A.The Bible has nothing good to say about anxiety except for how we should handle it.
1.Jesus expressly forbade anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34.He explained that if we trust in God, then we have nothing to worry about.
2.Nevertheless, the Lord recognizes that anxiety is a problem for His people, and so He has given us instructions for what we must do in order to reduce our worries.
B.Presently, let us consider the advice of God’s word on the subject of anxiety.
II.UNDERSTANDING ANXIETY
A.It is important to understand what anxiety is and what it is not.
1.Anxiety is…
a.…mental and emotional distress about uncertainties.
i.A worrier is distressed about what might happen.He is burdened and wearied even though the fearful event has not happened and may never happen.
ii.Anxiety multiplies problems and creates trouble from nothing.A worrier troubles himself unnecessarily.
b.…counterproductive worry.
i.Anxiety often paralyzes the worrier in faithless fear and causes him to make bad decisions.So much time, thought, and energy is wasted in worry that could be used for good.
ii.Indeed, worry accomplishes nothing, for in Matthew 6:27, Jesus said, "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”
iii.Many times, anxiety is the result of one’s imagination and emotions rather than reality, and other times it is the result of real possibilities.Either way, anxiety has no benefit to the one who owns it.
2.Anxiety is not…
a.…the same as concern.
i.Concern is care and interest that motivates a person to take sensible action.
ii.A concerned man makes wise plans and provisions for the future according to God’s word, but a worried man either takes no action or else takes the wrong action due to his distressed mental condition.
b.…the same as eagerness.
i.We often use the term "anxious” to mean "eager,” but anxiety and eagerness are not at all the same things, for eagerness is joyful anticipation.
ii.The Bible commends us to be eager about certain things (Acts 17:11; Rom. 8:23-25; 1Cor. 1:7; Phil. 3:20; 1Pet. 5:1-2), but it never commends anxiety.
B.Anxiety has three main components:
1.Insecurity – the feeling that something bad will happen.
2.Helplessness – the feeling that nothing can be done to avoid the fearful event.
3.Isolation – the feeling that no one else can or will help.
4.All three of these components must be overcome to cure anxiety.
III.OVERCOMING ANXIETY
A.The problem of anxiety is within the heart, so its cure must be made there also.
1.Problems of the heart are not cured easily, for they involve both reason and emotion.A worried person can often understand the reasonable answer to his perceived problem, but it may not be easy for him to accept it emotionally.
2.The cure for anxiety is found by trusting God and relying upon Him for everything.
a.We are all dependent upon God for everything, but a worrier does not truly believe that God will supply his needs in the future.
b.Anxiety is a crisis of faith, and it can be solved only through renewed faith.When a worrier realizes God’s power and providence, then he will no longer worry.
B.By trusting in God, all three components of anxiety can be solved.
1.The feeling of insecurity is removed when a worrier realizes that God will protect him: "The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Ps. 118:6; Heb. 13:6)
2.The feeling of helplessness is solved when the worrier realizes that there is something he can do about his problems: "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)
3.The sense of isolation is forgotten when the worrier realizes that God is with him: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps. 23:4)
C.Truly, the cure for anxiety is a deep faith in God.
1.This was the theme of the Lord’s teaching in Matthew 6:25-34.He showed that the reason men worry is because of "little faith” (v. 30).
2.Therefore, any steps we take to build our faith are steps toward curing our anxieties.
D.Consider a few faith-building, practical steps to curing anxiety.
1.Pray.
a."Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
b.For faithful children of God, anxiety ceases where prayer begins.
2.Read your Bible.
a.The word of God is the way to increase faith and reduce anxiety.
b."So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17)
3.Trust in God rather than yourself.
a."Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
b.Consider the example of Paul and Timothy, who learned "we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (2Cor. 1:9).Also consider the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan. 3).
4.Consider all that God has done for you in the past.
a.God has supplied all that we need to be sustained and much more.Why would He not do so in the future?
b."What then shall we say to these things?If God is for us, who is against us?He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32)
5.Do not major in minors.
a.Everyone has minor problems that come and go.Do not be overcome by such things.
b."But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33)
6.Get busy.
a.Worry and idleness go hand in hand.Concentrate on what can be done rather than what cannot be done.
b.The Proverbs are filled with messages regarding the blessings of work and the blight of idleness (6:6-11; 10:4-5, 26; 12:11, 24, 27; 13:4; 14:23; 15:19; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25-26; 24:30-34; 27:18; 28:19).A lazy man creates his own reasons for anxiety.
7.Learn to be content.
a.Many of our worries are about getting or keeping things that we do not really need.
b.A discontented rich man is consumed with worry, while a contented poor man is at peace (Eccl. 5:12-17; Phil. 4:11-13).
8.Live one day at a time.
a.Too often we worry about tomorrow at the expense of today.
b."So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matt. 6:34)
IV.CONCLUSION
A.Real security is found only in God, so He is the true cure for anxiety.
1."Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1Pet. 5:6-7)
2.Sadly, those who are outside of Christ have chosen a condition that promotes their own anxiety.
B.Humble yourself before the Lord, and you will find the cure for your anxiety today.
