Let’s take the proactive look and learn how to stay “attentive to anxiety.” We will learn how to do this from two of the more complete teachings in the Bible (one from Jesus, the other from the Apostle Paul) on handling the worries and anxieties that come from life.
Matthew 6:19-34
- Many worries start with A__________________________. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 19-24
- Determine life’s B___________________________________. “There I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will east or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” 25
- Watch for the C_________________ to stay attentive every day! “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more than they?” 26
- There is a D________________ associated with anxieties. “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life.” 27
- The real problem is one of E____________________________. “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field….will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?” 28-30
- After all, aren’t we Christians the F“___________________________”? “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” 31-32
- The solution is in our G________________________________! “But seek first his kingdom and his righteous-ness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 33
- Jesus said it a third time, H“_______________________!” “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow…” 34a
- One key is to see it as a DAILY battle to win. “There do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 34
Philippians 4:4-9
- Be Attentive to Anxiety with I________________________. Verse 4
- Be Attentive to Anxiety with J________________________. Verse 5
- Be Attentive to Anxiety with K________________________. Verse 6
- Be Attentive to Anxiety with L________________________. Verse 6 “with thanksgiving.”
- Be Attentive to Anxiety with M________________________. Verse 7
- Be Attentive to Anxiety with N________________________. Verse 8
- Be Attentive to Anxiety with O________________________. Verse 9
Peak Passage of the Week:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
QUESTIONS & EXERCISES
For Daily Devotionals or Bible Study Group
- The first “Do not worry” from Jesus is in verse 25 and in the context of his teachings on money becoming a “god” for some people. What are some ways money contributes to your personal anxieties? What are some steps to correct this?
- The second “Do not worry” from Jesus is in verse 31 as he was talking about the “things” of this world, even things that are necessary but get too much attention as to create anxiety. What are some of those things in your life? What are some steps to correct this?
- The third “Do not worry” from Jesus is in verse 34 when he teaches us to focus on today and not to worry about tomorrow. Why are so many of our worries about the past or the future? What can we do to live more in the “now” time of each day?
- In Philippians 4, Paul’s words to “not be anxious about anything” seem impossible. What do you think he is trying to say to us? How does prayer fit into this? How does peace of mind factor as well?
- In verse 8, Paul speaks about controlling what you think. Anxiety is a condition of the mind. How can we overcome anxiety with a healthy mind control? What practical steps could you take?
