Study Guide: "What If... I Wouldn't Worry?"

Text: Matthew 6:19-34

OPEN: 

We're in the third week of our series called "What If?" The purpose of the series is to explore the possibility of abandoning some bad habits and picking up some good habits, of abandoning some bad ideas and adopting good ideas, so that our lives can become more effective, more productive, and more satisfying.

Last week we looked at what I referred to as the most difficult of the adaptations -- changing the way one thinks. This week we'll look at the most futile of human tendencies: the habit of worry. These two topics, taking control of your thoughts and getting over the worry habit, are closely connected.

Worry is a damaging choice that reveals a heart problem, but it may be overcome with prayerful action.

I. WORRY PREVENTS US FROM RECOGNIZING GOD'S GOODNESS.

1. Worry causes health problems. 

When you begin to take a look at worry, you see that it causes nothing but trouble in your life. 

The Old English word from which we get the word worry originally meant "to choke." Worry has a choking quality about it, doesn't it? In fact it causes all kinds of health problems. It leads to greater anxiety; it leads to sleeplessness; it leads to a loss of appetite; or even worse for some people, it leads to overeating; it leads to headaches, acid reflux, high blood pressure, ulcers, even respiratory problems.

2. Worry keeps you from enjoying the moment. 

To use a cliché, worry doesn't just remove years from your life, it removes the life from your years. 

It prevents you from getting the most out of today. Have you ever found yourself in a beautiful setting, where the sun is shining and the sky is clear and the air is fresh and life is filled with beautiful colors, and it's almost a perfect moment -- but you can't enjoy it because you're obsessed with some potential problem? I've been there more times than I can count. And I thought: Wouldn't it be nice if I didn't have this problem to deal with?

3. Worst of all, worry is a sin. 

Worry stems from a lack of faith, and anything that is not of faith, the Bible says, is a sin. 

When we worry, we're saying, in effect, "God, this problem is bigger than you. And I don't believe I can count on you to get me through it." That's a sinful attitude. 

II. RIDDING OURSELVES OF WORRY BRINGS GOD BACK INTO FOCUS.

If you're willing to give up worry, your life will get better in a number of ways...

1. You'll learn to focus on what's important.

When we worry, we tend to over-emphasize the significance of less-than-significant things. Jesus said...

(v. 25) "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"

Most of the things we worry about are trivial -- especially in comparison to the ultimate concerns of life and eternity.

2. You'll recognize the provision of God.

(v. 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-you of little faith?"

Most of the things we worry about are trivial, and, in my experience, most of the things we worry about never come to pass. 

God comes through for us, because he is good and faithful. When you're willing to let go of worry, you can see more clearly how he provides for you in each and every situation.

III. ERADICATING WORRY REQUIRES COURAGEOUS ACTION.

So the question is, how do you learn to let go of worry? Today we'll look at three steps you can take to help you put worry in its place. First of all...

1. Check your priorities.

In Matthew 6 Jesus preached on the topic of worry. We read the passage earlier. It's interesting that before he talks about dealing with worry, he talks about dealing with priorities. He reminds us not lay up treasures for ourselves on earth, but instead to seek treasure in heaven. He reminds us that we can't serve two masters. We can't serve God and money. And he tells us...

(v. 34) "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Worry is a signal that something isn't right -- and it's usually related to our priorities. When we worry, it's because we're putting something ahead of God. That means that when you worry, sin is involved. When I get wrapped in worry, I begin by asking myself: What have I put ahead of God in this situation?

We worry about the things we're not sure of, so make the effort to rethink your priorities. Jesus said the most important thing in life is to "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness..."

The second way to deal with worry is...

2. Check your prayer-life.

Just as worry is a signal that something isn't right, it's also a signal that we need to devote more time to prayer. In the book of Philippians, Paul said...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

Prayer has the power to remove worry and anxiety from your life -- when you give it a chance.

In my life I have noticed an inverse correlation between prayer and worry. How much I do of one determines how much I do of the other. If you want to get rid of worry, focus on praying more.

Here's the third thing you can do...

3. Check your practices.

Take the right action in the right direction.

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9)

The key phrase here is "put it into practice." Just as there is a correlation between worry and prayer, there is a correlation between worry and action. The more you do of one, the less you'll do of the other.

CLOSE:

Worry is a damaging choice that reveals a heart problem, but it may be overcome with prayerful action.

Worry is a signal that something isn't right. It's not part of God's plan for your life. He never promises us a life without rain or sorrow or struggles ... but he does promise you and me a life without worry.

So when worry creeps into your life, it's a signal that something isn't right. You could say that worry is a call to action. When you're worried, you know that it's time to make some changes.

Application:

Today I want you to think about one worry in your life. Choose one, and with this topic of worry in your mind, ask yourself some questions.

1. What are my priorities here? Am I seeking God first in this situation, or am I seeking me first? 

2. Have I prayed about this? Am I casting my worries on him in prayer, or am I giving the matter lip service and not really letting go of it?

3. Have I taken action in the direction of my worries?

(Dr. Dane Fowlkes)