Stop Worrying and Start LivingStop Worrying and Start LivingPart 1: Be Not Anxious

What Is Worry?What Is Worry?

• “Worry” comes from the Gr. word merimnao translated “take thought” or “care”; from merizo, “to divide” and nous, the “mind”; lit. “the mind drawn in opposite directions; divided; pulled apart” (anxious, worry)

• “Care” (Gr. merimna) can be used in a good sense (2 Cor. 11:28), but it is often used in a bad sense (Mt. 13:22; Mk. 4:19; Lk. 8:14; 21:34)

What Is Worry?What Is Worry?

• “Care” (Gr. merimnao) can be used in a good sense (1 Cor. 12:25; Phil. 2:20), but is often used in a bad sense (Mt. 6:25-34; Lk. 10:41; 12:22-24; Phil. 4:6)

• “Worry” is not just concerned care; one may care for his health, family, job, religion, etc.

• “Worry” is care over things that one cannot control or change (Mt. 6:27, 34; 10:19-20)

What Is Worry?What Is Worry?• Many worry over what has already happened

in the past (past mistakes)

• Many worry over what has not yet happened in the future or what will never happen

• Many worry over what will inevitably happen (old age, death)

• Many worry over what is happening now but is trivial

Jesus and Worry: Mt. Jesus and Worry: Mt. 6:25-346:25-34• Worry is distracting:Worry is distracting: You cannot properly

serve God and put him first while distracted with earthly materialism and distorted priorities (vv. 19-25)

• Worry is absurd: Worry is absurd: You, who are more valuable, will not be neglected by God while he is caring for the birds and the flowers (vv. 26, 27-30)

• Worry is futile: Worry is futile: You cannot change what cannot be changed; it’s worthless (v. 27)

Jesus and Worry: Mt. Jesus and Worry: Mt. 6:25-346:25-34• Worry is faithless: Worry is faithless: You will not be showing

proper faith in God as your Father (v. 30) … [ comp. with Mt. 8:26 (fear), Mt. 14:31 (doubt), and Mt. 16:8 (human reasoning) ]

• Worry is worldly: Worry is worldly: You do not need to be acting like the world (v. 32)

• Worry is unnecessary: Worry is unnecessary: You do not need to concern yourself with what God will take care of anyway (v. 32)

Jesus and Worry: Mt. Jesus and Worry: Mt. 6:25-346:25-34• Worry is prohibited: Worry is prohibited: You will be going against

what Jesus said: “Take no thought…” or “Be not anxious…” (vv. 25, 31, 34)

• Worry is hindering: Worry is hindering: You will be hindered from putting God’s kingdom/righteousness first (v. 33)

• Worry borrows troubles: Worry borrows troubles: You can live only one day at a time (v. 34)

Stop Worrying & Start Stop Worrying & Start LivingLiving

• Many, including Christians, are wealthy, healthy, intelligent, advanced; yet, they are paralyzed by worry and anxiety, they are robbed of their peace of mind

• Paul agrees with Jesus: “Be anxious for nothing…” (Phil. 4:6)