## Choose Faith over Worry

## Matthew 6:25-34

Read text: v25-34

From 1941-1945 this country was involved in World War II. Some of you here this evening were active participants of that war. The rest of us had friends and family that were. Approximately 250,000 Americans were killed in combat. That in itself is a staggering loss of life. An even more staggering statistic is that during the same period of time, 2 million Americans died of cardiovascular disease. Of that number, doctors estimate that half of them were related to worry! Four times as many Americans died of worry than on the battlefield.

Tonight the challenge is to choose faith rather than worry. Someone has said that, "Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." Worry robs us of things that are important in life. We lose our joy, our energy, our peace, and at times, even our health.

I. General Comments

A. There are three categories that most worry can be placed into.

1. Death - ours or the death of others

2. Guilt - over what we have done or what we should have done.

3. Problems - this could include any number of things that cause us to worry.

B. Biblical perspective

1. "Worry" is not found in the Scriptures

2. But the concept is found quite often

3. In our passage this evening we find the phrase "taking thought" used to convey the concept of worry.

C. Practical definition

1. Mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated. (Webster)

2. It means our thinking is divided resulting in an inability to function properly.

3. If my thoughts are on what will happen tomorrow or the next day, I cannot concentrate on what I need to be doing today.

II. Arguments against Worry Mt. 6:25-34

A. Worry keeps us from enjoying what we have. (25)

1. Worry focuses our attention on what we do not have.

2. As a result we miss out on the enjoyment of things we have been provided with.

3. It causes us to assume a responsibilty that isn't ours.

B. Worry makes us forget that God cares for us greatly. (26)

1. Worry makes us forget that God is not the birds Heavenly Father - He is ours.

2. If God will care for the fowls of the air He certainly will meet our needs.

C. Worry is completely useless (27)

1. It cannot help us

2. In fact it can hurt us.

3. It will not change things.

D. Worry causes us to forget the promises of God. (30-32)

(PSA 37:25) "I HAVE BEEN YOUNG, AND NOW AM OLD; YET HAVE I NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN, NOR HIS SEED BEGGING BREAD."

1. God's love for man motivates Him to care for those who walk with Him

2. Ro. 8:38-39 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

3. Worry makes us forget about that promise.

E. Tomorrow can take care of itself

1. If we focus on what is most important, God will take care of meeting our needs. (33-34)

2. We are to seek God and His righteousness live right before Him; that is our first priority.

3. NOTE: v 34 - "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof"

a. Let each day's trouble be enough for that day.

b. Don't borrow trouble.

III. Choose Faith Rather than Worry

A. Claim the presence of God in your life.

1. Faith in God for salvation.

2. Faith in God for our day to day walk with Him.

B. Stay in the Word of God and learn of His faithfulness.

1. Note: the example of David.

2. As he faced the giant Goliath, he remembered God's faithfulness to him.

3. God never changes, so we can always count on Him no matter what.

(1 SAM 17:37) "DAVID SAID MOREOVER, THE LORD THAT DELIVERED ME OUT OF THE PAW OF THE LION, AND OUT OF THE PAW OF THE BEAR, HE WILL DELIVER ME OUT OF THE HAND OF THIS PHILISTINE. AND SAUL SAID UNTO DAVID, GO, AND THE LORD BE WITH THEE."

4. Note: Psalm 3

a. Absalom was leading a revolt against David.

b. In v1-2 David speaks of situation and how that others comments that God can't help him.

c. In v3-8 David speaks of God's faithfulness to deliver him.

C. Maintain communication with God.

(PHIL 4:6-7) "BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING; BUT IN EVERY THING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD. {7} AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS."

1. Note that in these verses we see two very important safeguards against worry.

2. The first is our communication to God, our prayers to Him.

3. The second is God's communication to us or the answer to our prayers.

(PHIL 4:8-9) "FINALLY, BRETHREN, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE JUST, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE PURE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT; IF THERE BE ANY VIRTUE, AND IF THERE BE ANY PRAISE, THINK ON THESE THINGS. {9} THOSE THINGS, WHICH YE HAVE BOTH LEARNED, AND RECEIVED, AND HEARD, AND SEEN IN ME, DO: AND THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU."

Once again, the choice is ours. We can choose to worry and fret over things that are out of our control or we can exercise faith in God. Solomon charged us to "Trust in the Lord..." Are you trusting in Him tonight? Or are we allowing the enemy to rob us of our joy and peace of mind? Are we fearful of things that we have no control over?

(MARK 11:22) "AND JESUS ANSWERING SAITH UNTO THEM, HAVE FAITH IN GOD."

(2 TIM 1:7) "FOR GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND."