How to Wage War Against Anxiety | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Lord, we come before you and we ask that you would equip us. and

to help us see, beyond just Our emotional stability.

But Lord, we want to see how we can be more effective and

fruitful for your kingdom. And so Lord.

We just ask that the spirit of God would resting upon the

ministry of the word in this moment.

We are specifically that as a church as a family, you would

offer peace and comfort to our hearts.

Lord help us with this. We need you desperately or else.

These familiar verses can skim over us, and not penetrate and

destroy that, which seeks to destroy us.

We humble ourselves, and we ask you to please be in our midst.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Someone wants beautifully, said that anxiety, is a crisis of

Faith anxiety, is a crisis of faith that crippling worry.

That mercilessly keeps you up at night and momentarily can even

paralyze your frame in the middle of the day, is more than

just a feeling. It's more than just a rush of

emotion. If you see it through the lens

of the word of God, what you sense in that moment, whether it

is for a few seconds or it keeps you an estate.

A paralysis for weeks. It's an all-out assault on your

trust and your perception on the loving and caring God that you

you love and you profess to believe in.

See when Christ died for you and me, the inheritance.

There is far greater than eternal life.

The piece that we have is not just a peace with God

positionally if you if you nurture that faith in Christ, if

you protect it, rightly, there is something that can be

secured. That will help you sail through

this life in such a way that it can lullaby you to sleep. even

in the midst of vicious storms, but for many Believers, the

tension that is caused by anxiety.

Is a far more familiar companion than this piece that you've

heard most of your Christian Life.

Only in sermons. It's Theory, it's coffee mug

versus it's what you get from the Christian Store and you put

on your living room wall. That's all it is, but it doesn't

really penetrate. It's not tangible.

It's not experiential. Peace is just theology, but it's

not it's not something that you can testify about.

And Believers, I'm telling you, that they range on the spectrum

of the level of anxiety that they fear.

You have some who are generally courageous and faith-filled.

Just like David, David could stand before a giant.

He can stand before. A sea of armies.

By yet for years. He had one haunting concern and

I was this man Saul. And then you have those who are

like Martha. The sister of Mary and Jesus

came over Martha's house, and she was, she was preparing and

running back and forth, and she ends up complaining about her

sister, who's just sitting there to receive the word of the Lord.

And and Jesus looks her says Martha.

You are anxious and troubled about many things, many things.

And so, you have believers who are easily shaken or for the,

for the smallest of things. Small is events, smallest of

needs. I mean, anything between, what

am I going to wear for my friend's wedding?

To, how am I going to buy a house in this inflated Market?

And then you have others who can say brother.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I don't have an anxious bone in my body, and you have some of

those Christians. That they don't deal with that

Temptation. They don't deal with that

burden. How true it is?

That that is not the case for the majority.

And so we have to believe something regardless of the

severity of that anxiety, regardless of the severity of

that worry or fear and it is this, that the inheritance that

we have received in the Holy Spirit is not just so that we

can have the power to overcome gross, sexual immorality, or to

deal with murderous Rage or to tame relationship destroying

greed. The spirit of God wants to even

allow you to soar above. Of concerns in this life of all

kinds of various degrees. And the Lord wants his children

to be invited into a piece into a Tranquility into a contentment

genuine. Joy that shuts down the things

that try to paralyze us. And one way you, and I can even

begin to move into that direction.

Even even listen, even if you're a person and you're like, I know

what you're about to say, maybe not, but I'm not a person who

deals with this. Would you be equipped so that

you can help your wife? Maybe?

Or you're nervous college student, son or daughter?

Has trying to pay off mountainous debt?

Just be equipped today. So, this is for you, whether you

struggle with it or not, understand that if we want to

even begin to be motivated to go to war, with anxiety, to wage

war against anxiety. Then we have to, we have to

understand it the way you, and I would with any other sin that is

threatening us. And that is to understand just

how dangerous it is if we tolerate it.

The reason why many people don't fight against in, at least one

reason is because they don't see just how powerful it is and how

destroying it can be to so many things and just like any other

sin anxiety. If not Ward against, if not

battled against, if not dealt with, by the power of God's word

can be deadly. Proof many students feel the the

pull of this from even going into the mission field and how

much more dangerous can it be than that, but it could be

dangerous to your fruitfulness. It can be dangerous to your

testimony. It could be deadly to your

perception of the Beauty and the faithfulness of God.

You have to understand that it is the root of many behaviors.

It is the encouragement of many other things that would taint

our character. Here's proof.

Meet me in Isaiah 57. Very briefly in verse 11.

This is just one example in the scriptures.

