Do Not Be Anxious

“One day John Wesley, a British Evangelist, was walking with a troubled man who expressed his doubt as to the goodness of God. He said, “I do not know what I shall do with all this worry and trouble.”

At the same moment Wesley saw a cow looking over a stone wall. “Do you know,” asked Wesley, “why that cow is looking over the wall?”

“No,” said the man who was worried.

Wesley said, “The cow is looking over the wall because she cannot see through it. That is what you must do with your wall of trouble—look over it and avoid it.””

The article concludes by saying

“Faith enables us to look past our circumstances and focus on Christ.”

Last week we started a new study called “Anxious” and we discussed what anxiety/being worried is, what we tend to get anxious about, and how we should seek first the kingdom of God. Tonight, we are going to answer the question “How do I kill anxiety?” Before we answer that question, you need to ask yourself this, “Do you believe anxiety can be killed?” If you don’t, I hope God’s word can show you tonight that anxiety can be killed. Turn with me to Philippians chapter 4 as we read verses 4-7.

Philippians 4:4–7 CSB

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

(Prayer)

Who was Paul?

1.) His name was originally Saul.

2.) He was a religious leader who riled up a crowd to kill a young man named Stephen and persecute those who spoke the name of Jesus.

Acts 7:54–8:3 CSB

When they heard these things, they were enraged and gnashed their teeth at him. Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep. Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.

3.) Met the risen Lord Jesus on Damascus Road.

Acts 9:4–6 CSB

Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul said. “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied. “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

What was Paul called to do? To minister and preach to the Gentile people.

Acts 9:15–16 CSB

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Suffer? Paul had to suffer?

2 Corinthians 11:23–27 CSB

Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman—I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death. Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing.

How can Paul then say “Don’t Worry About Anything?!”

1.) Paul learned to pray.

Prayer: Addressing God directly.

2.) Paul learned to pray with urgency.

Petition: Pray with urgency about whatever concerns you.

3.) Paul learned to make request to God.

We can get so fixated on our anxious thoughts/feelings, that we allow a wall to be built between us and God.

(Wall Building Prop)

Why is praying, praying with urgency, and making specific requests to God important? It provides peace.

Peace: A state of tranquility or wholeness.

True peace comes from Christ and Christ alone. Why? Because He is the only one who truly understands our battle.

Hebrews 4:15–16 CSB

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Jesus before the cross.

Luke 22:39–46 CSB

He went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.”

Jesus knows your battle with anxiety.

Jesus knows what you are worried about.

With Jesus, you can find peace, in the midst of your darkest storms.

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