Why Worry

You know, too often when dealing with the uncertainties of life, we let fear and worry overcome And we try to cover all the bases on our own, planning for everything that might happen. But humanly there's no possible way to do that. You've heard the Robert Burns poem, the best laid plans of mice and men doth of time go astray.

It's very true. There's just no way to plan for every contingency. There just too many variables. It's like Murphy's law. You know, if anything can go wrong, it probably will go wrong. Getting up in the morning is risky, but you know, staying in bed is risky, too. There might be an earthquake and the ceiling falls on you.

So, plus, you know, most accidents happen around the home. So, you know, today I want to address how we as Christians might look at fear and worry. In fact, the title of the sermon is why worry. Job Job had that mindset also of of trying to cover all the bases. We see in in Job 3:25, [clears throat] Job 3 verse 25, [clears throat] he said, "For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.

I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest. Instead, only trouble comes. It seems, you know, maybe Job's perhaps spent more little bit more time than he should have worrying about his family. He uh his wealth, his health. Job was a worrier and he was trying to cover every contingency. You you go back to chapter 1 verse 5 of Job.

And here he's talking about his children. He said verse 5, "So it was when the days of feasting had run their course that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning. He would offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and curse God in their hearts.

" Thus did Job continually. Then verse eight [clears throat] of Job 1. Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job that there is none like him in all the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" So here it says that Job feared God. And what what does that mean? That he feared God. Job was a believer.

You know, he knew there was a God and he had a certain awe and dread of him. but a reverence for him. Yet uh Job had a limited concept of who and what God is. His relationship with God was not based on a a true understanding of the goodness and the power and the love that God has. We obey God not because of some terrifying fear of what he will do to us or you know but because we know God loves us.

We know that and we know that God only wants the best for us and then we love God in return for who he is. You know, fear fear can get your attention. There's no doubt about that. I think many came into the church way back uh well when I did back in the 70s and there were booklets out there about you know nuclear war and I don't know if you remember Basil Wington some of those pictures I still remember these gauntfaced people running around and you know missiles coming in on them and everything that that got your attention for sure you know fear can be a motivation but it

should change that fear to change as we grow in understanding of God's love. You know, there there needs to be a a healthy respect and awe and balanced fear to disobey, you know, but the relationship with God as we grow in grace and knowledge, it's going to become more dominated by love, fear of the Lord. fear of the Lord.

It's not this fawning, cringing dread that keeps us, you know, wallowing around in anxiety, but it's a respect for who God is. A respect for him, the one who holds ultimate power and peace that comes from that power and and that love for us. a full overflowing knowledge of God's laws, his great ability, his his great purpose in our lives.

You know, he is the righteous judge. He wants us to fear to do evil because of the harm that it will do to us and to others. That's that fear. With that understanding, we're able to view all aspects of life in relation to God's love for us. And perfect love casts out fear. We see that in 1 John 4:18. It's just that one verse.

Perfect love casts out fear. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. You know that perfect love that comes from a true understanding relationship with God. Knowing who God is and who Jesus Christ is and the love that they have for us and learning to return that love because we want to we want to have a relationship with God.

Job had an intellectual knowledge of God but but not a full understanding of his love and the longterm concern for Job um Job's total well-being. If you go to the uh Job 42 verse 3-6 Job 42 3-6 and this is Job you know he's speaking to God and he says you ask who is this who hides counsel without knowledge or another way to say it questions God's wisdom with ignorance is another way to say that therefore I have uttered what I did not understand things too wonderful for me which I did not know.

Listen please and let me speak. You said, "I will question you and you shall answer me. I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you." He heard, but he really didn't understand. Finally, he was able to see and understand God. Verse six, therefore I abhore myself and repent in dust and ashes.

See, Job was finally able to see what a relationship with God should be based on. Ultimately, we obey God because of who God is, not of some terror of him or or maybe from what we can get out of him. That's the wrong motivation. But it's it's the same mindset a lot of the world's churches have in trying to get everyone saved now. They don't yet understand God's love for all of mankind.

