“How To Stop Worry

Taking Over Your

Life”

Matthew 6.25-34

“But when they arrest you, do not

worry about what to say or how to

say it. At that time you will be

given what to say,”

(Matthew 10:19 NIV11)

Even Jesus’ followers would have things to worry about!

“The seed falling among the

thorns refers to someone who

hears the word, but the worries of

this life and the deceitfulness of

wealth choke the word, making it

unfruitful.”

(Matthew 13:22 NIV11)

Worry can make us unfruitful

“Do not be anxious about

anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with

thanksgiving, present your

requests to God.”

(Philippians 4:6 NIV11)

Not worrying is a command. Worrying in itself since this

seems so difficult!

• Worry: merimnate

• Look: emblepsate

• See: katamathete

• Seek: zeteite

Four words are in the imperative in this passage

1. Look at the Birds

vv26-27

emblepoto look attentively, gaze

earnestly, at an object; to

look searchingly or

significantly

My mother-in-law is a keen ornithologist. Seen here with a

vulture on her arm. She is someone serious about looking at

the birds!

http://www.wysinfo.com/Migratory_Birds/Migratory_Birds_Without_Boundaries.htm#Migration_path

s

500 million birds migrate through the Middle East every year

2. See the Flowers

vv28-32

katamanthanoto learn or observe

thoroughly; to consider

accurately & diligently,

contemplate

3. Seek First His

Kingdom

v33

zeteoto seek, look for; to search after; to be on

the watch for; to pursue, endeavour to

obtain; to desire, wish, want; strive for; to

require, demand; to inquire or ask

questions; to deliberate, to seek to kill.

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or

tomorrow we will go to this or that city,

spend a year there, carry on business

and make money.” Why, you do not even

know what will happen tomorrow. What

is your life? You are a mist that appears

for a little while and then vanishes.”

(James 4:13–14 NIV11)

James warns us of over-thinking our future plans

“Cast all your anxiety on

him because he cares

for you.”

(1 Peter 5:7 NIV11)

Peter tells us what to do with our worries

3 Places to Look

1. Look up

2. Look around

3. Look to God

3 Solutions to Worry

1. Read the Sermon on the Mount

2. Live One Day at a Time

3. Pray your Anxieties onto God

Said the robin to the sparrow:

‘I should really like to know

Why these anxious human beings

Rush about and worry so.’

Said the sparrow to the robin:

‘Friend, I think it must be

That they have no heavenly Father,

Such as cares for you and me.’