God speaks through his Prophet to a people who were who were in

sin and he highlights one of the sins and he highlights the

reason for this Nationwide flaw. And Isaiah, 57 11.

What do we see? God speaking whom did you dread

and fear so that you lied? And did not remember me, did not

lay it to heart, have I not held my peace even for a long time

and you do not fear me. You heard it last week.

The fear of the Lord is the great conqueror overall fears,

but that was last week. Notice with me what God says.

I'm indicting my people because they are lying.

There are habitual dishonesty and instead of just pointing out

the sin. He goes to the motive for the

sin. The reason for the sin and it is

in the first part, whom did you dread and fear?

What, what caused you to do this?

What caused you to be, to be short in this area of your life

fear, your fear, encourage you to lie?

And when you zoom out in this chapter and you realize what's

actually going on, this fear that in, just lead the people

into lying this fear, let him into idolatry.

To put their trust in something else.

Other than God to medicate their anxiety by a means in which God

condemns. And so we have to understand

here, that there is on a macro level and a micro level, a great

threat. When we allow anxiety to live in

our hearts. I mean, think about David for

those who were there on Fridays, think about David.

This man. Again, who can stand before a

goliaths. Well, Nations around.

Here, you are in a valley by yourself and yet with faith in

God, you overcame and that same man.

When he left Israel, because Saul was after him comes into

the land of the Is he realizes? He's on the radar?

And what does he do? Because of his fear?

He collapses to the floor. Let's saliva down his beard and

acts like he lost his mind. That's the same guy who stood

before Goliath. And here he is, acting like a

crazy man because he is fearful and he did not have a trust in

God. And so before an unbelieving

world. This is the guy that spoke in

the name of God. This is the guy that writes

songs about God. This is the guy who in the name

of God, overcame our Greatest Warrior.

And fear can lead you, and I to crazy behavior.

Crazy decisions. Even ones that would dishonor.

God, we're not careful, but I don't want us to spend all our

time together to dissect, the woes that our worries can

create. I want us to instead, look at

how we can equip ourselves to wage war against anxiety.

To subdue it because it seeks my brother and my sister to abuse

you to arrest you. And so we have to do what we

need to do. According to God's word to equip

ourselves and others. You're still an Isaiah, right?

So Mimi in Isaiah 26, to get an idea of it and verse 3, Isaiah

Isaiah 26:3

26:3, you keep him in. Perfect.

Peace. Not just peace.

Perfect. Peace.

Do you think God means it or is he being poetic here?

He means it and perfect. Peace, whose mind is stayed on

you because he trusts in you. What is what is being said?

Here? Here's the Insight.

Perfect piece is acquired. It is attained.

It is trained in the arena of your mind.

That is where we experience it. That is where we secure it.

But it is also the same place in which Havoc ensues, and chaos is

created and confusion cripples us.

It's in the mind. That's where we need to be

focused. That's what we need to turn our

attention. That's where God tells us to be

equipped and trained. If we want to know how we can

run this race in such a way in which anxiety, and it's arrows,

just bounce off of us if we really want to be Bulletproof.

Go to the mind. Meaning, the way we equip

ourselves, as with truth. That's how we pull down

strongholds. That's how we detect things.

That are not true. It's in the mind.

What do you let into the mind? What do you entertain in the

mind? What do you rehearse in the

mind? What do you meditate in your

mind? How do you calculate in your

mind? How do you filter things with

your mind? It's the mind.

It's the mind. And so, truth is our weapon.

This is what needs to be actively engaged with and so I

present to you for weapons. For Thought processes, throw

fourth mental exercises, that will help us overcome this.

And the first one is found in the Book of Matthew chapter 6.

Matthew 6 · chapter mention

And what I'm afraid is a familiar verse.

So familiar that we don't understand the implications of

it, but let's meditate today and see how we can be helped by the

words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 to 34.

Matthew 6:33–34

Hear the words of Jesus Christ. But seek first, the kingdom of

God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be added

to you. Therefore, do not be anxious

about tomorrow. For tomorrow will be anxious for

itself sufficient for the day, is its own trouble?

Number one. Remind yourself.

That you are carrying a burden that is not yours to carry.

For Jesus to command his people do not be anxious about

tomorrow. Implies that you spending time

and energy trying to understand the unknown, trying to see how

your Provisions can be met is not your responsibility.

It's not your job. It's not something that he's

called you to do Galatians, 6 tells us that each believer has

its own burdens to Bear. You have your own load, every

single one of us has been given a set of assignments and

giftings and his assignments to know what we need to do on a

daily basis with faithfulness and wholeheartedness, we all

have responsibilities and they're clearly laid out in the

word of God, but at the same time with ambitious, believers

who really want to obey God, I'm talking about good-hearted

Christians, they Are often tempted to lay more burden, on

themselves than God asked you to do.

