MANAGING WORRY

 

WORRY IS NOT SIN UNLESS WE EMBRACE IT: Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

WORRY, SUFFERING, AND FEAR ARE NEEDFUL: 2 Corinthians 1:8–9 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

LIKE ANY SUFFERING, WORRY CAN EITHER TURN US TO JESUS OR AWAY FROM HIM: Psalm 56:3–4 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

“I SHALL NOT BE AFRAID?” BUT SHALL STAND ON THE WORD OF GOD: 2 Corinthians 1:10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

THE REMEDY

Meditate on how God has faithfully delivered his people from many fears:

•    JOSHUA: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." ‭‭(Joshua‬ ‭1:8-9)

Being courageous was not a matter of Joshua ridding himself of fear, but of standing his ground in the Word. Notice that the Lord didn’t instruct Joshua to not experience the feelings of anxiety. Instead, He instructed Joshua what to do in the midst of his fears.

The Children of Israel feared as they heard the Egyptian chariots approaching. The Lord didn’t instruct them not to feel that way but instead simply to observe the Lord’s salvation:

•    And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." ‭‭(Exodus‬ ‭14:13-14)

•    WHEN FEAR AND WORRY CONTROL: “Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them." (Numbers‬ ‭14:9‬)‭

It didn’t matter what they felt, but whether or not they would continue to trust in the Word of the Lord.

RECALL GOD’S LOVES AND OMNIPOTENCE: Isaiah 40:28–31 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

PRAISE GOD: Romans 4:20–21 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

OUR LORD WILL DELIVER US IN HIS OWN TIME: 1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

ANTICIPATE BLESSINGS: 2 Corinthians 1:3–5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.