Ever notice how kids can laugh and play, dance and sing, eat and sleep, with seemingly not a care in the world? Oh, they have their grumpy spells when they’re tired or don’t get their way. But they have a kind of ignorant bliss that isn’t worried about pandemics or recessions or war or just about anything else in life other than their next snack. Then they grow up.

It doesn’t take long before we grow up and get weighed down by the concerns of this world. If we’re not careful, we will enter a permanent state of fear, anger, and depression.

Last night we began a new discipleship class called “Anxious for Nothing.” The title comes from Philippians 4:6 where the Apostle Paul says, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

One of the things I pointed out last night is that if there is no God, you have good reason to be afraid! It is a rational response to a godless, dangerous, broken, messed up world full of violence, injustice, and disaster. The old saying, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” sounds like a fantasy. However, if there is a God, we can take genuine comfort knowing he is a loving Father who knows our needs and promises to provide for us one day at a time.

If you struggle with fear, worry, and anxiety, I encourage you to give it a listen. Here’s an audio recording of last night’s message, along with my teaching notes below. Also, you are welcome to join us in person next Wednesday at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall as we continue this important study.

OBSERVING HOW GOD CARES FOR YOU
ANXIETY CLASS – WEEK ONE

Date	Week	Topic	Homework Due
August 3	1	Observing How God Cares for You	Rd. Intro., Ch. 1
August 10	2	Avoiding Anxiety Through Prayer	Rd. Ch. 2
August 17	3	Casting Your Cares on God	Rd. Ch. 3
August 24	4	Living a Life of Faith & Trust	Rd. Ch. 4
August 31	5	Knowing Others are Looking Out for You	Rd. Ch. 5
September 7	6	Dealing with Problem People	Rd. Chs. 6-7
September 14	7	Doing All Things Without Complaining	Rd. Ch. 8
September 21	8	Learning to Be Content	Rd. Ch. 9, Appendix

• Introduction – What is Anxiety?
  • “Anxiety is, at is core, an inappropriate response in light of circumstances” (Rd. p. 11)
  • A few of my favorite memes
  • There are many symptoms including knots in stomach, distraction, fatigue, etc.
  • The process we will follow (p. 14) – could be applied to any counseling topic.
  • To aid our study of the Bible, we are using a supplemental book by John MacArthur called Anxious for Nothing.

THREE REASONS NOT TO WORRY (Matt. 6:25-34)

• It is unnecessary because of our Father (Matt. 6:26)
  • Reasons you might be anxious. If there’s no God, you have reason to worry!
  • Note the difference between cause and circumstances. Source vs. setting. The heart.
  • The word “worry” comes from a word meaning to choke or strangle. See also Judges 7:3 – fearful and “trembling” (ḥārēd). The root meaning is “to shake,” from which meanings such as “tremble” and “fear” are derived. Physical shaking describes the quaking of Mount Sinai (Ex 19:18). Geographic quaking serves as a poetic figure for human trembling (Isa 10:29, 41:5; Ezk 26:18). (TWOT)
  • If you were walking with a child, what proofs might you point out of God’s provision?
  • “Anxiety is blatant distrust of the power and love of God” (p. 18)
• It is uncharacteristic because of our faith (Matt. 6:30).
  • “Do not fear” is a frequent command (Mt. 6:25-34; 10:19; Phil. 4:6; Dt. 1:21, etc…)
  • First trust him for the greater gift, then trust him for the lesser gift (see p. 29).
• It is unwise because of our future (Matt. 6:34)
  • Does having a savings account or insurance imply a lack of trust?
  • “Providing for tomorrow is good, but worrying about tomorrow is a sin (p. 31)
  • The lesson of manna in the Old Testament.
  • God gives us strength on day at a time. (Great quote on p. 32)
  • We still need to work and plan ahead – Gen. 3:18-19; 2 Thess. 3:10.
• Discussion Questions
• As you compare your life right now to ten years ago, would you say you have more to worry about, less, or about the same?
• Is it OK to worry about the basics, as long as it’s not the luxuries? Why or why not?
• Our routines reveal heart priorities. When are you most tempted to be preoccupied with the “things of the world” and not the “things above.”
• Think of a specific example of how God provided for you in a hard time
• What else stood out to you in this first chapter?