They don't yet understand God's plan of salvation and you know they believe the heaven and hell myth and of everlasting torture and pain and agony. Unless you say the words I believe. I believe, you know, in this lifetime that paints a picture of a very vengeful, angry God that is going to torture people forever.

What an incredible blessing it is to know God's plan for mankind as pictured in the feast days, the white throne judgment period. I don't know if we really understand what a blessing that is to know that to know how God calls that there are first fruits now and those God calls can make it and overcome and the rest will come later.

They will have a chance their first chance. You know, we got a lot of sermons this last feast up in Calgary. There were a lot of sermons about that love that God has for us and what it means to be a king and a priest. It was very excellent sermons. But with all of that understanding and all those things that we knew know, why do we fear? Why do we still fear? What do we worry about? And I know we still do. I still do.

This limit was written to me. So you're just happen to be hearing. Some worry about the past, some worry about the present, some worry about the future. Do [clears throat] you worry about past indiscretions that will catch up with you? Some past actions or relationships that maybe were left unresolved.

Do you worry about those? Or that maybe our children or grandchildren face certain difficulties because of our failure to be perfect parents. Sometimes I think we're a little bit like Job running around worrying about this or that or maybe our children's spiritual lives. We worry about those we love because, you know, maybe they're not in the church and we fear for their safety, you know, in the coming crazy times ahead.

Or maybe they are in the church and we worry about them because maybe they won't hang on. Maybe they'll give up at some time. Maybe we didn't guide, teach, and direct them to their full potential and motivate them. Do does that keep you awake at night? If only I'd been a better parent. If only they wouldn't be facing such problems.

Or perhaps right now you're experiencing financial problems or your job situation is very tenuous. You know, many have lost jobs in the past and and indeed are facing difficult times, difficult trials, the stock market, mutual funds affects retirees incomes and those are kind of crazy all the time.

Increased costs of everything, health care, insurance of all kinds. It, you know, it forces us all to tighten our belts a little bit. Perhaps you're worried about your health. or the health of a loved one. Do you do you live in fear of a doctor telling you that you have cancer or heart disease or or diabetes? Does that keep you awake? I know some people fear eating out because of unsafe food preparation or maybe the food isn't that good.

It's got all kind of pesticides and salmonella and ecoli and you know everything is polluted or depleted of of all the nutrients. You know some people won't eat outside. Do you fear for your personal safety when driving, walking the streets, or even in your home? You read statistics about the number of muggings and robberies and thefts and carjackings and you begin to fear people.

you've began to fear even being in large groups. You know, it's a a play or a musical venue somewhere. Another big problem is identity theft. Can I shall I keep going? They get a hold of your social security number, your credit card numbers, and all about you and begin to live as you do, opening accounts and charging things. And it that gets very complex.

It takes a lot of your time straightening those things out. And just as an aside, that happened to us at the feast in Calgary. Somebody got a hold of my charge card number and started charging things. And they started setting up bank accounts and debit cards and I get these banks calling me say, hey, you know, great that you open that account.

I said, whoa, wait a minute. So that's taking time getting all that straightened out. Things that were fear and worry about, you know, they're endless. terrorists, nuclear war, bombs. The whole country and really most of the world is in fear, stress, and anxiety, waiting for the next bad news to happen. Do you get up in the morning, look at the paper, look at your phone, wondering what crazy thing happened last night? I do.

[laughter] Maybe your fears are more personally based. you're you're shy or you're afraid of relationships or meeting people or speaking in public. Supposedly that's the number one fear speaking in public. And u that's why my hands get cold when I come up here. What fear did you grow up with? I'm sure you did. Me, I was the second child.

