All is Well

Foundation text is taken from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matt 6. Context is that Jesus has just spoken about having our treasure in heaven, serving God not money. He is teaching about everyday life issues and daily needs. V25-34

The world throws us plenty of opportunities to worry. Daily living has pressures and stresses, and if we are not diligent, we can easily slip into worry and anxiety. Warriors not worriers for Christ.

My parents, with the Lord now, had a sign in their kitchen which read:

“Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday – and ALL IS WELL”

Isn’t this so true – we worry about a future event and our mind blows it up into this huge issue, and then the event come and goes and we realised we had nothing to fear – all is well

Today, I am going to expose some of the problems associated with worry and look at how to combat them so we can be obedient to Jesus’ clear instruction when He said DO NOT WORRY

Horatio Spafford wrote a well known hymn in after his four daughters were tragically killed in 1871:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

We can live worry free and confess ALL IS WELL because we have a loving heavenly Father who is watching out for us.

So let’s take a look at Worry

The word worry is derived from the greek word merizo meaning “to divide into parts” and suggests a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress and pressure.

Worry takes us somewhere that is not healthy or productive.

Matt 6 v25-27 Therefore (having focussed your attention on God) I tell you do not worry…..

Life, a life in relationship with Jesus Christ, is more important than worrying about our everyday needs.

V26 God will look after us.

V27 Worry produces nothing

Jesus is not saying “do nothing” and wait for me to provide. Other scriptures talk about the importance of work, and being diligent in that area. But He is advocating trusting God

Worrying is negative meditation. Our imagination is good, but only when it is channelled in a positive direction.

Worry makes mountains out of molehills, exaggerates a problem

3 am syndrome? Everything seems worse then doesn’t it – and then the sun rises and you smell the coffee and things don’t seem so bad!

Jesus is saying here that God is watching over us to meet our daily needs. Our part is to trust Him. I Peter 5:7 Amp “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully”

Jesus said that we would have issues in life to deal with. John 16:33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world”

King David and the Apostle Paul are great examples of those who found strength and joy in the Lord during great trials and tribulations.

The effects of worrying:

Medical fact that most illnesses are brought on my stress, so worrying can make you sick, steal your health. Job 3:25 “What I feared has come upon me”
Likely to shorten your life because worry is internal turmoil and physically affects us. Ps 38:8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart
Robs you of joy Prov 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones
Gets you off track, takes our attention off God and focuses on self
It can stop the power of God operating in our lives. In Mark 4 Jesus speaks about the seed sown among thorns and how the worries of this life….choke the word making it unfruitful.
No word, no faith
Pr 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down. Worry can paralyse you, but faith is all about taking action
Worry can stifle generosity, because we may worry about not having enough. But Jesus points us to the sparrow and the lilies of the field.
Robs those around you of your presence.
It robs you of the joys of today, because you are living in the future.
Worrying can prevent a breakthrough in your life. Abraham was promised that he would become the father of many nations, he was old and his wife was barren. And against all hope in hope he believed, and so became the father of many nations

So how do we overcome worry?

Where does worry occur? – in our minds, so it is in this area that we have to concentrate.

LOOK UP Quite simply, go to God. Look away from the source of worry, and look up to God. King David gives us some insight in Psalm 13, notice v2 “wrestle with my thoughts” = worrying.

David did not pretend the problem didn’t exist, he was honest with God. God can take it. But he didn’t stay there v5 and came to a place of faith.
God told Abraham in Gen 15 to look up at the heaven and count the stars. Don’t focus on the problem; focus on how great God is.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Philippians 4:6-7 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.

LOOK TO THE WORD Really the same as above because God and His word are one. But there is something so life giving and energizing when we have a scripture to feed on.

Proverbs 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path
Psalm 1:1-3 The man who meditates in the word is blessed

SHARE IT Sometimes we need to share our burden. We are made to need each other. This is why coming to church and having fellowship during the week is so important. Ecc 4:9 “two are better than one”
TAKE A WALK OR RUN. A change of scenery and fresh air sometimes helps tremendously. We are made spirit, soul and body, and there is a connection. Good physical health leads to good mental health.

Elijah after his great victory over the prophets of Baal at Mt Carmel suddenly flees from Jezebel and fears for his life. He is complaining to God, who responds Get up and eat (I Kings 19:5)

WORSHIP GOD Paul and Silas worshipped and sang songs in prison and their chains fells off. Psalm 8:2 tells us that praise silences out enemy Isaiah 54 Sing O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy…
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM Matt 6:33 this incorporates all of the above. Jesus said that if our hearts are set on being a kingdom builder, seeking after God, then we will find that our needs will be met.

Serve, be generous, and pray for those who work in the ministry

Paul Addison, 26/08/2007