February 24, 2019 Why Worry When You Can't Do It!

Why Worry When You Can't Do It!

Luke 12:22-34 

Many Christians are faced with challenges and uncertainties  that are beyond their control. Not having control can create anxiety. Not knowing the future can equally make us anxious. Pastor Donald uses Luke 12 22-34 to show what an anxious heart looks like, why Christians should not be anxious and how Christians can avoid anxiety.

1. 1. The Nature of an Anxious Heart 

1. Our emotions are natural and necessary for us to live. Worry and fear protect us, but anxiety is prolonged fear or worry that affects our wellbeing. So what does an anxious heart look like? A person with an anxious heart does not appreciate the blessings at hand. (Luke 12:22-23). We become blind to our endowment if we only focus on what we lack. Plus the things that we do have, we do not value. Someone who does not value what they have is marked by complaining and grumbling. finally, an anxious heart demonstrates unfaithfulness to God and lack of trust. 

1. 2. Believers Are not to Live with Anxiety 

1. Although some worry is necessary to motivate us to meet deadlines or prepare for the future, it is easy to fall into the trap of worrying excessively at what we do not have or what we cannot control. Believers must remember that they are of greater value to God than the rest of His creation. (Luke 12:24, 27-28)  If God watches over and provides for the lilies and ravens, then how much more will he do for us. In addition, worrying about what we do not have will never result in contentment. (Luke 12:15). Finally worrying about what is beyond our acquisition is futile and inflicts pain. (Luke 12:25-26) 

 3. How can believers avoid anxiety? We do this by seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. We need to acknowledge the Lordship of God by practicing a life of thanksgiving for what we have (Luke 12:22-23). Unlike the foolish rich man, we must commit to a pattern of living for God and allowing Him to rule everything in our  lives. (Luke 16-21) We need to practice seeking his kingdom by pursuing after his revealed righteousness (Matt 6:33) 

We still need to work and go though life with all its uncertainties. However, we need to do our work within our limitations. We can trust in God to meet our needs especially in those areas we cannot control.  Let's learn to live within our limits, and then we will see how blessed we are.