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Jesus and My Anxiety

JESUS CHALLENGES ME ON MY ANXIETY

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? MATTHEW 6:25 ESV

JESUS POINTS TO NATURE TO PROVE GOD’S CONCERN FOR ME

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? MATTHEW 6:26 ESV

JESUS DEMONSTRATES HOW POWERLESS MY ANXIOUS THOUGHTS ARE

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? MATTHEW 6:27-30 ESV

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. MATTHEW 6:31-32 ESV

THE SECRET SOLUTION TO ANXIETY:

SEEK GOD FIRST

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. MATTHEW 6:33 ESV

STAY PRESENT

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. MATTHEW 6:34 ESV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place to listen to and talk with God. Ask Him to calm your heart so that you can hear His voice. When you’re ready, commit this time to His purposes. Ask God to help you discern anything you’re anxious about. As He brings these to mind, pay attention to what you’re thinking and feeling, noting any fears or worries that arise. What is in your power to resolve and what is beyond your control, requiring God’s help? Ask Him to show you any unhelpful thoughts or unhealthy lies you’re believing about His ability or willingness to care for you. Be honest with God as you confess those. Consider the ways God has proven His love and faithfulness to you in the past. How has He provided for your needs and cared for you? How is He caring for you right now? Dwell on that truth with gratitude. What would it look like for you to begin first and quickly seeking God when faced with worry or anxiety? How could trusting God render your anxious thoughts powerless? Jesus tells us not to be anxious about anything, but to instead pray (Philippians 4:6-7). Pray now, giving God any worry you’re carrying today, any anxious thought. Ask Him to help you discern what is in your control, then pray for the faith you need to trust Him today. Remember, tomorrow is also in God’s hands. When future worries arise, return to this practice of reflection as you seek God first, stay present, and pray.

Discussion Questions

For our Matthew series, we’re offering two options for discussing the sermon and Scripture. Choose option A or B to guide your group’s discussion time.

(A) The R.E.A.L. Bible Study Method:

1. Read the Passage. Start by reading Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV) out loud.

2. Explore the Theme. What are the main points or theme of the passage? What does this passage reveal about God and/or humanity?

3. Apply the Lesson. How do we apply these passages to our lives today? What stands out from the passage—that God might be encouraging or challenging you in?

4. Live It Out. What prayerful and specific action will you take based on what you learned?

(B) Choose a couple of questions from each section below to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: If anxiety had a voice, what would it say to you most often?
  2. START HERE: Finish this sentence: “If I didn’t have to worry about ________, life would feel a lot lighter.”
  3. START HERE: If you had a “worry meter,” where would you land on a scale of 1 to 10 this week?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 6:25-34. What phrases or images stood out to you? Why?
  5. KEEP GOING: Why do you think Jesus repeats “don’t worry” so many times in our passage?
  6. KEEP GOING: Jesus says not to worry about food or clothes. What are the modern versions of those worries?
  7. KEEP GOING: How can you tell the difference between being responsible and being anxious? Where do you personally draw that line?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: If you catch yourself getting anxious this week, what’s one thing you want to do differently?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: "How might your day-to-day change if you truly believed God values and cares for you?"
  10. LIVE IT OUT: What’s one way, this week, you can remind someone else they’re valuable to God?