Message: “Dealing with Anxiety” from Joe Summers

Dealing with Anxiety Lesson Objective: Utilizing the 7 day reading on anxiety, we will look at how to apply the various scriptures to our own situations Scripture: Mathew 6: 31-34 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. A. Introduction a. Definition - Anxiety (noun): “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” b. Synonyms – Apprehension; Jitters; uneasiness c. Antonyms- Peacefulness; happiness; Calmness B. Day 1 Scripture: Psalm 62: 5-8 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.7My salvation and my honor depend on God; Or God Most High is my salvation and my honor; he is my mighty rock, my refuge Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. a. PRAY: I am anxious again as I face ______________. Help me depend on you, God, to be my strong protector. b. What will it look like for you to take a step toward depending on God today? C. Day 2 Scripture: Psalm 94:18-19 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me your consolation brought me joy. a. To whom do you normally reach out when you are feeling anxious and alone? How does it help to have someone nearby? D. Day 3 Scripture: Philippians 4: 6-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. a. Consider this three-step plan to work through anxiety: 1) don’t worry about anything, 2) ask God for what you need, and 3) always ask with a thankful heart. b. How is that different from what you do now? What does it mean to you to be in union with Christ Jesus? E. Day 4 Scripture: Matthew 6: 31-34 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. a. It seems that worry has a starting point. What activates you to begin to worry? b. What have you learned from the daily Scriptures that will help you not to worry even if things don’t change right away? F. Day 5 Scripture: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” a. What would rest look like for you? G. Day 6 Scripture: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” a. God says he will bless those who put their trust in him. What does trusting God look like to you? H. Day 7 Scripture: Matthew 6:26-29 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life6:27 Or single cubit to your height? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. a. Thinking back over the past seven days, what promise from the Bible will help you the most in overcoming anxiety?

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