Uh the first was a girl, you know, sugar and spice and everything nice. And uh then I came along, you know, this dirty little boy. And in an effort to control little boy's cleanliness and germ washing hands and stuff, my mom, I know she meant well, but she said if a dog ever kissed me, I would begin to bark. And so she meant well, but I still don't kiss dogs.

Maybe I've added a few more to your list. It's it's impossible to do away with and be free of fears. It's just nature of both man and beast. Fear is instinctual in animals and in agree to a degree and man also. I've read that a baby comes into the world with two fears. The fear of falling and the fear of loud noises.

But I as you age you add the fear of heat and fire and drowning and strangers and dying and you know all kind of others according to you know maybe your circumstances or how you were raised. But fear is an agitated feeling aroused by awareness of actual or threatening danger, trouble, an uneasy feeling that something may happen contrary to one's desires.

Now, your body is actually designed to constantly be on guard, to react quickly in the event of of some approaching danger that that will elicit a fearful response. We're designed that way to a degree. The the brain signals certain glands in your body to start releasing certain chemicals that make your senses sharper and the muscles tighter.

the the heart pound faster and the bloodstream will fill up with sugars to give you that instant energy that you need. And then when the danger passes, hopefully that response will tone down it. Also, it's called the fight orflight response. And you know, it's very good to have. You know, if you're in a canoe in cold water and it flips over, it's good to have that instant, you know, energy to get yourself out of that.

So, it it's good. But we can all probably relate some story of maybe having to respond to a fearful situation in our lives. Um, I remember I used to drive a big tow truck, big freightlininer tow truck, and I was up at the top of this mountain, Southern California, to pick up another truck that had broken down, a big truck up at the end of a road at the top of the mountain. I had to back up to him.

And so I'm coming down the hill at night and the brakes went out. And so flying down this hill around corners and through stop signs clear to the bottom. Oh, it was crazy. I got out my knees were just knocking together, you know. I mean it we've all had crazy thing and now I still going down a hill always got my mind you know my brakes are going out.

Are they going to get hot? You know so it sticks with you. [snorts] Natural useful fear is a blessing from God and has guided man down through the ages. Wisdom and common sense and fear of the consequences have helped us to establish certain building codes which are good areas to build in materials to build with.

Trying to, you know, ease the fear of maybe a fire or flood or earthquakes. Although you look around in some of these cities, you know, Seattle or San Francisco or wherever and you see all the schools and the hospitals and all this stuff built right over earthquakes zones or faults and you begin to see where maybe greed and stupidity sometimes overwhelm fear.

But we do have health and hygiene rules, quarantine laws. All of these are for a reason to help prevent disease. But generally speaking, proper fear is what motivates us or stirs us to action for our own safety and survival. You don't walk too close to a cliff uh you know to u [clears throat] for any reason at all.

You know, just or maybe walk around in a in a lightning storm with a metal pole in your hand. You know, there's reasons that we do that or be careful. It's when that natural fear for your own good becomes a fixation and out of balance that uh a problem develops. Those overblown fears, those are called phobias. And there's all kind of phobias for just about anything.

Apophobia is an intense and persistent fear out of proportion to the situation. [clears throat] Acrophobia, that's a fear of high places. How about syophobia? The fear of dogs. I think that's what I had. You know, fear of a dog kissing me. Panophobia, fear of everything. How about this one? Ecclesiophobia. Fear of church.

Anybody have ecclesiopia? Worry. Worry is mental distress resulting from concern for something impending or anticipated. It's a synonym with torment. It carries natural fear too far. Sophocles said to him who is in fear everything rustles. When you're in that state, every little noise, you know, again, what keeps you awake at night, you know what a miserable thing it is to wake up at 2 or 3 and and have your mind lock onto some crazy thing that you're worrying about in the dark and the cold.

You know, your mind starts racing to every imaginable gloomy outcome. And, you know, only with the light of day do you finally, you know, kind of lighten up a little bit. But too often our fears and worries bring on us the very thing that we're uh that we fear which then reinforces our fears. [clears throat] Fear of social interaction can lead to isolation and the lack of friends.