And one of those worries, one of those worries is again, trying

to today figure out understand calculate plan.

How you can determine the unknown now for tomorrow?

That's not your job. It's not your responsibility.

You're wasting your time. Jesus, at the same time.

Is that advocating for loose? Let's eat and drink for

tomorrow. We die.

He's not saying, don't pray for Lea plan.

He's not saying do not be wise and consider your future.

He's not saying that. What are you saying is you need

to be extremely careful because there's a fine line between that

and being. So consumed with things that you

are not in control of that. It can be detrimental to your

purpose on Earth. Why is Jesus saying this here?

Is Jesus saying this so that we can have a better night's sleep.

That's a very small fraction. The reason why Jesus is saying

this here is because of what he said in verse 33, but seek

first, the kingdom of God. You know what?

He's trying to say you my child need a reserve that strength

that limited energy that you have the mindfulness for what

you're really on Earth for. And that is to be a servant of

mine that is to make disciples that is to spread the gospel.

That is to help people spread the gospel.

That's where I need. All your energy to be.

And what's What's So Scary About This is that he is teaching that

even the very small concerns in life can actually affect the

very purpose in which you've been placed on the earth.

He wants to protect what you have to offer for his kingdom.

And so he wants to assure you. That is your job, and mine is to

add these things to you, as you set yourself to pursue that

priority. Spurgeon.

Gave a wonderful illustration of a man who was helping his

friend, clear his furniture and he arrives at his friends door

with a heavy heavy backpack on his shoulders.

And as he begins to lift one couch, and one bed frame very

early on, he begins to complain. He begins to complain of just

how heavy everything is and how this is such a difficult task.

And he goes on to say, if that was your friend visiting you and

helping you would you not, would you not give him the Council of

just taking off your backpack, man?

Maybe you just let go of that. It will be much, much, lighter

much easier. And he says that to say that in

the same way. We cannot do God's work when we

are weighed down by our own burdens and worries.

He goes on to say in another place anxiety, does not empty

tomorrow of its Sorrows anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its

Sorrows. All it does is empty today of

its strength. Jesus early on says, it doesn't

add a single hour to your span of life, does it?

But it does add things nonetheless.

It adds exhaustion, it adds distraction and he can even add

disease if you love it that much.

And this unease can be so strong some of, you know, it can be so

strong that it can literally drain you of everything while

you do absolutely nothing. Just sit in your room with

anxiety and it can Pummel you. So we have to be careful these

attacks on the mind are not just about our health as important as

that is. It is an affront.

It is an obstacle to what should matter in our lives.

And that's to be a disciple of Jesus.

Is Christ and to be actively serving him?

And so, here's what I recommend that you do based on the words

of Jesus. Take this.

Doesn't apply to you put it in your Arsenal and help a brother

out in the future. When your, when your nerves are

are shaking and when your eyes are wide open when they should

be sound asleep, ask yourself the following question and your

understanding of the will of God.

Is this my responsibility or is it gods?

Have you ever asked, God, have you asked yourself?

Have you ever have you ever discerned it?

And then, once you come to a closer answer, solidify it by

the follow-up question. Is this in my control or not?

And that question being answered is so much more Liberty than you

can imagine. If we do not know how to draw

those lines, I'm telling you, you will invite unnecessary

turmoil into your life and it applies in so many ways, it even

applies in our efforts for the kingdom of God.

I can't tell you how many people that I've met that toss and turn

when it comes to serving the lord even in their service to

the Lord. And this question, this set of

questions is still applicable. For example.

Is it my responsibility to preach the gospel to my loved

ones? Answer?

Yes, is it my responsibility to see them?

Come to repentance? Answer?

No. Is it my responsibility to serve

the church that God has called me to serve with all that is

within me with persistence, and with love and with joy, answer.

Yes. Is it?

My responsibility for people to thank me.

Praise me, Pat me on the back. Appreciate me answer.

No, no Be Free by realizing. There are things that God has

called me to observe. And there are things that are

out of bounds and, and they don't involve my participation.

In fact, God says, don't go there because you will burden

yourself more. More than you need to burden

yourself. And that is so.

So, so important because rest comes from that.

Rest comes from understanding my responsibility and understanding

what belongs to God's wisdom and power alone.

May I add another thing to white people worried about the future

because that is the context worrying about tomorrow,

worrying, about what's going to happen worrying, about how

things are going to unfold. One reason why it is so

prevalent If we're honest for honest is because we seek to

have control and we can't get it when we don't know how things

are going to happen, right? It disturbs us.

