CENTRAL THOUGHT
When we cast our cares and burdens on the Lord, anxiety is subdued.
HYMN: When we walk with the Lord
TEXT: MATTHEW 6:25-34; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8
INTRODUCTION:
Usually human beings fear or worry about the possibility of failure in one endeavor or the other. Also, the fear of failure creates in the minds of some believers, doubts leading to worry and anxiety. Believers often forget that God has the master plan for everything He created and has made adequate provisions for them. Lack of faith, fear or worry makes us lose focus on God’s providence for our lives. God wants us to be patient and acknowledge Him, so that he can bring to fulfillment His plans for our lives. This study focuses on how we can solve the problem of anxiety and worry.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson include”
1.) To comprehend what anxiety means.
2.) To examine the effect of anxiety on the individual.
3.) To appreciate the fact that believers should not be anxious.
4.) To understand how one can overcome anxiety.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1.) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY ANXIETY?
Readers Digest Great Illustrated Dictionary defines anxiety as a state of uneasiness and distress about future uncertainties; apprehension; worry or eagerness.
Simply put, anxiety is the state of feeling nervous or worried that something bad may likely happen. Anxiety is a troubled feeling in the mind, caused by fear and uncertainty about the future, real or imagined. Anxiety takes root from the mind. Worries and fears take over when we are not able to achieve what we want or not have our needs met. Such is the situation in the society today. We have forgotten that ‘except the Lord build the house, he that builds, builds in vain”.
We are admonished in Matthew 6:25-34, not to “worry about your life, “for God has made everything available to all His children.” As God provided manna in the wilderness to the children of Israel, so is God still providing for His people and will continue to provide for us all. Worry weakens our faith in God, because the devil’s mission is to steal, kill and destroy, John 10:10. There is a spirit behind anxiety which should be resisted by every believer.
QUESTION 2.) READ MATTHEW 2:2-12 AND 1 SAMUEL 13:8-14. DISCUSS HOW THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL EXHIBITED ANXIETY.
A. HEROD:
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea according to the prophecy, the wise men received a sign and decided to find him and worship Him. The news came to King Herod and immediately he became troubled. The fear of another King coming overwhelmed him completely. In order to overcome his fear he made a decision which led to the mass killing of innocent children, Matthew 2:16-18. He thought his decision, born out of fear and worry, could address his fear. God had a greater plan to save the child Jesus, who was born king to save the world. Ultimately Herod died and his mission to kill the young child Jesus failed.
B. SAUL:
The Philistines started gathering against the children of Israel for battle, this created fear in the heart of Saul the king. Saul was instructed to wait for the prophet Samuel to arrive to tell him how to fight the Philistines, 1 Samuel 10:8; but out of anxiety and fear of being defeated, Saul could not wait for the arrival of Samuel, he called for the burnt offering and made the sacrifice himself. Soon after, the prophet arrived, 1 Samuel 13:8-14. Only a priest was allowed to offer such sacrifice. His action led him to trust too much on His military might and too little in God. Also, he thought that acting on the basis of his fear could substitute for true reliance on God. At the end, all this cost him his kingdom forever, verse 14.
QUESTION 3.) DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING EFFECTS OF ANXIETY.
A. DANGER TO HEALTH:
Right from creation God gave man dominion over all things He created, Genesis 1:28-31, but man lost all of this right. As we worry and fear over those things we cannot acquire we cause ourselves mental illness and physical ailments such as high blood pressure, depression, frustration, chronic fatigue and other illness. Anxiety opens the door for the enemy to attack with sickness and these sicknesses could lead to untimely death.
B. INABILITY TO TRUST IN GOD:
Fear or worry hinders our ability to trust God. Most times this leads to impatience. In such situations we tend to find shortcuts to helping ourselves out. Instead of trying to help ourselves, we should patiently wait upon God, trusting in the fulfillment of His promises.
C. BREEDS SUSPICION IN RELATIONSHIPS:
Fear and worry are negative attitudes from the devil, which affect our emotions. Joy disappears and depression takes over. We begin to see everyone as an enemy and become suspicious of them. Instead of love in relationships, tension, hatred, distrust, and suspicion set in.
D. COMPROMISE:
Fear of failure or being defeated and wanting to achieve a goal or desire by all means can lead to compromise. Some Christian students get themselves in examination misconduct and malpractice out of anxiety. Some believers join secret societies out of anxiety to get promotion in an office or fulfill political aspirations. Some also get themselves involved in immorality to pass exams, earn promotions, etc.
QUESTION 4.) DISCUSS SOME OF THE ROOT CAUSES OF ANXIETY?
Discuss how the following can be the root causes of anxiety:
Fear – 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:15
Sin, Covetousness – 2 Kings 5:20
Impatience, Haste, Doubt, Ignorance, etc.
QUESTION 5. DISCUSS IN PRACTICAL TERMS HOW THE FOLLOWING CAN HELP US TO OVERCOME ANXIETY.
A. PRAYER:
Prayer and dependence on God are the essential cure for anxiety. God is the only one who can solve all problems. When we call our God in prayers, our needs are met, 2 Chronicles 20:1-4
B. PRAISES:
We should learn to praise God during our anxious moments. Praises magnify God above our situations; as we praise Him our burdens are lifted, 2 Chronicles 20:21-26
C. FELLOWSHIP:
As we share our burdens with others in fellowship, encouragement, succor will come our way and faith will increase.
D. THANKSGIVING:
The Apostle Paul admonished the brethren in Philippi, “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” “The peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”, Philippians 4:6-7. Thanksgiving makes for wholeness. To overcome anxiety you must also deliberately stop looking at situations, rather begin to offer thanksgiving to God and he will exceed your expectation.
E. THE WORD:
“. . . if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free”, John 8:31-32. If anxiety must be overcome, you must study the word of God. The word of God must always be employed through confession and appropriating it by faith in order to have permanent victory over anxiety.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
It is a thing of joy to see that at the end of the day to day activities one is successful. He goes to sleep with nothing to worry about and wakes up the next day refreshed. The reverse is the case when one ends the day with fear, worry – anxiety. However, no matter the circumstances, believers are not expected to worry or be anxious about anything. We should trust God in all situations. “His divine power has given to us all that pertaineth to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us to glory and virtue”, 2 Peter 1:3. All that we worry about has been provided for by God.
MEMORY VERSE
PHILIPPIANS 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MONDAY – BE CONTENT WITH WHAT GOD GIVES YOU.
1 Timothy 6:6-8
TUESDAY – IT IS ONLY GOD THAT CAN GIVE PEACE WITHOUT TROUBLE.
John 14:27
WEDNESDAY – JESUS HAS CALLED ON ALL WITH GREAT BURDEN TO COME TO HIM.
Matthew 11:28
THURSDAY – GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR ALL HE HAS DONE FOR YOU AND IS STILL DOING NOW.
Luke 17:15-16.
FRIDAY – ONLY THE LIVING CAN PRAISE GOD. PRAISE AND WORSHIP KEEPS US IN LINE WITH GOD.
Isaiah 38:18-19
SATURDAY – GOD IS ALWAYS THERE TO LIFT A STANDARD AGAINST OUR ENEMIES.
Isaiah 59:19