Fellowship Bible Church - Mullica, Hill N.J.

TODAY'S LESSON:

Safe in the Storm: Biblical Strategies for Overcoming Anxiety

•It may not feel like pride, but it is.
•It may not feel like God cares, but he does.
•It may not feel like it will be harmful, but it will be.

Believe the Word, not Your feelings

•It may not feel like pride, but it is – HUMBLE yourself (1 Pet. 5:6)

Believe the Word, not Your feelings

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

•It may not feel like God cares, but he does – TRUST him (1 Pet. 5:7).

Believe the Word, not Your feelings

1 Peter 5:7
…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

The logical relationship between the two clauses is as follows: believers humble themselves by casting their worries on God. Conversely, if believers continue to worry, then they are caving in to pride. How can anxiety and worry be criticized as pride? We can see that it might be a lack of faith, but does it make sense to identify worry as pride? Worry is a form of pride because when believers are filled with anxiety, they are convinced that they must solve all the problems in their lives in their own strength.

The only god they trust in is themselves. When believers throw their worries upon God, they express their trust in his mighty hand, acknowledging that he is Lord and Sovereign over all of life. As one has said, “Affliction either drives one into the arms of God or severs one from God.” …God is not indifferent, nor is he cruel. He has compassion on his children and will sustain them in every distress.

The New American Commentary

•It may not feel like it will be harmful, but it will be – GUARD your thoughts (1 Pet. 5:8).

Believe the Word, not Your feelings

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

•Change how you think about worry.
•Change how you think about prayer.
•Change what you think about.

Change your mind, not your Circumstances

Change how you think about worry – God commands us not to; when we do, we sin (Phil. 4:6)

Change your mind, not your Circumstances

Philippians 4:6
"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Change how you think about prayer. Make it your pattern, not your panic button (Phil. 4:6).

Change your mind, not your Circumstances

Philippians 4:6
"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Change what you think about – It’s your mind. You are response–able to control it (Phil. 4:8).

Change your mind, not your Circumstances

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things

Believe the Word, not your feelings (1 Pet. 5:7).
Change your mind, not your circumstances (Phil. 4:6-8).
Desire God, not simply relief from anxiety (Psalm 37:3-7).