Barrier: Worry/Anxiety/Fear
Breakthrough: Peace
Don’t Worry, the Lord is Near
Breakthrough: Peace
Don’t Worry, the Lord is Near
I know you have been waiting on today’s Digging Deeper because this is a subject that certainly hits us all. This is a huge barrier. The breakthrough is peace but it could easily be love, faith, trust, joy, because worry, stress, anxiety and fear cut such a broad swath through our lives. Today I want to share with you a couple of quotes on the subject which have blessed my life. I will then finish it with some thoughts from the scriptures which deal with this barrier and breakthrough today.
“Worry has been defined as "a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained." (Unknown)
“I have been told that a dense fog that covers a seven-city-block area one hundred feet deep is composed of less than one glass of water divided into sixty thousand million drops. Not much is there but it can cripple an entire city. Worry and anxiety are like that. Just a glass full can cripple your life.” (Unknown)
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27, NIV); “Who of you by worrying can add a single cubit to your stature.” (Matthew 6:27, KJV)
I can envision Jesus making this statement and then following it up with a pause and a… “Well?” Well? He makes a great point doesn’t he? Worry is pointless. It accomplishes nothing. It wastes time, it wastes though, it wastes effort and in the end it takes hours from our life rather than adding time.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27, NIV); “Who of you by worrying can add a single cubit to your stature.” (Matthew 6:27, KJV)
I can envision Jesus making this statement and then following it up with a pause and a… “Well?” Well? He makes a great point doesn’t he? Worry is pointless. It accomplishes nothing. It wastes time, it wastes though, it wastes effort and in the end it takes hours from our life rather than adding time.
Stress, anxiety, fear are the number one killers of human beings. They cause cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and many other diseases. Worry and fear cloud our abilities to reason and think straight. Unwise emotional, financial decisions result. Unreasonable hasty choices are made which lead to death and injury.
Worry has no practical purpose in our lives. It kills. It steals. It destroys. It wastes.
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:28-32)
“…O you of little faith.” (Matthew 6:30c, NIV)
Worry is a faith issue. To worry is to say: “I don’t believe you can take care of me God. My problem is bigger than you.” Faith is essential in our daily walk with God. Without trials, without God-sized problems faith is unnecessary. So guess what? We will always have God-sized problems. As long as there is breath in our body on this earth we will have entrapments only God can deliver us from. God will see to it: “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27)
Satan will see to it. His ultimate desire is for you to “curse God and die.” At the least he wants you to waste your hours in useless worry, anxiety and fear. He will accuse you of faithlessness, worthlessness, unworthiness, and guilt. Please note: These feelings which hamper our growth and personal breakthroughs never come from God! Never! God never accuses you of faithlessness, He just provides you with constant opportunities to be faithful. God never accuses you of worthlessness, He just constantly reminds you of His great love that sent His Son to the cross. God never accuses you of unworthiness; you are covered by the blood of His Worthy Son Jesus our Christ. Guilt that comes from God leads to repentance, not pining away in self-pity, self-doubt, and fear. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 10:7)
So worry is useless. It cannot produce anything useful and is faithless. So how do I “not worry?” Do I just sit around and wait for God to do something “God-sized?” Is there something I can do to replace worry? The breakthrough is peace. This is God’s gift, God’s breakthrough. But this barrier is a little different. We must do a little more than “not worry and not fear.” We must be proactive, exercise our faith.
I believe one of the main reasons we don’t exercise our faith is that we don’t understand it. Most people think faith is a feeling. You know, the feeling that God can take care of my situation, the feeling that God exists. So I’ll just wait because there is a God and He will take care of my problem. Well, there is a certain degree of truth in that but it is incomplete. In order to overcome worry, anxiety and fear and experience God’s breakthrough of peace we must do something. We must have faith. Like love, faith- true, real, genuine faith is a verb not a noun.
The Hebrew writer says “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, KJV)
Did you catch that? Yes, faith involves “believing that He exists and that He is a rewarder…” Most people believe that. But it doesn’t end there. It says “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” “Diligently seek Him.” That is the verb in faith. Faith is not simply a matter of belief. It is not just the feeling that God can. It is the action of “diligently seeking” the One Who can. If you believe, you will seek God. If you don’t, you’ll worry, fret, and fear. If you believe, you will seek God. If you don’t you will try to figure it out and accomplish it in your own power and understanding.