This is beyond my ability. This is beyond my resources.

This is beyond my knowledge and I don't like not being in

control. It frustrates me and it's true.

Somebody said, I wish I said it but somebody figured it out.

Worry is frustration at our inability to be God.

May I say that again, worry is our frustration at our inability

to be God? We are among those who fret

about the future. I suggest that such overthinking

reveals something much more serious about ourselves because

anxiety, you know, what it is. It is a manifestation of a

fractured aspect of our belief system.

And what is that? Our perception of, who is really

Sovereign over our tomorrow's. The scriptures are absolutely

filled. I hope you know it, you've heard

this word being pounded from the pulpit for so long.

The scriptures from cover to cover are riddled with examples

and commands and promises and Psalms of God being so

providential. Being so aware being so in

control. So, in control that you can even

have a trust in his sovereignty, over over a cold, over a

sickness over a broken broken foot.

Because it's everywhere, it's everywhere.

And why I'm bringing that up in particular is because I remember

reading this verse years ago. And when I realized it was one

of my first initial Awakenings to the idea of just how in

control God is, as his children seek to give all that they have

to serving him who more surrendered in the Apostle Paul.

And at the same time who more aware, perhaps of the obvious

Sovereign working of the They're in our lives.

Can I show you one example, it's something that we often miss.

It's in Galatians in chapter 4. And look what Paul says, when he

tries to make an appeal through his brothers, guys.

You have to understand. I'm here for you.

The reason why I'm preaching this truth to you is because I

love you. Did you forget who I was Paul

says, did you forget how we met? Did you forget our history?

You think I'm writing these strong words to you?

Because I don't love, you know, I do love you.

It's so he's rehearsing. The relational history and he

goes off to share the moment, what it was that caused them to

even meet and for them to receive the Gospel to begin with

in verse 12 of Galatians. 4 Brothers.

I entreat you become as I am for.

I also have become as you are. You did me?

No wrong. Now, look at verse 13, you know,

it was because of a bodily ailment that I preach the gospel

to you at first. I love that.

Do you see it? What is he?

What is he pointing to? What is he?

What is he crediting on the human level?

He is saying if it wasn't for that sickness, that debilitated

me, that kept me in the region of galatia.

I wouldn't have been here long enough and we wouldn't have met

and the gospel wouldn't have come to you through my lips.

It was because of a bodily ailment that all of, this is

even in reality that there are churches in galatia because I

was sick. Consider that consider how

awesome that is consider that in God's wisdom.

He allowed this to happen for a greater purpose.

I don't know about you. I hate being sick, one of the

reasons because I feel extra week, and I feel like I can't

focus as much when I read and all these different things, but

I look at a verse like this and I realized that something that

even put Paul in his place. This Energizer.

I mean, you couldn't keep this guy in one place for too long

unless he was disciples. Ring or raising up a church.

He was always on the go demons. Couldn't keep up with a guy.

And yet, one at one point. He was so overcome by some

physical resistance that he had to stay in galatia, and it was,

the means by which the gospel came.

God has so much more control than you can imagine.

Even in the moment. You don't realize how why is

this happening for missionary? That could have been

frustrating. Lord.

I'm trying to get somewhere here.

Would you not heal me at this moment?

And here's God in heaven, knowing that because of this

bodily ailments some Galatians are going to hear the gospel.

Many churches will be raised up. We can stop here and rejoice.

What is it? I be concerned about what is it

to be worried about every delay. Every disappointment.

Even your own body being Afflicted.

God is sovereign. Be encouraged to know that

oftentimes our anxieties are us putting what God is only able to

do on our own shoulders. So ask God is this yours or

mine? And even if it is your

responsibility, there is a healthy way of being anxious.

Sometimes there is a healthy fear.

God has instilled that in many of us, but that's not what I'm

talking. I'm not talking about the fear

of you losing your job because you've been going to work late

every day and you're saying, I better get to work early.

That's a good fear. Keep that fear.

I'm talking about the fear of the things that you don't have

control of. Today has enough problems on its

own, but the second, the second weapon is found in 1st, Peter, 5

and verse 6 and 7. And that is to do this.

In your anxiety, with your anxiety, with your fear, be

honest before God, and behold him.

Be honest before, God and Behold Him.

Notice? What Peter says in First Peter

five six and seven, humble yourselves, therefore, under the

mighty hand of God. So that at the proper time, he

may exalt you. Casting all your anxieties on

him because he cares for you. Now.

I got to be honest for the longest time.

