All Your Anxieties

~ Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 6:25--34

Anxiety: 

Distraction, an emotion, a sense of uncertainty

What about when we get blindsided? What do we do with the anxiety? Respond wrongly or correctly? 

Why do we live in anxiety?

1. Poor sense of self-worth.  He cares more about you than for sparrows. Matthew 10: 28--29. Are you not much more valuable than the birds of the air?  Fear and anxiety are closely linked. 

2. Attempt to change things they cannot change.  We don't measure up to our own perfectionist attitudes and perceptions. You can't add an hour to your life. 

3. Fail to trust God to meet our needs. Anxiety is no more than unbelief in disguise. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Anxiety equals no trust in God.

4. Attempt to find contentment and security following the world's pattern. The pagans run after all these things.

5. Misplaced priorities in our life.  Seek first the kingdom of God. Submit your life to Jesus Christ as Lord of your life. Allow Him to conform you to His likeness. Seek first the rule of Christ in your life.  It is very foolish to put anything first in our lives other than Jesus Christ. 

6. Trying to live in tomorrow today. Do not worry about tomorrow.  God will never call you to do something for which His grace is not sufficient.  The next grace for the next thing. 

*My Name is not "I Was"

*My Name is not "I Will Be"

*I Am here 

      in this present moment, *

*and My Name is "I Am."

How do you handle anxiety?

Denial, stoicism and blame, escape -- pills and alcohol. 

God's way: 

Phillipians 4:5-11

I have learned to be content. 

He was anxious but learned how to not be.

If you want great faith, get ready to be thrown into the fire. You will learn that God can be trusted when you can't do anything else.

Anxiety divides your mind. 

Drains your energy. 

Decrease productivity. 

Disrupts relationships. 

Unwise decisions.

Destroys joy

In everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Bring it to God

"God, I need your help, I need you"

Supplication

Acknowledging your need. 

With Thanksgiving 

We can come to Him, to what He is and what He can do.

When anxiety hits, turn to the Father -- don't focus on the anxiety.

Turn to Him in confidence.

You can't separate prayer and the Scriptures. You must know who He is and what He's promised.

FOCUS ON THE FATHER ~

Not on what is going on. 

Thanksgiving is evidence 

of focusing on the Father. 

Focus on God's attributes. 

Jesus understands anxiety and tension. How could he live in peace? 

"Jesus, teach us to pray."

Take your burdens to the Lord, and leave them there.

Focus on Him in confidence, based on your knowledge of Him from the Word. 

When anxieties hits, say,

"God, You're in charge"

The sheep aren't responsible 

for running the ranch. 

                ~ Ann

Focus on God

God is in the details. 

He will take care of all the little things in your life.

We see ourselves as facing difficulties alone. He is by your side always.

If you were facing a great difficulty and Jesus Christ came up in the flesh, you would stop worrying. 

He is there.

FOCUS ON THE FATHER 

He always has your best interest at heart. 

He is trustworthy, and He will handle your concerns.