God not only forgives the sins you remember. He also forgives the sins you have forgotten. Biblical Counselor Jay Adams says this is actually an act of God’s mercy — to help you forget past sins, and experience cleansing through Christ, so you will not wallow in continual guilt and shame.

“Even with careful thought we cannot recall all the sins we have committed. Why? We must not fail to see the activity of God here. He promises to forgive us our sins through the blood of Christ. This promise is an intentional forgetting’ on His part (Isaiah 43:25, Jeremiah 31:34).

“If God does not remember, would He then want His people to remember? There are some sins we do remember which should humble us, as Calvin pointed out. But-the vast majority we forget, as God does. This should be seen as a divine blessing, in which the awake state is cleared of all such consciousness.”

-“A Biblical Alternative to Inner Healing,” Journal of Biblical Counseling, 6:4, p, 33.

You may have heard of the “Caring Well” Conference that took place last week in Texas. This national conference hosted by our friends at the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission had a stated purpose to “Equip Churches to Confront the Abuse Crisis.”

There is no question this subject needs attention, and that churches need further equipping and training. Just last August, nineteen of our ministry leaders came out to church on a Monday night to attend a two-hour seminar on sex abuse prevention and response. What a tragedy this subject must even be talked about. But such is the ugly nature of sin.

I’m sure much of the advice given at Caring Well was sound and helpful, but some attendees noticed an absence of the gospel and a lack of confidence in the sufficiency of scripture. I was not there, and have not listened to the sessions myself, so I am simply sharing what I have heard from sources I respect. I share this not to generate controversy or downplay the serious threat of sex abuse in the church, but as a realtime example of the constant need for discernment. Let us never take for granted core doctrines like the sufficiency of scripture and the role of the local church, whether it be in our counseling, our preaching, or even our conferences. These principles can so easily be assumed or even undermined.

Sarah Ascol, one of the attendees, is right to observe, ” While there is an important role for those with specialized training—doctors, lawyers, law enforcement, counselors—they must not replace the central place of the church in dealing with sexual sin. It is breathtakingly arrogant to act as if the wisdom of men can take the place of the Word of God revealed in the Scripture. God’s word is powerful and it makes no small claims about that power.”

To read more of Sarah’s critique, click here. She concludes with this summary: ” The best sessions of the conference were those giving practical advice on recognizing grooming behaviors and screening church volunteers as a way to protect against sexual abuse occurring at a church. The Christian lawyers from Ministry Safe did a better job of offering tools to the church without attempting to supersede her authority and role than did any pastor or advocate who took the stage. Had such excellent practical training been coupled with a serious consideration of the power of the Gospel, a call to holiness and truth among the people of God, and a firm reliance on the Scripture as valuable in preparing the church to respond to abuse, then this conference would have truly fulfilled its goal…”

Good stuff to keep in mind. May we remain both gracious and discerning, maintaining a high view of scripture while showing compassion toward abuse victims. All the while, let us never forget the central role of Christ’s church in matters of truth and sanctification.

Do you often feel tired, tense, anxious, or burnt out? Would you describe your life as hectic, chaotic, or overwhelmed? More than likely, you’re suffering from a condition called “stress.”

King Solomon says it this way: “What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation…” (Ecclesiastes 2:22-23).

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a pastor or a professional athlete, a waiter or a stay at home mom.  Stress is a fact of life, and it can have damaging effects on your body, mind, and soul. Most important, it’s something you must think about and handle biblically.

Would you answer “true” to more than two or three of the following statements?

• T/F I have trouble sleeping at night
• T/F I feel like giving up
• T/F I have very tight muscles
• T/F I have high blood pressure
• T/F I get easily irritated by others
• T/F I regularly skip devotions because I am busy
• T/F I need medication to calm me down
• T/F I have difficulty being thankful to God

These may be indications you are stressed. Some of you are thinking, “Duh! I already know I’m stressed! But I don’t have a choice.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 says that every trial and temptation is “common to man.” This means you are not alone! Every trial — including stress — is something others have faced. They have faced and conquered various degrees of this same trial. The verse goes on to say that “God is faithful, and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.” God will never give you more than you can bear — with his help and strength.

In the same vein as the excellent Christian Growth & Discipleship Manual by Mack and Johnston, I’ve put together a free counseling guide to help those of us who struggle with stress, anxiety, and burnout. There is help, and there is hope!

Feel free to download and share with others.