I read those two verses and interpreted them separate from

each other. I don't know if you fall into

that same category. But Peter intentionally by this

spirit is mentioning the need for the Christians to Humble

themselves and to cast their anxieties on the Lord.

That's the same thought. That's the same breath.

They're not two separate applications.

They're one in the same. So we might have not made the

connection between humbling ourselves and casting our

anxieties on him. But the Holy Spirit does.

And here's what it reveals that if there's anxiety living inside

of me. It is an indication that there

is humility lacking in me. Don't mean to cause more anxiety

with that thought, but it's liberating, if there is anxiety

living in me, right? That is an indication that there

is a level of humility lacking in me.

How can I be the case? Well, consider the primary

audience that Peter speaking to Christians?

Yes, suffering, Christians though, that Christians were

actually paying a price to be a Christian.

Not. Oh, I can't believe we have to

go to church this early on Sunday morning.

That's not suffering, like real suffering enough suffering for

Peter to write, and encourage them though.

Not explicit. It is suffering.

Nonetheless. They could be losing their jobs,

relational issues. They have to move places.

Who knows what it is? Are real.

Cost a real price to actually follow this Messiah and Peter.

Oh, Pastor. Peter wants to encourage this

group of Christians, and she know what Pastor Peter does to

these fretful and worried Christians who are suffering

persecution, first thing. He says here, humble yourselves.

That doesn't sound very pastoral.

Does it humble yourselves? Huh?

Are you sure? Yeah.

Yeah. Humble yourselves.

How can that be the case? Well, in essence, Peter saying

that the reason for your anxiety?

Is that because you have not submitted under the revelation

of God's Mighty hand. That's what it is.

Because when he says here, humble yourselves under God's

Mighty hand, that may sound intimidating, and that may sound

a little insensitive that may sound like or else.

God is going to punish you, but it's wonderfully comforting.

When he's bringing up God's Mighty hand, he's not speaking

about his hand of discipline. He's speaking about his hand of

power, his hand to deliver his hand, to rescue his hand, to

provide his hand to protect. What he what he's saying is you

have stepped outside of the umbrella of the Revelation that

God's invisible fingers are at work in the situation.

That no matter how chaotic or how severe, how painful it is.

It didn't leave the grip of his omnipotence.

It's not Beyond his control but you have walked outside of that,

you are now under some other concept and so you've not

humbled yourself there. You have not come to the point

of relishing and being safe in that shadow of truth.

And how is it then do we humble ourselves?

Will he says it the way you humble yourself?

The evidence of your humility is that you take it and you cast it

at his feet. To cast means to literally throw

away, like something that you don't want and you throw in the

opposite direction, do that spiritually, take it all and

come before him and lay it there.

And that is that reflex is an indication.

You have an understanding that God's Mighty hand is involved

here. You'd be amazed to know how many

professing Christians are extremely anxious, but have zero

prayer life. Zero, praise life.

It's incredible. I'm being honest here.

And that's why this verse is given to us.

Now. You know, what's so incredible

about this, the motive to do this is beautiful.

It's so it's so comforting. If Peter would have said, cast

all your anxieties on him because he's able to help you.

I that's good for me, man. That's good.

You're able to help me Lord. I'm coming to you all the time,

but that's not what he says, cast.

All your anxieties on him because he cares for you.

He cares for you, not just because he has a mighty hand.

But because he genuinely cares for you, you as an individual

not you as my bride. And the corporate sense though

that it's true, but you individually.

He actually cares and somebody who cares for somebody else,

genuinely finds joy in relieving any kind of pain or burden on

somebody else's life to know that they can alleviate you

brings them true satisfaction. Action.

And God is the same. And so our anxieties though.

They may be daily. Do not overwhelm him.

They don't cause him to say, you know, I have so much other

anxieties of worry about, I might not get to your problem

right away. That doesn't happen.

He does not sci-fi when you visit them again with the same

problem that you came with last week.

He cares. He genuinely cares.

As a doctor would when somebody comes with a with a disease that

has been eating your body away for even months.

He cares. To come to your rescue and to

help and to even just listen. And so what I do when I look at

this, as I view any anxiety attack any visitation of fear as

an opportunity to declare To declare to myself, to declare to

God. And even declared two, others

of, who is really the one that is in control.

Take Goliath's sword like David did and cut the head of the

enemy with the weapon. He try to use against you.

That makes sense. Yes, David slung his Stone and

it hit Glides in the head but read on, he gets on Goliath back

and the very same sword. That Goliath threatened Israel

with was used to decapitate his own head.

And that's a picture of Satan coming to us with his weapons.

Will take his weapons and use it back against him.

