Lesson 6
Fear & Worry Overview
July 29, 2007
Bro. Gary Johnson
Adult Sunday School
Matthew 6:26-34
By now I believe that we know that Worry is a sin and that there is an antidote for us (a way to prevent us from falling into that sin. It was also called a few different names but the one that came to the top the most was Faith.
So in the passages John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” When Jesus said these words “believe” was referring to faith,
In Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Paul was saying have faith especially in not only your belief in God but in the power of prayer.
It is clear from both of these and many other passages we have reviewed that there is never a circumstance or situation that requires or justifies worry. It is always possible in the midst of any trouble to experience the peace of God which passes all understanding. In acknowledging this let us start looking at what the biblical guidelines are for overcoming anxiety or worry and to know that:
Peace is Always Possible
A quick review of what we have said (it has been a couple of weeks since we have met). We determined that the foundation for over coming anxiety/worry is a personal, vital relationship with Jesus Christ. This is essential because the peace that passes understanding is not from us it is from God and can be ours only by His grace. The promises I am saying we can claim were not given to non believers. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to experience this peace through Christ. We also said that this promise does depend on your faith/belief with no regard to your so called “natural” tendencies, personality, or circumstances.
We have also now looked at some primary and secondary sources of worry to help us be prepared by being informed of those sources in our lives to assist us in avoiding them. This will help us identify the causes of this anxiety in our lives and (A), repent of it or (B,) know how to deal with them, or (C.) better yet avoid them. Then we reviewed the differences between legitimate concern and sinful worry. The personal symptoms of worrying, and the visible signs that we are crossing that line and falling into the sin of worry and be watchful for the physical cues that our body provides.
Once we have identified this area of our lives and handled it by plan A, B, or C, then we must seek the power of the Holy Spirit to help us (remember the promise of receiving this gift was to comfort us Comfort is defined as, A primitive root; to break off or loose (in a favorable or unfavorable sense), that is, desist (from grief) or invade (with destruction): (recover) strength(-en). With the help of the Holy Spirit we can then live peacefully and righteously before God and be the testimony we should be before the world.
With this additional ammunition let us now look at this source for overcoming worry by Strengthening Our Faith
In order to live peacefully and righteously we do have to live by faith and to do that better we should be working to strengthen our faith.
I believe we have pretty well determined by now that the primary reason we worry (not a source or a cause) is our lack of faith. The reasons we have the incorrect values, divided loyalties, distorted thinking, preoccupation with ourselves, even the lazy and irresponsibility that have contributed to our worrying is due to the fact that we lack faith or our faith is too small.
Therefore if it is true and it appears to be that unbelief is the primary sin causing us to be anxious and/or worry then one of the keys to overcoming this problem would be to increase our faith.
Remember in Mark 4:35-41 the story of the disciples (several of which had been experienced fishermen and been in storms before became so afraid (worried) that they were going to capsize that in verse 38 they awoke Jesus with the call, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” to which he rebuked them in verse 40 with these words “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” Yes Jesus told them (actually rebuked them) that the reason they were worried was because of their lack of faith.
This lesson is given to us again in 1 Peter 5:7-9.
In verse 7 he says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Verse 8 warns Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” then in verse 9 he gives us the source of being able to resist: “Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”