In Proverbs it says to have friends you must show yourself friendly. Fear of the unknown leads to suspicion, bigotry, hate, and envy. We should face the unknown, learn about it, and then there's no fear. Fears that become worry and anxiety can lead to illness. Stress and anxiety are implicated in many sicknesses and diseases.

That's why disees, you know, you're not at ease. A lot of people die of heart attacks uh during war, not because of the bombs or anything, but just from, you know, the triggered by fear and stress. Say, "I'll have a heart attack." Brethren, should we should we be bogged down with fears and worries and let them eat away at the joy and happiness that Christians should experience? Let's look at John John 14 verse1.

John 14:1 this is uh Jesus speaking John 14:1 it says [clears throat] let not your heart be troubled you believe in God believe also in me and I will pray verse 16 and I will pray the father and he will give you another helper that he may abide with you forever. In verse 27, peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid. You know, is your heart troubled? We can have peace through Jesus Christ. And he will guard our hearts and minds. You know, we don't have to fret and worry. There is a way out of that prison. Control of all aspect aspects of our lives, physically, mentally, spiritually, and all those ways can be [snorts] control of those can only happen when you're connected to Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 6, I want to read this out of the New Living uh translation. 2 Corinthians 6 verse 4-10 verse uh verse 4 of 2 Corinthians 6. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We've been beaten, put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

You know, how are they able to handle all that? How are they able to do that? Verse six, we prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness. By the Holy Spirit within us and by our sincere love, we faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.

We serve God whether people honor us or despise us. Whether they slander us or praise us, we are honest, but they call us imposters. We are ignored even though we are well known. We live We live close to death, but we are still alive. We've been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.

We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. That's how they were able to endure all those things that that you know came upon them. Communion with God, trust in God, faith, knowing God created us, called us, led us to conversion, and is using us for a purpose should delay the fears that derail us.

See, exaggerated fear, and I'm talking about exaggerated fear, makes a statement to God that you're not quite sure he's there or that you're not convinced he's forgiven you or that you're guilty about an ongoing problem and he's going to punish you. Jesus Christ conquered fear. He faced all temptations and emotions as a human, the same as us.

Yet, he was always close to God. He was close to God. His attitude was always to do God's will. In Luke 22:42, this is uh in reference to that, it says, "Father, if it is your will, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done." He was always wanting to do God's will. Jesus Christ was in perfect contact and communion with God.

Jesus Christ totally trusted God. He knew God was there and that whatever happened was was for the good of him and the good of all mankind. Jesus Christ accepted God's will for him even though it meant his own death, you know, an agonizing type of death. totally innocent at the hands of the very people or the beings that he created and loves and will one day call sons of God.

We need that that same kind of trust. We need that same trust that Jesus Christ had. Isaiah 26 verse 3-4. Isaiah 26 verse 3-4. Verse three, you will keep him in perfect peace. You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever. You know, not just when things are going good, you know, on the contrary, when when things are tough, trust.

That's when you need the help. For in Yahw the Lord is everlasting strength. Trust and faith. The real only antidote for fear is trust in God of yielding yourself to God and his will for you. Fear is focus on the self. Faith is focus on God. But remember the faith requires action. I gave a I think my last sermon I talked about respond in faith.

Faith is the answer to so much. We are we still need to do our part and remove as much as we can of the causes of our fears while relying on the strength of God to help us. You know, faith in God uh doesn't allow me to jump off a cliff to demonstrate my fear of lack of falling. you know, that's not what that is.

And we should still wear seat belts, you know, and still wear bicycle helmets and look both ways before crossing the street. You know, those are just obvious things. You know, God probably protects us many times a day that that we don't even know about. Never. But but you still have to be wise and be careful and build your house on the rock. You know the big R.

