A couple more thoughts about worry

As I reflected on Sunday’s sermon a little more, a couple more thoughts came to mind:

There were several key statements in the sermon.  Among them were:

• “Worry is the sin of distrusting the promise and providence of God.” [John MacArthur]
• Worry can come from both affluence and deprivation.  Both betray a false priority that says food and clothing are the focus of our existence.  And both betray a false trust in God — believing that He is able to give us life, but not able (or not willing) to sustain life.
• If God cares for the lesser (birds), will He not care for the greater (His children)?
• Anxiety cannot deliver what it promises to give.
• Anxiety exists because faith is weak.  Worry is unbelief in a sovereign God.  It is a failing faith.
• Something is amiss in our hearts when we speak of a sovereign God and yet cultivate worry at the same time.
• Every time I worry, I am living like a pagan.
• When we worry, we act like God is uninformed, incapable, and uncaring.
• It is ironic and sad that we are prone to worrying about our physical needs and are reticent to be concerned with our spiritual needs.
• The replacement to worry is Christ — instead of cultivating sinful worry, be preoccupied with Christ.
• There will be a problem tomorrow, and tomorrow God will be sufficient for you.

I noted in a recent post, “Are you anxious for anything?” that there are several steps to take when anxious (these originally came from Paul Tripp):

• Remind Yourself That God Is In Control
• Accept Confusion
• Don’t Allow Emotions To Rule
• Distinguish Needs From Wants
• Know Your Job Description
• Run To God, Not Away From Him

In his book, Future Grace, John Piper provides much help in stimulating our faith to trust in God in the future because of His provision from the past.  Consider as an example this statement.