You want anxiety? Come against me.

I'm going to use that as a reason to praise God.

And go before him. Someone might say, but I tried

my brother. I tried, I've tried it.

Sounds good. It's all my coffee mug.

I got something from the Christian storage.

There on my wall cast, all your anxiety on him.

Because he cares for you, and I've expressed my Fierce to him

even, and I've, I've even declared my faith that he's in

control by guess what? I still have the shortness of

breath. And I still have non-stop

thoughts that literally distract me from daily activities.

Can I help you further? Don't just come.

Don't just come to drop off your needs and then walk away.

Stay there long enough to be hold them until you understand,

who it is? That really cares for you.

Stay there long enough. To behold them and to understand

who it is that I am entrusting my worries, too.

Humble yourselves under God's Mighty hand.

Do you understand how Mighty it is?

Do you have a reservoir of Truth in you?

Do you know, from cover to cover God's ways with his servants, in

the old gods ways? And his servant with the

servants in the new? Do you have something to work

with? So that when you come before

God, you're not, just honoring a prescription with a Halo

understanding, but you really believe you're the same God,

that help David. You're the same God, that help

Josie. You're the same God that led

Paul. You're the same God, that helped

Peter. You're the same God that was

with the early church, your the same God.

Stay there rehearse. It.

Read it. Preach to your heart.

Cast your anxieties on him. Yes, but don't just press the

right buttons and hope for something they come out.

Stay there and and humble yourself under the revelation of

his might and his power. And the peace.

That you will experience will come but the piece that you will

have access to is in direct proportion.

Listen to the knowledge of his ways.

Does that make sense? And I'll tell you what?

I told those Bible college students, if your understanding

of God's word is limited to the curriculum that you've been

given in your classes. You will not make it.

You will not make it. You versions verse of the day is

not going to help you my brother.

It's not. It's not, you need to get in and

you need to create a revelation in your heart, a reservoir

Revelation through a daily, understanding of God's word and

a rehearsing in a meditation upon his ways or else.

You're sunk, you're sunk. You're sunk.

Be honest before God. But many times you're gonna have

to stay there a bit longer to be Hold'em.

And you'd be amazed to know that when you get God's word in you

and a certain fear comes, 10 versus will come to attack that

fear. When this worry, this threat

persecution emails phone calls. When they come five verses here,

10 stories there, two truths here.

Let's go to the third Point. Shall we?

And that is found a Proverbs 12:25.

Proverbs 12:25

Don't only come before God in humility.

Yes, humility is an anxiety. Killer, but not only in our

confession to God. What do I mean by that?

There is a wisdom found in mutual confession.

As we bare our souls in the presence of those that we trust.

What do I get that from? Look at the book of wisdom says

in 12:25 anxiety, in a man's heart, weighs him down, but a

good word makes him glad. Anxiety, weighs him down, you

know what that means, depression, you know, that means

coming to church like this. You know what?

That means that while you're here, listening to the sermon

you're thinking about thoughts that are worrying.

You. Anxiety ways of men down limits

him paralyzes him holds him back.

But a good word. A good word.

Not a word. A good word makes him.

Glad let me tell you what. It doesn't mean.

It doesn't mean preach to yourself.

That's good that will help preach to yourself.

That's not what it's saying. Now.

This might shock you but bear with me here.

It's not even saying come to the Bible though.

You should and you must primarily because you have some

people that would say, you know, I'm good.

I have my prayer life and I have I have my devotionals.

I have YouVersion verse of the day.

I'm good. But what the same book that we

love and we receive our primary help from the same book.

The same word tells you, you need the words of others.

You believe that because this verse is often used to exhort

people be be a source of encouragement to others.

But can we look at the other side from the other angle?

And that is this, I myself need a good word.

I myself need an external voice to pour into me at times.

And that's going to require something, doesn't it?

Humility? Humility.

Being willing to unveil your heart and to communicate your

concerns. To somebody who actually walks

with God. So that in that moment.

They can speak God's promises. God's counsel God's wisdom and

dismantled the Distortion that you are struggling with that,

maybe knowing at you. Do not underestimate the value

of this. Do not underestimate it.

I feel so bad for those who think they're so spiritual, they

can walk this walk by themselves.

That does not impress me at all. And it shouldn't you.

That's actually dangerous. It's dangerous on so many

levels. And to those who might say,

well, I can't do this by myself. Can I say to you lovingly?

You have no idea what you're up against.

You have no idea what you're up against, because as much as

there is a call to her courage ourselves in the Lord.

