Sunday Recap (6th Sept 2009)

How To Overcome Worry

Mat 6:30-34 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers--most of which are never even seen--don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? (31) What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. (32) People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. (33) Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (34) "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (The Message Bible)

The wonderful thing about the Holy Spirit is that He not only instructs us "Not To Worry" but also tells us how to do it.

The Message Bible defines worrying as fussing. Best example, children of Israel in the wilderness. If we fuss it's a sign that we're in the wilderness. Fussing is an external manifestation of an internal issue-WORRY. A person who fusses constantly is one who has a stronghold of worry. V32 says people who fuss, don't know God and don't know how HE works.

Definition-Worry-Merimnao (Gk)

• to be anxious about (YLT): - (be, have) care (-ful), take thought (KJV).
  
• a distraction, a preoccupation with things causing anxiety, stress and pressure. (Spirit Filled Life Bible).
  

This same word is used in the parable of the sower. However the word used there is cares. Mark 4: 18-19

So when we worry:

1. We don't reach our destination. The children of Israel were not able to reach the Promised Land and experience the land flowing with milk and honey.
   
2. We live in anxiety, stress and pressure. This also affects those around us.
   
3. It causes the seed of God's word to become unfruitful in our lives. It's no wonder that sometimes we can be in church and experience barrenness.
   

How Do We Overcome Worry?

There are 5 keys found in the same passage:

1. By resting in knowing that our Heavenly Father attends to us, takes pride in us and will do His best for us. (v30).
   
2. By letting go of our preoccupation with getting so that we can respond to His giving. (v31).
   
3. By knowing our Heavenly Father and how He works. (v32).
   
4. By giving attention to God reality, God provision and God initiative instead of our own. (v33).
   
5. By giving attention and celebrating
   TODAY what our Heavenly Father is doing instead of waiting for the manifestation of His promises sometime in the future. Celebrate and Rejoice Now! (v34).
   

Remember, to worry is to respond and return to our flesh and works instead of resting in the accomplished work of Jesus on the cross. The key to overcoming worry and to live a burden free life is to focus and receive from our Heavenly Father through the atoning work of His Son.

Samuel Hari © GROW BM