DON’T BE A WORRY WART

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are a lot of people in the world, some of them Christians, who are adversely affected by negative emotions:  fear, anger, hate, envy, sadness, and grief.

 

B.   In addition, there is the emotion of worry that impacts multitudes of people. 

 

C.   Worry can be defined as:  “the torment and suffering one has from disturbing thoughts about people, circumstances, and the future.”

 

D.   In this lesson, we want to consider worry for a few minutes.  The title of our lesson is:  “Don’t Be A Worry Wart.”

 

I.             THE BIBLE ADMONITIONS ABOUT WORRY

 

A.   Three times in Psalm 37, we read these words:  “Fret not thyself…” (vs. 1, 7, 8).

 

B.   In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the words:  “Take no thought” three times in Matthew 6.  (vs. 25, 31, 34).  And once, He asks:  “And why take ye thought…” (v. 28)

 

C.   In Philippians 4:6, Paul instructs us with these words:  “Be careful for nothing…”

 

D.   NOTE:  Everyone of these passages clearly exhort us not to worry.  Yet, we do.

 

II.           WHAT DO WE WORRY ABOUT?

 

A.   About 40% of worries are about things that never happen.

 

B.   About 30% concern past events that cannot be changed.

 

C.   About 12% relate to criticism from others, much of which may be unfounded, or, spring from their opinions which are a dime a dozen. 

 

D.   About 10% involve health concerns, often intensified by worry itself.

 

E.   Only about 8% concern real problems that require action.

 

III.             BIBLE EXAMPLES OF WORRY

 

A.    Jacob

1.      Jacob had fled from his home because of the anger of Esau, his brother against him.

2.      In Genesis 32, we read of his return home.

a.       Jacob sent messengers to Esau hoping to find grace in his brother’s sight.

b.      In Genesis 32:6, we read that the messengers returned to Jacob and told him that Esau was coming to meet him and that he had four hundred men with him.

c.       Jacob was worried (Gen. 32:7a).

 

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed…

 

B.     Joseph’s brothers were worried after their father died while they were living in Goshen under the authority of Joseph (Gen. 50:15).

 

And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

 

C.     David often had worries that occupied his thought (Ps. 13:2a).

 

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?...

 

D.    The apostles of Jesus were quite concerned after Jesus had rebuked the religious leaders about their traditions and how they violated the will of God (Matt. 15:12).

 

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

 

E.     Martha was worried about properly serving her guests while her sister sat at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:40).

 

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?  bid her therefore that she help me.

 

IV.             THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF WORRY

 

A.    Worry steals our peace and joy.

1.      Has anyone ever seen a happy worrier?

2.      Martha was not a happy person when she confronted Jesus about the negligence of her sister, Mary.

 

B.     Worry can harm and individual physically (Prov. 12:25).

 

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop…

 

C.     Worry does not solve problems (Matt. 6:27).

 

Which of you by taking thought can add on cubit unto his stature?

 

D.    Worry distracts from God-given obligations responsibilities (Matt. 6:25-34)

1.      The worries (Matt. 6:25)

 

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for the body, what ye shall put on…

 

2.      The responsibilities (Matt. 6:33)

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…

E.     Worry keeps us focused on problems not God.

1.      We worry about the daily necessities of life.

2.      We forget about God.

a.       The Father feeds the fowls of the air (Matt. 6:26).

b.      God clothes the grass of the field (Matt. 6:30).

c.       The Father know that we have need of food, drink, and clothing (Matt. 6:32).

 

F.      Worry brings defeat instead of victory.

1.      Many have worried themselves to death.

2.      But, no one has worried himself to victory.

 

V.                HOW TO OVERCOME WORRY

 

A.    View our worries correctly.

1.      Seneca:  We suffer more from imagination than we do from reality.

2.      40% never happen

30% involve the past that can’t be changed

12% relate to the criticism of others

Total:  82% of our worries

3.      Question:  Why am I worrying about this at all?

4.      If you don’t like something, change it.

If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.

 

B.     If there is a worry that you can do something about, do it.  Quit worrying about it.

1.      If a child is worry about a test, a parent will tell him to study.

2.      If I worry about my finances, then take the necessary steps to get control of them:  a better job, additional training, a second job, a financial counselor, a budget, etc.

3.      If my health is bad, what are the things that I can do to make my health better?  Diet, exercises, regular doctor visits, taking proper medication, getting plenty of rest.

 

C.     We must trust in God rather than be concerned about our worries.

1.      God is over all.

God is a God of great power.

God has a storehouse of resources.

God has unparalleled wisdom.

And, God loves us and cares for us.

2.      Verses:

a.       Psalm 37:3

 

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

 

b.      Proverbs 3:5-6

 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

c.       Matthew 6:33

 

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

d.      1 Peter5:7

 

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 

3.      NOTE:  This trust will manifest itself in prayer to the Father (Phil. 4:6).

 

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

a.       We have to trust God enough to leave all of our worries at the foot of His throne.

b.      When we do this, we have a promise given (Phil 4:7).

 

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Worry is an emotion that is common to man. 

 

B.     Too, it is an emotion that often brings great harm to individuals’ lives.

 

C.     We can conquer it if:

1.      We view our worries properly.

2.      We take charge and do something about the worries over which we have some control

3.      We truly trust God to deal with the worries we cannot handle.

 

D.    Isaiah 26:3

 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:  because he trusteth in thee.