Do you ever wonder what is going on around us spiritually? [clears throat] If we had the eyes to see, you know, it's probably a good thing. We can't see it. Probably it probably scare us. But, you know, God has allowed that at times to happen. And I love the story in in 2 Kings 6 8-17. I'll condense that down.

uh 2 Kings 6 8-17. This is where the the king of Syria was making war against Israel. And every time he would devise some crazy plan to attack uh Israel, he would devise a battle plan and Elisha knew what was going on. He knew what he was planning and he would warn the king of Israel. the king of Syria found out what was going on and he sent this huge army to surround the city where Elisha was.

And you get down to verse 15, it says, "When the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master, what shall we do?" See, the servant probably got up early in the morning, you know, like he always does, and went outside to get some water, maybe chop some wood or something, and he looked up and here was this army completely surrounding uh him and the city.

The, you know, the the fight orflight option was out of the question. You know, you couldn't fight that army and you couldn't run away because you were surrounded. So, he went to Elisha and said, "What do we do?" And verse 16, Elisha said,"Do not fear. Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.

" You know, I love that sentence. I mean, I think about that every once in a while when you're dealing with situations and you think, "Don't fear. You know, there's a lot more with you than against you, so don't worry about it." [snorts] And Elisha prayed and said, 'Oh Lord, I pray, open his mind, his eyes that he may see.

And the Lord, open the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. I like the commentary by Matthew Henry on that verse. She says when we are magnifying the causes of our fear, we ought to possess ourselves with clear and great and high thoughts of God in the invisible world.

So when we're magnifying these fears in our mind and worries and stuff, think about God and all those forces around that are helping you being with you. Keep in mind that God is with you and that invisible army and God's protection is there. God totally changed the perception of the attacking army.

He blinded their perception. You know, they they didn't know where they were or anything and they were just able to be led away from where Elisha was. In fact, right into right into their own danger. But how often have we been protected? How often you know sometimes we have to accept on faith. Walk by faith not by sight.

You got to walk by faith not by sight. Do we believe that God can change the perception of our foes or the ones that you know maybe we're worried about those we fear? that he can take care of those problems and that he can change the perception of somebody that is maybe looking to give you a problem or cause harm to you.

Do we forget our identity? We're the children of God. A father that knows us intimately, protects us, heals us, directs our paths, and hopefully one we're in daily contact with. one who provides our daily needs. As it says in Philippians 4:19, I'll just read that. In Philippians 4:19, my God shall shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Does God see our needs as we see our needs? See, that's a a good question. Too often what we think we need or wish for or desire is not necessarily what God thinks. The one most important thing we need is to learn God's ways, his mind, his thinking. That comes first. That comes first and everything else is extra.

You know, are you worried about finances? Okay. What if God allows you to go through some difficult financial problems? What if God allows that to happen? You know, God would want us all to have abundance. But what if it was necessary to develop godly character to go without for a season? Then we need not worry about it and learn from the lesson and grow.

Do we need perfect health if it somehow inhibits our spiritual growth? Paul, who was close to God and had a lot probably to boast about, knew better. [clears throat] 2 Corinthians 12 verse 7-10. 2 Corinthians 12. 7-10. This is Paul saying uh verse 7, "Unless I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

" Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, most gladly I would rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Verse 10, therefore I take pleasure in infirmities.

That would be a hard thing to say. and reproaches and needs and persecutions and distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. See, Paul, quit worrying about it. There are many things in this life that we think we need, but God for our good, you know, sees otherwise or or at least has them on a different timetable than we have them on.

Maybe he thinks they are good for you, but maybe not right at the moment, you know, because he can see down the road and he knows when they will be good for you. You know, I want a house and I want it right now, you know, or a car or a healing or a different job or whatever it might be. We will get what God thinks we need when we need it as it aids in our Christian growth.

We can't see all the repercussions of having our own desires filled, but God can. He knows down the road. He knows what is good for us and maybe what isn't good for us right now. He knows us intimately and he can see the future and how things might affect us. Can we see them as gifts or aids to growth? Even the things that maybe seem a little hard.

