not.

Arthur Somers Roche said, Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If

encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.[iii]

When Worry Pays Off

Sometimes worry has a pay off, though its rare.

For several years a woman had been having trouble getting to sleep at night becauseshe feared burglars. One night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went

downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he did find a burglar. "Good evening,"

said the man of the house. "I am pleased to see you. Come upstairs and meet mywife. She has been waiting 10 years to meet you."[iv]

Dear Lord,

We want to begin our prayer this morning by asking for your forgiveness. We haveall allowed worried to have its way with our hearts. We know that worry is senseless andharmful. We know this in our heads, but we still struggle to choose the way of faith over

the way of worry. Thank you for loving us even though sometimes we are the ones with

such a little faith that we worry. Lord, we choose to trust you. We choose to seek youfirst. We choose to orient our lives in the direction of faith instead of fear. Lord, we

choose to be more like the birds today. We want to sing your praises and search for your

will even in the midst of difficulty. Lord, we choose to be more like your flowers today.
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Forgive us for fretting. We want to bloom right where you put us even if it is in the

middle of difficulty. We will trust the way you are using these difficulties to shape us

and protect us. Lord, help us to remember when we start to take up tomorrows concernsrather than todays. Lord help us to choose to live by faith in the present. Lord we want

our lives to reflect the peace you offer us so that we might be able to help others around

us. We thank you for our calling and purpose and the provisions you give us. Youalways give us what we need to be able to please you, so with that in mind, Lord, we

choose today to sing and to smile. We love you.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

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How to Win Over Worry