Can You Trust God, Part 2

Today’s Question: 

•Can you feel _courage_ when you experience worry and anxiety?

The question is NOT… “Are you going to worry?” 

But, “Are you letting anxiety and worry be your motivation that depletes and paralyzes, that leads to _self-pity_.

The root of anxiety and worry for followers of Christ is _double-mindedness_.

So when Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life…” He is NOT talking about your emotions or feelings but rather he is speaking about your beliefs, thoughts that are excessive, concerns that pull you away from God.

Courageous Worry: (The good side of worry)

1. Let your worries _work_ for you rather than against you.

2. Let your worries be directed toward _matters_ _that_ _matter_.

3. Let your worries bring you back to God.

Foolish Worry:

  • •Strikes out at God.
  • •Disbelieves scripture.
  • •Mastered by circumstances.

How can we tell when legitimate concerns of life have become sinful worries?

1. When the things you are concerned about is the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing you think about at night.

2. When you find your self thinking about it during every spare moment.

3. When you find yourself bringing it up at every opportunity.

Settle the question, “Can God be trusted?”

I Peter 5:7

“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” ESV

“Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares for you” CJB

“You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern” Phillips

“Since God cares for you, let him carry all your burdens and worries” Voice

Encouragement to let Jesus carry your backpacks.

  • Don’t be consumed by your worry about tomorrow because God is _already there_.
  • God promises to be with you- always!

Refuse to put question marks where God has put _periods_.

You can feel anxious and worry and still have courage because God is _enough_.

I Samuel 17

•A big worry and A big God.

[[1 Samuel 17:23–25a]]

David, you are not enough…. (when anxiety wins)

Big brother’s anger (V28-30)

The king’s fearful perspective (V-32-33)

David’s courage response…

[[1 Samuel 17:34–37]]

Yes I am!!

•Because God is _enough_.

Trash Talk (All the ingredients for worry)

[[1 Samuel 17:42–44]]

Question:

•Have you ever been so worried, afraid that you were paralyzed and couldn’t respond?

Question:

•Have you ever been so worried, afraid that you were paralyzed and couldn’t respond UNTIL?

Faith Talk

[[1 Samuel 17:45–47]]

“I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts…”

“…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel….For the batle is the Lord’s”

How did David have courage over worry?

  • _Cause_ overshadows feelings.

Never allow- “just the way you feel” to become your decision-maker. Battles are never won without a decision!

God is enough.

•”The Lord saves….. For the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you into our hand.”

David is a picture of Christ.

[[1 Corinthians 15:57]]

We don’t fight for victory…..

•We fight _from_ victory!