You know, one of my favorite scriptures I I've quoted before in Romans, uh, we know all things work together for good. All things for those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. Worry is a lack of faith that God is in charge and is working with us for our own good. A lack of faith.

It really a lot of that comes down to that. Matthew 6:25 through34. Matthew 6:25. Matthew 6:25. [clears throat] Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not of more value than they? See that verse 25 was, you know, be not anxious. Do not worry or take no thought. And depending on the translation there, it comes from the Greek words implying a troubled mind, a a division or a dividing aunderder. So when you're anxious or worried, your mind is divided. It's not in harmony.

It's not working together right. And you're basically coming unglued. Specifically, we're not in sync with God's mind or the mind of Christ. And you know, we are to have that mind. And we can't when we let worry dominate. We're [clears throat] focused on self, not on God. We're trying to do things oursel. The work of our own growth, what to eat, what to drink, what to wear.

You know, by the commercials you see today, it seems to uh seems life revolves around eating and drinking and you know, it's all that it's not not to live but you live to eat and drink. You know, it's just opposite. Food, food preparation, restaurants, alcohol, fashion, all seem to dominate people's lives. Most fear that if they miss a meal, they'll go into shock.

Verse 27 of Matthew 6. Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? You know, anyone worried about being a little too short? Yeah, it's not going to help. But some translations uh imply that that means your worldly position or maybe even the length of your life. But whatever, worry is one of the biggest time wasters and energy wasters in our life.

Think about that worry. Most things we worry about don't happen. And even if they do, our worrying has just done nothing except prolong the amount of time that we've had to deal with that situation or that problem. Worry, worry, worry. You know, do you fear the dentist? I know people that have never really gone to the dentist, although they they really need to.

And you know very seldom it hurts and if it does it's a short amount of time but you know that fear is just overwhelmed them taking care of their own body. Verse 28. So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the liies of the field how they grow. They neither toil nor spin. And yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not a raid like one of these.

And now if God so clothe the grass of the field which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, oh you of little faith. Therefore verse 31, do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat? What shall we drink? What shall we wear? For after all these things the Gentiles speak, seek, for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Know, do we do we really believe those verses? Do we live by those verses? It's kind of like a father, you know, sending a child off to college and telling him, "Okay, you you study, get good grades.

I'll make sure you know you'll have everything you need to graduate. you we're children of God in in a lifelong class learning. We're waiting for graduation day also. As long as we continue, you know, stay in school, be teachable, not play hookie, not cut classes, quit school, God will be there. He will provide our needs and present us with crowns on that day of graduation.

Now, you know, we're not probably going to be the big man on campus or drive Ferraris or wear the latest fashions, but you know, that which is really important and needed to get us to the end will be there. God will provide. Verse 34, therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. That's one of the principles we're learning here. Don't worry about the future. By concentrating on the presence with it present with its many trials and and seeking God's kingdom on a daily basis, the future and our position in it will be taken care of. So again, why do we worry? After a lot of things, you know, maybe I've worried about and then everything works out fine.

I always ask, why did I worry about it? I just, you know, you want to kick yourself. We have two standing up for us, helping us, plus an army protecting us. Why do we worry? If we're seeking God's will and not our own, and we believe God is in charge and does only what is good for us, and that all things will work together for good, then we should not worry or or be disappointed in in daily events.

Think about the tremendous weight that you can uh cut free if you begin to think like this. If if you look at things from from God's perspective, if we can have God's mind in thinking about this, you only God's servants have the answer to worry. The fact is human life is tragic and meaningless apart from God.

As Solomon, you know, all is vanity. Can we come to the point of accepting whatever God has in store for us? We can't continue life through life with a divided mind, anxious thought, worrying about what if this or what if that happens. We have to ask ourselves, can I live with the worst case scenario? Many have. I know many have.