“Diligently” means to search out, to search earnestly, hastily. It’s the word used to describe the search for a lost child. How does a parent search for a lost child? Earnestly! Desperately! Immediately! Hastily! Frantically! The NIV translates the word here as “earnestly.” What does that mean? “To burn with zeal; to be heated or boil; to busy oneself in the pursuit.”
Do you find a few interesting words there? To me the word “hastily” and the statement “busy oneself in the pursuit” are intriguing. To me “hastily” means rapidly, without hesitation. What is worry? Anxiety? Fear? It is busying oneself in hesitation.
So what is Hebrews 11 saying? It is saying “busy yourself in the pursuit” of God. Don’t delay, do it yesterday! Diligently! Earnestly! This is how you “don’t worry.” This is how you “don’t fear.” This is the secret to breaking through to “God’s peace.”
In Matthew 6 Jesus is telling us “don’t waste one moment worrying.” “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” “Busy yourself in the pursuit” of God’s Kingdom and He will take care of your needs. “No worries mate,” God has you covered. You seek God and He will reward you. You “diligently seek Him” and don’t give one second to worry and fear. You pursue Him, hunt for Him like a mother searching for a lost child! That’s your job. That’s how you don’t worry!
Paul goes a step further in Philippians 4. Look at his practical advice: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Read the passage above again. Slowly… Meditate on every statement. Don’t go to the next paragraph. Read the passage above slowly. Meditate on every word.
Ah, did you read the passage above again? Here it is again, slowly now. Meditate on every phrase: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Did anything stand out? Obviously all of it is significant. I’ve read the passage hundreds of times in my life but one statement stood out? “The Lord is near.” That is the answer to all the seeking and all the questions we could possibly ask.
Why shouldn’t I worry? “The Lord is near.”
Why shouldn’t I fear? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I seek first the Kingdom of God? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I diligently seek Him? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I hastily busy myself in pursuit of Him? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I rejoice in the Lord always? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I let my gentleness be evident to all? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I be anxious about nothing? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I in thanksgiving make my requests known to God? “The Lord is near.”
So the “peace of God which transcends all understanding” is just around the corner because “The Lord is near.”
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
“Whatever is true?” “The Lord is near.” This is “whatever is true” not your worries, not your anxieties, not your fears. Think on this.
“Whatever is noble?” “The Lord is near.” This is “whatever is noble” not your worries, not your anxieties, not your fears. Think on this.
“Whatever is pure?” “The Lord is near.” This is “whatever is pure” not your worries, not your anxieties, not your fears. Think on this.
“Whatever is lovely?” “The Lord is near.” This is “whatever is lovely” not your worries, not your anxieties, not your fears. Think on this.
“Whatever is admirable?” You know the answer! “Whatever is excellent or praiseworthy?” I know you know the answer.
What does “the Lord is near” really mean? It means whatever is happening in your life, don’t worry and don’t fear, because your breakthrough is just around the corner.
So busy yourself in “seeking God and His Kingdom...”
Worry has no practical purpose in our lives. It kills. It steals. It destroys. It wastes.
28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:28-32)
“…O you of little faith.” (Matthew 6:30c, NIV)
Worry is a faith issue. To worry is to say: “I don’t believe you can take care of me God. My problem is bigger than you.” Faith is essential in our daily walk with God. Without trials, without God-sized problems faith is unnecessary. So guess what? We will always have God-sized problems. As long as there is breath in our body on this earth we will have entrapments only God can deliver us from. God will see to it: “God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27)
Satan will see to it. His ultimate desire is for you to “curse God and die.” At the least he wants you to waste your hours in useless worry, anxiety and fear. He will accuse you of faithlessness, worthlessness, unworthiness, and guilt. Please note: These feelings which hamper our growth and personal breakthroughs never come from God! Never! God never accuses you of faithlessness, He just provides you with constant opportunities to be faithful. God never accuses you of worthlessness, He just constantly reminds you of His great love that sent His Son to the cross. God never accuses you of unworthiness; you are covered by the blood of His Worthy Son Jesus our Christ. Guilt that comes from God leads to repentance, not pining away in self-pity, self-doubt, and fear. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 10:7)
So worry is useless. It cannot produce anything useful and is faithless. So how do I “not worry?” Do I just sit around and wait for God to do something “God-sized?” Is there something I can do to replace worry? The breakthrough is peace. This is God’s gift, God’s breakthrough. But this barrier is a little different. We must do a little more than “not worry and not fear.” We must be proactive, exercise our faith.
