sermon notes: no worries

From God to Cptn. M. Harwell to me
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Jan. 8, 2006

Defeating Stress - Part 1

God's Antidote To Worry

Read Psalm 23

Remember that God is your shepherd. As you realize that, you will gain an understanding of what God is and how it inspires greater love in your relationship with him.

First and foremost, we all have worries.

There are three problems with worrying:

1 - worrying is unhelpful
2 - worrying is unreasonable
3 - worrying is unhealthy

worrying is unhelpful

worrying doesn't help anything...It can't change the past or control the future.

worrying is unreasonable...It exaggerates your problems. It makes mole hills into mountains. Worrying doesn't make sense.

worrying is unhealthy...It's unnatural to worry. Our bodies weren't designed to worry. We get headaches, back pains, ulcers, etc. because of worrying.

We all LEARNED how to worry. It's a learned behavior. Some of us are experts at worrying. If worry is learned, then it can be unlearned.

So, what's the antidote to worrying?

-- Believe that God will take care of you.

Shepherds provide food, shelter, protection, guidance and correction. God has promised to do the same things if you let Him be your Shepherd. He wants to take care of us.

Phil. 4:19 ...will meet ALL of your needs in Christ Jesus...

Needs NOT Greeds. In the Bible, there are over 7,000 promises of God's coverage of your life. So, worry is totally unnecessary. When you worry, you are exhibiting "practical atheism." You have to stop playing GOD and let GOD be GOD of your life.

What does it mean to have Jesus as Lord? You know Him. You listen to Him. You follow Him. You have experienced His forgiveness. You're under His leadership, His guidance.

The root of all WORRIES is something you can't control.

WORRY IS ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOD NEVER INTENDED FOR YOU TO HAVE.

Worry goes off...Recognize that you can't have control of it. Submit to the Lord and know that He is your shepherd.

-- Pray all of the time.

All your worries, all your concerns go to God with them.

WORRY DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING BUT PRAYER DOES.

Don't keep stewing without doing.

Again, Phil. 4 tells us not to worry about anything.

The Peace of God will take the place of fear and anxiety.

It's big enough to worry about, it's big enough to pray about.

Cast ALL your cares upon Him. God can take it.

There's a Greek word that literally means "drop it" -- to cast it all on Him.

BUT we do the opposite...We cast it out there and then reel it back in. Don't do that...Leave it for God.

-- Consider LIFE one day at a time.

Focus, concentrate on just ONE day. Tomorrow will worry about itself. God will take care of it. He's already working on it for you.

Live one day at time...Don't open your umbrella before it starts raining.

Today is the tomorrow you messed up yesterday.

Take it a day at a time. That's why he put it in bite size pieces...24 hours, 60 minutes, 1 minute, etc.

There's no quick fix to stop worrying. It's a daily choice. Sometimes it's a choice we make each moment.

Who's calling the shots?? Me or God?

If He's my Shepherd, then I can rest in His power, His sovereignity, His peace.

GOD KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH...He already knows so go to Him with it and work it out together.