This is what Paul was talking about in in Philippians 4 11-13. Philippians 4 11-13. [clears throat] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content. I know how to be a base. I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

You know, would we all be stressed about being abased? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. You know, Paul learned that, you know, and so can we. We can. It's a very secret of of peace of mind. Philippians 4 verse 6 and 7. Philippians Well, let's just go back a few verses. Verse six.

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 understanding surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. That peace in the face of trials and difficulties you know it can't be understood by the world [clears throat] excuse me.

And verse nine, the things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do and the God of peace will be with you. You know, going to God is is always the answer. Otherwise, you know, or without this, the stress of a divided mind will actually bring on some of the diseases that we worry about or the distresses that we worry about.

In Proverbs, it says, "A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. A divided mind equals a divided body." So, just how do you face that worst case scenario? You've lost all your savings in a mutual fund, your house burned down, you lost your job, or maybe your loved one has been diagnosed with a serious life-threatening disease.

>> [clears throat] >> Romans 8:35. Romans 8:35. [clears throat] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? Verse 38. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, [snorts] nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created things shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You know, it's a love that we grow into and as we do, fear and worry will diminish. It's a spiritual love, not something that we as humans have naturally. Comes from God's Holy Spirit. Our minds are incomplete. And it's only with that spirit, God's Holy Spirit, can we develop the attitude that I'm talking here, God's Holy Spirit.

You know, if you look at the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22, you don't have to turn there, but you know, it's one's well, Mr. L has been speaking about that. [clears throat] Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. You know, if you look at each one of those fruits, are are they at all compatible with fear, worry, anxiety, or stress? You think about each one of those fruits, you know, is is love compatible with those stress and anxiety? How about joy, peace? You know, it's just

opposite, isn't it? Those who are Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. It is with that spirit that we can walk through that valley of shadow of death and fear no evil. See that in Psalms 23. This is a psalm I had to memorize when I was about seven in this independent Bible summer class.

I won a Bible by memorizing this verse. [clears throat] Then I went outside and hit a kid in the head with it and broke broke the binding. [clears throat] Psalm 23:4. Yay, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You jump forward to Psalm 27:3. Though an army may encamp me against me, my heart shall not fear. The war may rise against me, and this I will be confident. And you go forward a little bit more to Psalm 56 verse 3 and 4. But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has done, what he has promised. I trust in God.

So why should I be afraid? That was David. He had some amazing things to say. You know, what valley of the shadow of death are you walking through? And I know there are many making that walk right now. And I know God knows who they are and is is with you. And so is the church in prayer and praying daily. [clears throat] Brethren, if we aren't already in the end times, we must be close.

You know, the disciples of Christ came to him as, you know, what will be the signs of the end of the times? What would it be like? [clears throat] Matthew 24. Matthew 24 6-9 [clears throat] verse 6. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must be come to pass, but the end is not yet.

You know, be not troubled. Don't worry about it. For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom and there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginnings of sorrows. You know don't fear or worry or or be anxious about wars or threats of wars or famines or pestilences or earthquakes.

Then they will deliver you up to be to tribulation and kill you and you will you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. You don't worry about being afflicted and being killed, being hated, being betrayed. You know, it's really easy to say. I mean, you read that and but it's extremely difficult if you're trying to do it on your own.

If you're just trusting in your own strength and your own will and and power, it's not going to happen. But God says, "Endure to the end and for his name's sake, you will be saved." It's not it's not, you know, pleasant thinking about the possibilities of what some of us may face in the future or probably will face.

Satan is getting angrier and we know all the the depths that human nature can drive people. You see that every day in on the news or in the paper. Some of the things are just unbelievable that's happening. Have you ever wondered how those heroes of faith in in Hebrews 11 can could endure what they did? You know the Hebrews 11 just verse 35 through 40.

[clears throat] Hebrews 11. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better better resurrection. Still others had trials of mockings and scourgings. Yes. And of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned. They were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword.

