Category: Anxiety
Anxiety
Sermon: Don’t Worry!
Speaker: Josh Cox.
With so many worrisome things in life, it is important that we listen to Jesus’ exhortation to worry not! Josh supplies some biblical principles to help in this quest.
COVID-19 (2) The Trouble with Brooding
Are you familiar with the term brooding? How about the etymology of the word? It is of Germanic origin, and originally referred to breeding. The term is a figurative use of the idea of a hen sitting on her eggs, or sitting with her chicks under her wings.
In fact, country folk are familiar with a broody hen:
“A broody hen is a chicken that has decided to sit on and hatch a clutch of eggs. The eggs may be fertilized or unfertilized. The broody hen will sit on the eggs day and night, leaving only once daily to eat, drink, and poop. If you try to remove her from her eggs, she may hiss at you and peck you.” (thespruce.com)
Today, the word brooding refers to “showing deep unhappiness of thought.”
Do Not Worry
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will drink; nor about your body, what will you put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25).
The world looks at money as the means of escaping the cares of the world. The rich can better handle the difficulties of life, or so it is believed.
In reality, the rich have their own baggage. Anecdotally, you read and hear of the unhappiness and discontent of the rich, powerful and famous every day.
It is not money that brings happiness. Rather, it is a trust in God. When our focus is on serving God, and the hope He has given us, our perspective changes. And, perspective is the key.
The Christian says, “I know that God will take care of me. He is sufficiently powerful and He loves me. I may not be rich, but if I serve Him I will have what I need.” He goes through his life laying up treasures in heaven. That is the focus of his heart (cf. Matthew 6:19-21).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these (needful things) will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33-34).
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Sermon: Mary and Martha
The lesson is an examination of Luke 10:38-42, and a comparison of the two sisters who Jesus loved.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Anxiety and the Child of God
It has been said three things typically contribute to anxiety in a person. They are feelings of insecurity, helplessness and isolation. Something bad is imminent, I can’t do anything about it, and no one can help me. For the Christian, the reality is very different:
While he may feel insecure, in reality the faithful child of God is very secure. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
While he may feel helpless, in reality the faithful child of God has great help when in distress. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Finally, while he may feel isolated, in reality the faithful child of God has his Father always at his side! “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. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6).
For the child of God, there is no reason to be anxious!
“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, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
(thoughts taken from Mark Copeland’s outline, “The Problem of Anxiety”)
