UNBOTHERED – Overcoming Worry

Unbothered: Overcoming Worry

Jeremiah 17:7-8

With its roots reaching deep into the water—a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought. Its leaves stay green, and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit.

Matthew 6:25-34

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

What are people worried about? Recent studies reveal:

1. People are anxious about the economy
2. People are anxious about the state of our politics
3. People are anxious about current events
4. People are anxious about gun violence
5. People are anxious about keeping their identity safe
6. People are anxious about their family’s health
7. People are anxious about paying the bills
8. People are anxious about climate change
9. People are anxious about the opioid epidemic
10. People are anxious about the impact of technology on day-to-day life.

Definition of worry:

Worry is grabbing tightly to the details of your life, believing that no one else can take care of you. It’s painful; it’s paralyzing; and it can prevent you from doing anything else.

“After years of ministry, I have never once heard someone share a testimony about the positive power of worry. There’s not one person who can say, I worried and worried about my problem. I lost sleep, I bit my nails, and I got grumpy and irritated. And everything got better because I worried.” – Pastor Stephen Rummage

DON’T WORRY ABOUT WORRYING

Matthew 6:27

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

CHERISH TODAY

Matthew 6:34

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Paul told the believers in Philippi: Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

God knows what we need and will provide.

Psalm 37:25

I have been young and now I am old. And in all my years I have never seen the Lord forsake those who love him; nor have I seen the children of the godly go hungry.

LEARN FROM JESUS

Matthew 6:33

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 11:28-30

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

You don’t need to unburden or collect yourself and then come to Jesus. Your very burden is what qualifies you to come. -Dane Ortlund

“As you and Mom have told me, don’t doubt in the darkness what you know in the light. Most of the time, anxiety lies. It can be hard to differentiate between the real truth and what your anxious brain is telling you. When the seas are stormy inside, stop focusing inward and look outward for your anchors. Your spouse, good friends, family, music, or God’s Word. One of the tools that I’ve used is to write a letter to my future anxious self, reminding me of the anchors that give me hope and strength. I’ve found that one of the most powerful anchors in my own life is to be present for other people. I recently started a ministry of taking seniors to various appointments. I’ve taken a woman with cancer to over 75 medical appointments. I can’t cure her cancer, but I can be present with her. I still deal with anxiety, but the powerful reality is that serving others has been a means of God’s healing in my own life.” – Pastor Matt’s Daughter, Melissa

Matthew 6:33

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.