They wandered about in sheep skkins and goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains and dens and caves of the earth. You know, there were many walking through the valley of the shadow of death. And all these having obtained a good testimony through faith did not receive the promise.

God having provided something better for us that they should not be made perfect apart from us. You know we we can and we must develop that same faith by being in constant contact with God knowing he is at our side. He is a comforter. And then we can claim the same promise that God makes in Hebrews 13 5-6. Hebrews 13:5-6.

Let your conduct be without covetousness. Be content with such things as you have. For he himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. I will not fear." What can man do to me? He can do a lot to you. He can saw you in half. He can do all kind of things.

But you know, with God, the end is taken care of. You know where the end will be. And those verses refer back to Deuteronomy 3:16, which says, "Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear nor be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, he is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Brethren, I'd like to I'd like to conclude with, you know, I've said a lot and maybe it's a little some a little bit hard to follow, but I want to condense down and what I've said in just three short points. It's just really

short and just take a minute. Uh points of application, things that we can do and and to put these concepts into action. The first one, number one, is turn worry into prayer and action. Turn worry into prayer and action. You can ask yourself, am I spending more time worrying about my problems than praying about them and trusting God? When worries arise, instead of allowing our minds to dwell on everything that could go wrong, you know, take those concerns to God in prayer.

Just go to God in prayer. Thank him for his faithfulness. Ask for his help and then take whatever reasonable steps that you can take within your own control. But identify one concern that has been weighing on your mind. Just start with that one concern. what has really been eating at you and you've been worried or concerned or fearful about.

Pray about it asking God for wisdom, guidance, and peace. And then do what you reasonably can do and leave the outcome in God's hands. So that first turn worry into prayer and action. The second point, [clears throat] focus on God's promises rather than worst case scenarios. Ask yourself, when I think about the future, [clears throat] do I focus more on what might go wrong or the God on the on the God who promises never to forsake me? What do you focus on? You know, we can't predict or control everything that will happen in our

lives, but we can rem remind ourselves of who God is, his love for us, his purpose for us, the ones that he has called. Faith doesn't mean that you're never going to experience trials. It means that we can face him with confidence in God's presence and care. So when fearful thoughts arise, recall a scripture that reminds you of God's faithfulness.

Now, one that I've I've used many times and still comes to mind. Isaiah 41:6. That's that's the one I mean 41:10. It's the one that comes into my mind. Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

You know, it's it's a good one to go to when you're facing situations and saying, "Fear not, for I am with you." So ask yourself whether you're responding to a real immediate problem or an imagined future possibility. Remember that even when God does not remove a trial, he can help us grow through it.

[clears throat] Okay. The third last point, practice trusting God one day at a time. One day at a time. Ask yourself, what can I do today to seek God's kingdom faithfully instead of allowing tomorrow's worries to rob me of today's peace? What can I do today? Jesus teaches us not to be consumed by tomorrow's uncertainties. We, you know, we still need to plan wisely.

We need to fulfill the responsibilities that we have. prepare for legitimate needs. But you know, we don't have to carry tomorrow's burdens with us today. Our prim our priority is to seek God's kingdom and righteousness in the circumstances that we're facing right now. Don't worry about tomorrow. So begin each day with prayer and Bible study and and you know deliberately turning turning your attention to God to start the day.

Identify the responsibilities that God has placed before you today rather than trying to solve every possible future problem that coming at you. And then at the end of the day, reflect on God helped you, helped you through that day and thank him for his care. So I hope those three points maybe you can think about or put into practice.

>> [clears throat] >> You know, we may not be able to prevent every difficulty, answer every question or control every outcome, but we can uh we can choose how to respond. How to respond? How do you respond? We can pray instead of continually worrying. We can focus on God's promises instead of our fears and faithfully do our part while trusting him with things that we can't control.

That that faith in God that he is there and that he knows what you need and is there. As we grow in our relationship with God, our faith can increasingly replace fear with peace, confidence, and godly courage.