The Trusting Mother
Depending on God
Overcoming our Fears
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 6:25-34 - 25 “For this reason I say to
you, do not be worried about your life, as to
what you will eat or what you will drink; nor
for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not
life more than food, and the body more than
clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that
they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not worth much more than
they? 27 And who of you by being worried can
add a single hour to his life? (NAS)
Matthew 6:25-34 (cont.) - 28 And why are you
worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies
of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they
spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon
in all his glory clothed himself like one of
these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the
field, which is alive today and tomorrow is
thrown into the furnace, will He not much
more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not
worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or
‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear
for clothing?’ (NAS)
Matthew 6:25-34 (cont.) - 32 For the Gentiles
eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly
Father knows that you need all these things. 33
But seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness, and all these things will be added
to you.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for
tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own. (NAS)
What were you afraid of as a kid?
Most of our fears are irrational.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
I.
The Things We Fear
II.
Fear and Faith
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
I.
The Things We Fear
We assume we know what
“fear”, “anxiety” and
“worry” mean.
Fear is a response to a
perceived threat, real or
imagined.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
I.
The Things We Fear
We assume we know what
“fear”, “anxiety” and
“worry” mean.
Anxiety is our reaction to
an undefined, unknown
threat or danger.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
I.
The Things We Fear
We assume we know what
“fear”, “anxiety” and
“worry” mean.
Worry is “preoccupation.”
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
I.
The Things We Fear
Four categories of fear:
1.
Fear of loss
2.
Fear of failure
3.
Fear of rejection
4.
Fear of the unknown
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II.
Fear and Faith
The opposite of faith?
It’s faith in the wrong
things.
It’s faith in the “what-ifs.”
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II.
Fear and Faith
Moses wrestled with the
“what-ifs.” – Exodus 3 & 4
3:11 – What if they reject
me?
3:13 – What if they reject
You?
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II.
Fear and Faith
Moses wrestled with the
“what-ifs.” – Exodus 3 & 4
4:1 – What if they will not
believe me or listen to
what I say?
4:10 – What if they reject
me because of my speech?
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II.
Fear and Faith
Have you been there with
Moses?
We don’t consider God.
We consider all the bad
things that can happen.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II.
Fear and Faith
What-ifs matter.
1. They reveal what we
value most.
2. They also revel where
we trust God the least.
Matthew 6:27
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II.
Fear and Faith
So why do we do it?
We’re afraid to trust God.
We feel like we have some
control.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
First, God is not the source
of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7
2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has
not given us a spirit of
timidity, but of power and
love and discipline. (NAS)
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
First, God is not the source
of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7
Written to a preacher.
God is the source of
power, love and discipline.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Second, we have to face
our greatest fears.
You can’t fix what you
can’t identify.
Admit it.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Once identified, fear can
be surrendered to God.
Doesn’t mean “pretend it
doesn’t exist.”
Allow God to help.
James 1:5
James 1:5 - But if any of you
lacks wisdom, let him ask of
God, who gives to all
generously and without
reproach, and it will be given
to him. (NAS)
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Put yourself in David’s
shoes.
A faithful servant.
Saul was still jealous.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
From David’s perspective,
this was horrific!
Psalm 56:1-4
Psalm 56:1-4 - 1 Be gracious to
me, O God, for man has trampled
upon me;
Fighting all day long he oppresses
me.
2 My foes have trampled upon
me all day long,
For they are many who fight
proudly against me. (NAS)
Psalm 56:1-4 – (cont.) - 3 When I
am afraid,
I will put my trust in You.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid.
What can mere man do to me?
(NAS)
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
From David’s perspective,
this was horrific!
Psalm 56:1-4
Overwhelmed and
terrified.
Choosing to trust God.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Psalm 56:1-4
“What can man do to
me?”
A lot!
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Psalm 56:1-4
“What can man do to
me?”
What did he mean then?
Refocus his view.
Nothing eternal.
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Third, you must seek God.
Our fears will evaporate.
Three passages:
Jeremiah 29:12, 13
Jeremiah 29:12, 13 - 12 Then you
will call upon Me and come and
pray to Me, and I will listen to
you. 13 You will seek Me and find
Me when you search for Me with
all your heart. (NAS)
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Third, you must seek God.
Our fears will evaporate.
Three passages:
Jeremiah 29:12, 13
Matthew 6:31-34
Matthew 6:31-34 - 31 Do not worry
then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or
‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will
we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the
Gentiles eagerly seek all these
things; for your heavenly Father
knows that you need all these
things. (NAS)
Matthew 6:31-34 (cont.) - 33 But
seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness, and all these things
will be added to you. 34 “So do not
worry about tomorrow; for
tomorrow will care for itself. Each
day has enough trouble of its own.
(NAS)
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Third, you must seek God.
Our fears will evaporate.
Three passages:
Jeremiah 29:12, 13
Matthew 6:31-34
Philippians 4:6
Philippians 4:6 - Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. (NAS)
Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
III. Finding Our Way Out
of Fear
Third, you must seek God.
“But where do I find
Him?”
Psalm 34:4
Psalm 34:4 - I sought the Lord,
and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my
fears. (NAS)
Fear as a fire –
God wants us to trust Him.
1. Remember, fear doesn’t come from
God.
2. To overcome fear, we have to face it.
3. To overcome fear, we need to seek
God.
God will help us!