Spiritual Viruses: Part 3

Matthew 6:25; 33

25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life… 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The Coronavirus has alerted otherwise passive affluent cultures like our that life is fragile. Prosperity, comfort and security are precarious.

However, the Bible plainly tells us NOT to worry, or be anxious or live in fear.

DO NOT WORRY: all inclusive.

Jesus knew what He was commanding. He knew the effects of life. DO NOT WORRY.

• 1 Peter 5:6–7 (NKJV)  6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,   7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

What do we worry about? The “cares” of this world.

Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious [worry] for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (NKJV)

Paul gives us several reasons not to worry:

Philippians 4:5 – Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. (NKJV)

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. (NKJV)

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)

When we read the verse in light of the entire book of Philippians we find its true meaning:

• No matter what the situation, hardship, sacrifice or circumstance, when we have the right thinking, right attitudes, right praying and right living we will find that we can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength to live both in joy and victorious power.

Practical Application – How to Not Worry

Ending Worry When It Tempts You

• Worry doesn’t have the power to prevent anything bad from happening in your life.

Recognize how much worry harms you. 

• Worrying doesn’t benefit you in any way, but it does harm you in many ways.
• Worry also wastes valuable time and energy that you could be using for better activities.

Distinguish between worry and concern. 

• While it’s healthy to be concerned about something, it’s unhealthy to worry about it.

Identify what triggers worry in your life. 

• Once you understand what triggers worry in your life, you can begin to guard against worry in those situations.
• Know your Bible so you can respond with “it is written…”

2 Peter 1:3–4 (NKJV)  3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,   4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

CHOOSE not to worry… feelings follow choice 

• If you struggle with worry, you cannot wait until you FEEL like now worrying

Trust God to carry your burdens

• He said he would; he commands us to cast our cares and burdens on Him

Develop healthier lifestyle habits including what fills your mind

• Exercise and good nutrition help us not to be weak or depressed physically
• Fill your mind with the WORD instead of endless amounts of TV, movies, social media and other spiritual garbage

Transcend your circumstances

• When you focus your thoughts too much on your circumstances, it’s easy for your mind to wander off into worrying.
• Understand that God is control, this life is temporary, all of the problems are going to end soon and forever

Cultivate contentment 

1 Timothy 6:6 (NKJV)  6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

• Our culture cultivates relentless discontent
• This is a fertile ground for worry when that discontentment is not quickly remedied

But What If I Choose to Keep Worrying?

Worry ruins the present, but even more important for the believer is to recognize that worry is sin.

Worry means you are striking out at God.

• When you worry, you are saying in effect, “God, I just don’t think I can trust You.”
• Worry strikes a blow at God’s integrity and love for you.

Worry means you are disbelieving Scripture.

• The Bible says don’t worry, if you do it anyway, you disbelieve the Bible

Worry means you are being mastered by circumstances.

• Let the truths of God’s Word, not your circumstances, control your thinking.
• If you believe God can save you from eternal Hell, also believe He can help you in this world as He has promised.

Romans 8:15 (NKJV) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

• No Fear. We are safe and secure in God’s hands.

Otherwise, you have MUCH to fear.

• A life without the blessed assurances of God and the gift of eternal life is an existence ruled by unpredictable circumstances of which only one thing is for sure: if things are not bad now, just hang on, they will be soon.
• Fear! Fear! Fear… that’s the truthful message for those who don’t know God.

For those who do know God: NO FEAR!   KNOW GOD, NO FEAR

Proverbs 3:25 (NKJV) Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

There are a lot of ways “sudden terror” and trouble can rear its ugly head in our lives.

• And there always will be until God dissolves this sin-cursed world and gifts us with a New Heaven and New Earth, as well as a sin-free glorified eternal body.

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

If only there was never a reason to fear… then for sure, I would never fear. Sorry, doesn’t work that way.

• God is with you. God will strengthen you. God will see you through.
• God will hold you up, walk with you and see you across the finish line.

Don’t fear, don’t be discouraged, don’t worry… there is no reason to for He is your God.

John 14:27 (NKJV) Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Apart from Jesus, life goes something like this for the vast majority of humans: you’re born, life sucks, you die.  Pretty depressing. Apart from Jesus it certainly is.

• With Jesus, there is peace.
• We live above life’s turmoil and out of reach of temporary trials and hardships because we live anchored in our Lord’s promises about this life and the next.
• With Jesus, we live with an eternal perspective knowing this life is VERY brief and eternal life awaits.
• With Jesus, we don’t fear because we believe that no matter what happens in this life, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ and our future home in Paradise with Him.

With Jesus… peace. With Jesus… no troubled heart. With Jesus… no fear.