Can I tell you that? It can be so overwhelming at

times, that that, that there may not even be the strength to pick

yourself up. And that is why God gives us

members and God gives us brothers and God gives us

outside help. As a means to be able to pick us

up. For those who are here Friday,

this will be familiar for those who don't come Friday or listen

to the Friday Bible study. There is a turning point in

David's life that plunge them into one of the greatest

compromises in history, and it might actually ruin your Sunday

school version of what David was like, David at one point in his

life spent a year and four months among the Philistines

that was wrong because nobody, who came into the promised land

as an Israel, had the right to go out.

Unless God explicitly said, you can go out.

David. David spent a year and four

months in the world. How how do you go there?

How does that even happen? It all started with something

that he said in his heart. I'm going to read it to you and

first Samuel 27:1, just pay attention.

1 Samuel 27:1

They'll turn their just listen, first, Samuel 27:1.

This is the turning point. This is what led this faithful

man to turn his back on the Promise Land and go and live

among the enemies of God. Then David said, in his heart.

Now I Shall Perish One Day by the hand of Saul.

There is nothing better for me than that.

I should escape to the land of the Philistines.

Then saw Will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders

of Israel and I shall Escape out of his hand.

David said in his heart. There is great wisdom and saying

things in your heart and keeping it, there may suggest that you

have some people who have nothing in their heart that just

everything comes out. Keep things in your heart, keep

things between you and the Lord like Mary contemplate things in

your own bosom. But there is also a wisdom from

time to time to take things out of your heart.

And my question is David, you songwriter.

Where is the cry before God with this concern?

Where's the psalm? Where's that?

Where's the prayer life? Where's the, where's the

outbursts of desperation? Not their secondary.

Where is you communicating this with somebody else?

What about your Godly wife, Abigail?

Yeah, I know. Jonathan is not very close and

he's helped you. But wasn't there, a revelation

of how he strengthen your hand of Lord, how somebody else can

actually redirect your thoughts. Where is that confession?

Where is that? It's not there.

And because he confined within himself, and he meditated and he

believes something long enough. It literally let him his family

and 600 others into the world. This poor soul knows what it's

like to call somebody and say this and this and that and just

receive a flood of wisdom in such a way that also floods your

heart with. Peace.

You need that. And so, the third weapon here

is, stay close to those who possess a tongue of healing and

wisdom. Stay under Elders, who walk with

God. Walk with those who don't just

make you laugh. But who actually can provide

some guidance and speak into the situation such a way that rays

of light penetrate those dark clouds in your soul.

Because if you and I isolate, not just physically, but even

internally for too long with issues like this, we can walk in

a direction that could have been dealt with from the from the

bud. If you had just unveiled, your

heart and said, I'm not just going to humble myself before

God. I'm going to humble myself

before my brother. This is eating at me, James 5,

right? Confess your sins to one

another. And what do we limit that to

you? Watch pornography last week and

your next small group? Tell everybody that you watch

pornography. That's good.

Here's the problem. Do we consider anxiety as Sin?

We don't consider that in our categories of confession Dewey.

This is killing me. This has been weeks.

It's been days of keeps me up and I can't read my Bible.

I can't pray. I'm not even, I'm not even

Desiring to be in the ministry because because this is just

consuming confess it. Let healing come.

Stay close to those. Who possess a tongue of wisdom

tongue of healing tongue of love.

Let's come to the last one. Distinguish anxiety with a

torrent of Thanksgiving. You heard this recently, but

sometimes there's benefit and repetition Philippians 4.

Verse 6. Do not be anxious about

anything. You know why?

We're ending it with this. Because I understand that fears

and worries, and concerns despair, despondency can be very

specific and sometimes with one message.

You can't cover it all. That's very, very true.

And I know it's complicated to because there's chemical

imbalances and there's this and that I'm just giving you God's

prescription on the issue, but I end with Philippians 4:6 because

Philippians 4:6

I love how Paul introduces this. Do not be anxious about

anything. So no matter what, it is,

whatever the category future, you got bad news today

persecution. It doesn't matter what it is.

Do not be anxious about anything and here's the prescription

about anything that you are anxious about.

But in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving,

let your requests be made known to God.

You were there. Weren't you not too long ago

when we talked about the power of gratitude, but let me remind

you. Oftentimes, this scripture is

pointed to as a reference when counseling, somebody or

counseling our own Souls about things that we're anxious about

go. Pray, go see God, go tell him

your problems go make your needs known great, but that's half of

it. Because the scripture here,

doesn't tell me just going. Make your demands known the

scripture. The same you tell me.

Come and just cry before. God, that that's not what its

saying. There is an attitude in which

I'm coming before the Lord and it is an attitude of praise.

