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Sermon: How to overcome Worry?

Introduction

A young man announces to his wife and four children, “I’m leaving.” Then goes outside, sits down by a tree, puts the barrel to his temple, and pulls the trigger. Why? Because he was driven by worry. Worry over his unemployment, his crumbling marriage, and the apparent hopelessness of his situation. [A sermon by Dr. Arnold Lastinger. Used with permission]

Worry fills hospital beds with psychosomatic illnesses induced by worry. Worry packs mental hospitals with people who cannot cope with the fears and anxieties of everyday life. Worry drives people to prematurely end their lives in a futile effort to escape. But, it doesn’t have to be this way! God has given us a better way. He has given us an answer.

Read Psalm 37:3-7

1. To Overcome Worry Trust in the Lord

Trust in the LORD and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity! (Psalms 37:3)

I. Trust God for salvation – Philippians 1:6 says the God who began a good work in me will carry it to completion.

II. Trust God for mercy – Psalms 32:10 says we are surrounded by the Lord’s unfailing love when we trust him.

III. Trusting implies not knowing all the answers – Proverbs 3:5 is a call to rely on God completely.

IV. Strength comes from trusting God –  Isaiah 26:4 urges us to trust God forever because he is a rock eternal.

V. All your needs are provided for in trusting him – It is promised in Philippians 4:19.

2. To Overcome Worry Delight in the Lord

Then you will take delight in the LORD, and he will answer your prayers. (Psalms 37:4)

I. In keeping with Proverbs 5:18 “delight” means to “enjoy” akin to the loving relationship of a husband and wife.

II. In Psalms 34:8 the Bible calls us to treasure God for Who He is and Feast on His presence.

III. In Psalm 37:23 the Bible urges us to desire God’s will, enjoy his Word and His presence because they guard our steps.

IV. In Isaiah 55:9 the Bible calls us to see life’s situations from the Lord’s perspective.

V. Jeremiah 29:13 says this kind of relationship is not spontaneous. It doesn’t happen overnight. It must be cultivated.

3. To Overcome Worry Commit your Way

Commit your future to the LORD! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf. (Psalms 37:5)

I. In Acts 27:30-32 Paul demonstrated it’s more than just a verbal affirmation because commitment means forsaking all other avenues.

II. Chicken & Pig to give the king a nice breakfast of ham & eggs. For the chicken it’s a commitment, for the pig, it’s a total sacrifice!

III. Most of us leave our burdens at the altar, but keep coming back to pick them up again.

IV. There’s no sense in both you and God, being concerned about a problem; let Him handle it!

4. To Overcome Worry Rest in the Lord

He will vindicate you in broad daylight and publicly defend your just cause. Wait patiently for the LORD! Wait confidently for him! Do not fret over the apparent success of a sinner, a man who carries out wicked schemes! (Psalms 37:6-7)

I. In Exodus 33:14 God promised rest to his servant. How often we overlook this fourth point.

II. In Psalm 127:2 God has promised rest to his children. But it takes patience, peace, and calmness.

III. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus also promised us rest if we come to him, (Matthew 11:29)

IV. In Philippians 4:6-7 the Bible teaches that resting in the Lord reduces anxiety.

V. Resting in the Lord frees our energy to be more productive for the Lord and takes away unnecessary stress.

Conclusion

There is no reason why a child of God should ever be consumed with worry.  To worry is to doubt God!  Would you like to proclaim your freedom from worry tonight? Come to this altar as a proclamation of faith to Trust, Delight, Commit, and Rest in the Lord.


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