How to Overcome Anxiety
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How to Overcome Anxiety (John 10:11-15)
Isn't the sheep's appearance similar to ours? Isn't that what we are all about being stubborn, foolish, unable to see far, and unable to find our way on our own? We need a shepherd. That is Jesus. This is the reason why people in the world who do not know Jesus are pitiful. Because there is no shepherd.
As I meditated on the words of today's text, the Lord said these words. “You are my sheep. Am I not your good shepherd? I take responsibility for your life and lead it, so what are you so worried about?” So, I decided to title today's sermon, <How to Overcome Anxiety>. Sheep don't care. All matters of eating, sleeping, and dressing are the responsibility of the shepherd.
Ladies and gentlemen, if Jesus is our shepherd, we have nothing to worry about. In reality, however, we have a number of concerns. There are always concerns about children's education, health, business, employment, raising grandchildren, and living in old age. No one is without worries. If there are people who have absolutely no worries, they are probably those who have gone down to the grave. As long as you are alive, your worries are constant.
The disciples who followed Jesus also had many concerns. What do you have to worry about living with Jesus? Still, I think they had a lot of concerns. So in Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not worry about your life, what you will wear, or what you will drink, or what you will wear for your body. Can you add one cubit to your height by worrying? look at the birds in the air Look at the lilies of the field. Doesn't Heavenly Father feed and clothe them all? How much more do you think it is you? You of little faith.” Why are you so concerned? There is a lot of fear because there is little faith.
That's why the Apostle Paul said, "Cast all your anxieties on the Lord." When you leave it with faith, you can be freed from worries.
Especially in today's message, I would like to find three ways to overcome anxiety while deeply meditating on the fact that Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are the sheep he cares for.
First, we must live simply.
Sheep don't have complicated thoughts. Just eat grass and drink water as the shepherd leads, and in the evening, the shepherd drives the sheep to the pen and sleeps. The shepherd takes care of everything, so there is no need to worry about the sheep. The sheep simply follow the shepherd. I only look at the shepherd.
People today don't have much of a problem when it comes to food, clothing, and shelter. There is no one without food, no one without clothes to wear, and few without a house to shelter from the rain and the wind. Why are you still concerned? I'm worried about getting better clothes, buying a better apartment, and better educating my children. The more I try to do something better on my own, the more my anxiety increases. put it down Go to your home and open your closet. How many clothes are you not wearing? How many of your kitchen utensils, such as cups and utensils, are unused in your kitchen? Our greed has no bottom and no end. Anxiety arises because greed is not satisfied. Some say so. These days, the average person lives with 120%. Still, I'm eager to have more. Living with only 75% frees you from many of your worries. Let go of greed. Try to live with less.
The Greek word for the word to be concerned about means to “divide the heart.”
Because we keep thinking about God a lot without thinking about it, we become anxious. There are so many things that happen in the world that we cannot handle on our own. The world's problems are far greater than I can handle. Therefore, if you keep thinking about such things, you will not be able to sleep with worry and anxiety. Meditate deeply on God who is greater than the world and God who is greater than problems. If you focus on God, the problems of the world are no longer your problems. If you keep meditating on God, you will find great comfort and grace from God. God alone is enough to satisfy my life. Then it becomes simple. It's not complicated. How simple is it to be satisfied with only God?
Those who focus on God and are satisfied with God alone can live under the guidance of God. overcoming anxiety
The second way is to seek guidance from God.
The sheep cannot move without the guidance of the shepherd. Wherever we go, they cannot find us. The sheep must always be with the shepherd. You can only live with the guidance of the shepherd. There is no safer, more abundant life than being guided by God. David experienced this with his own body. That is why Psalm 23 was written.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters.” “He revives my soul and leads me in paths of righteousness for the sake of his name.” “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me.”
“You have set a table for me in the sight of my enemies; you have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows.” “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
If God leads us, we have nothing more to ask for. He leads us to the best places. I believe in giving you the best, the best. He revives our souls when we are sometimes tired and struggling. Even through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is with us and protects us. The Lord stops our enemies. So my cup overflows. The goodness and mercy of the Lord be with us forever. Therefore, we do not lack.
Even a person who is led by God, living a simple life that is satisfied with only God, can sometimes cause anxiety. When concerns arise, pray at the time of concern. overcoming anxiety
The third way is to pray at the time of worry.
Our concerns can be summarized into two main categories. There are things that I can change and things that I cannot change. I don't have to worry about things I can't change on my own. No matter how much I worry, I can't help it in my own strength, so it's foolish to try to do this until the end. It's best to leave things that I can't do on my own. There is nothing to worry about things that I can change with my own strength. You just have to put it into action. Who is more foolish than sitting and worrying about what you can do and not do? So, I don't have to worry about what I can do, what I can't do, or whatever. All you can do is leave it to God and do what you can do. Are you still concerned? Pray right in the moment. Leave it to God.
Phil 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the LORD. He will uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 68:19 “Blessed be the Lord, who carries our burdens daily, to God our salvation.”
Let go of greed and live simply. Let go of the complexity of the world and focus on God. And trust in the God who created the heavens and the earth and be guided by him. Pray when you are anxious. Then I believe you will enjoy true peace. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. What I give to you is not as the world gives. Let not your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”