Think about that. Think about how much such a

wonderful promise. Like this has not been known in

the results because we have not honored.

The entire instruction. We've come to pray, we come to

supplicate, we come to do all this and then we forgot an

integral part. And that is, did you did you

thank him though. Could you come with

Thanksgiving? Because that's what he's saying,

come with Thanksgiving. And I'm going to tell you

something. That is not going to come

automatically. There's no way.

The last thing on your mind when you are anxious and coming

before God with your needs is praise.

So you have to listen. This is where faith comes in and

Truth Trump's over feelings. You have to go in there into the

presence of God with the intentional plan to thank him

and not just with intention but with specifics.

Go specifically and begin to thank him.

You know, I've often said if you're going to pray, generally,

you're going to get general answers. if your prayer life is

General, you're going to get general answers, and I don't

want to pray in such a way where when the answer comes out

confuse it with coincidence. I want to pray in such a way

that when the answer comes. I know, it's God.

That's God. George Mueller's biography shows

how important is to pray, specifically, it just gives God

all the glory. But can I add to that?

Don't thank God, generally, thank him.

Specifically, as you begin to dissect, all the things that

you're thankful for watch. How is just one jolt after the

other. Because Thanksgiving, is the

sound that awakens the eyes of the heart to see that God is

behind everything. I thank you for.

I, thank you for today. That's a great.

That's a great prayer. But what do you mean by that?

Sometimes we can pray that and that can be enough, but

sometimes we need more than that.

And begin to list in your heart, begin to list from your lips,

the things that you're thankful for and I'm telling you that

Thanksgiving is often overlooked as a force against fear.

But it is profound when it is applied regularly.

I want to give you one final example of that.

Through Matthew Henry. You've probably read his

commentary Matthew Henry had his wallet stolen once.

Guess what? He did.

He drew on the praise. Here's what Matthew Henry said.

Lord, I Thank you. That I have never been robbed

before. That, although they took my

money, they spared my life. That although, they took

everything it wasn't very much. And that it was I who was robbed

and not, I who robbed. Even hearing how being thankful

specifically is powerful, isn't it?

And so, I charge you today to extinguish anxiety with a

torrent of Thanksgiving. And I can't think of anything

that will be quicker for the peace of God to flood your

heart, when you come with that duo of bringing your needs

before and but also leaving that place, making sure that you've

thanked him. When you bring these things

together, as you've heard among many other truths in the

scripture, but these four truths, I can guarantee you

according to the authority of the scripture.

You will have great success in your war against anxiety.

Will it be immediate? Maybe not.

But as you build these muscles, and as you put your faith in

them, and as you apply them, I hope to hear testimonies from

this. Place of how God has given much

victory over this thing. And God will indeed be bias in

with us. Let's pray.

Lord. In light of this.

We thank you. We thank you.

God. We thank you.

Thank you, that we are where we are today because of your grace.

Thank you. That we are in this church

because of your grace. Thank you, Lord, that we have

Liberty to still sing and hear the word of God without fear.

Thank you. Thank you for our families.

Thank you for our mothers. Thank you for the mothers of

this house. Thank you for the woman who have

dedicated so much for this ministry for your glory.

Lord. We thank you that we have ears

to hear this message today. We thank you that we have eyes

to see. Thank you, Lord, that we have

the ability to stand and to be able to worship you.

Thank you, that we have a voice to worship you.

Thank you, that we have the ability to just be here

together. We just ask that these truths

would be remembered help us. Lord, as we heard earlier, help

us, praise you help us pray to you.

Lord help us believe that no matter what circumstance that we

are in. We have still the ability to

say, thank you and Lord as simple as Elementary as that is

where we need the faith to believe that it has power.

It has power help us. See what belongs to us.

What belongs to you help us understand the value of of

another brother in our lives. Help us understand.

Lord, that in moments of anxiety.

That's also an indication that perhaps we have.

To see your Sovereign hand in the situation.

And so we humble ourselves before you.

And so, Lord, even now as we pray, if there's anybody in

here, father, who is tormented by this tension who is overcome

by this turmoil Lord met in this moment.

We just humble ourselves, say, you are in control, father, you

are control of my body, you're in control of my health, you're

in control of my babies and their future.

You're a control of all these things that I think I am

Sovereign over lord. I commit to you.

I do my part and I let you do yours.

May this be the Turning Point O. God may this be the moment that

they can look back on and say that's why I left my burdens

once and for all Lord, we worship you.

We give you all the glory. And thanks for your word, and we

bless it now. In Jesus name.

Amen. Stand and Worship the Lord

together. Stand and Worship the Lord

together.