I believe one of the main reasons we don’t exercise our faith is that we don’t understand it. Most people think faith is a feeling. You know, the feeling that God can take care of my situation, the feeling that God exists. So I’ll just wait because there is a God and He will take care of my problem. Well, there is a certain degree of truth in that but it is incomplete. In order to overcome worry, anxiety and fear and experience God’s breakthrough of peace we must do something. We must have faith. Like love, faith- true, real, genuine faith is a verb not a noun.
The Hebrew writer says “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, KJV)
Did you catch that? Yes, faith involves “believing that He exists and that He is a rewarder…” Most people believe that. But it doesn’t end there. It says “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” “Diligently seek Him.” That is the verb in faith. Faith is not simply a matter of belief. It is not just the feeling that God can. It is the action of “diligently seeking” the One Who can. If you believe, you will seek God. If you don’t, you’ll worry, fret, and fear. If you believe, you will seek God. If you don’t you will try to figure it out and accomplish it in your own power and understanding.
“Diligently” means to search out, to search earnestly, hastily. It’s the word used to describe the search for a lost child. How does a parent search for a lost child? Earnestly! Desperately! Immediately! Hastily! Frantically! The NIV translates the word here as “earnestly.” What does that mean? “To burn with zeal; to be heated or boil; to busy oneself in the pursuit.”
Do you find a few interesting words there? To me the word “hastily” and the statement “busy oneself in the pursuit” are intriguing. To me “hastily” means rapidly, without hesitation. What is worry? Anxiety? Fear? It is busying oneself in hesitation.
So what is Hebrews 11 saying? It is saying “busy yourself in the pursuit” of God. Don’t delay, do it yesterday! Diligently! Earnestly! This is how you “don’t worry.” This is how you “don’t fear.” This is the secret to breaking through to “God’s peace.”
In Matthew 6 Jesus is telling us “don’t waste one moment worrying.” “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” “Busy yourself in the pursuit” of God’s Kingdom and He will take care of your needs. “No worries mate,” God has you covered. You seek God and He will reward you. You “diligently seek Him” and don’t give one second to worry and fear. You pursue Him, hunt for Him like a mother searching for a lost child! That’s your job. That’s how you don’t worry!
Paul goes a step further in Philippians 4. Look at his practical advice: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Read the passage above again. Slowly… Meditate on every statement. Don’t go to the next paragraph. Read the passage above slowly. Meditate on every word.
Ah, did you read the passage above again? Here it is again, slowly now. Meditate on every phrase: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Did anything stand out? Obviously all of it is significant. I’ve read the passage hundreds of times in my life but one statement stood out? “The Lord is near.” That is the answer to all the seeking and all the questions we could possibly ask.
Why shouldn’t I worry? “The Lord is near.”
Why shouldn’t I fear? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I seek first the Kingdom of God? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I diligently seek Him? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I hastily busy myself in pursuit of Him? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I rejoice in the Lord always? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I let my gentleness be evident to all? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I be anxious about nothing? “The Lord is near.”
Why should I in thanksgiving make my requests known to God? “The Lord is near.”
So the “peace of God which transcends all understanding” is just around the corner because “The Lord is near.”
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
“Whatever is true?” “The Lord is near.” This is “whatever is true” not your worries, not your anxieties, not your fears. Think on this.
“Whatever is noble?” “The Lord is near.” This is “whatever is noble” not your worries, not your anxieties, not your fears. Think on this.
“Whatever is pure?” “The Lord is near.” This is “whatever is pure” not your worries, not your anxieties, not your fears. Think on this.
“Whatever is lovely?” “The Lord is near.” This is “whatever is lovely” not your worries, not your anxieties, not your fears. Think on this.
“Whatever is admirable?” You know the answer! “Whatever is excellent or praiseworthy?” I know you know the answer.
What does “the Lord is near” really mean? It means whatever is happening in your life, don’t worry and don’t fear, because your breakthrough is just around the corner.
So busy yourself in “seeking God and His Kingdom...”
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