Stress and Anxiety | Let’s Talk About It
Let’s Talk About It
Stress and Anxiety…
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) 28“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. 29Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Stress: The body’s response to external pressures or demands and or a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation.
Anxiety: A feeling of worry, nervousness, fear, dread or unease about something with an uncertain outcome as a reaction to stress.
Proverbs 12:25 (NKJV) 25Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.
Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) 25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
SOUL TATTOO: By faith in Jesus Christ, you can overcome stress and anxiety, trusting in His peace and strength to carry you through.
1 Samuel 13:14 (ESV) 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”
Acts 13:22 (ESV) 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
KING DAVID: David’s Stress and Anxiety:
1. David was persecuted by King Saul.
2. David was betrayed by his son Absalom.
3. David had moral failures and severe consequences.
4. David had a lot of family turmoil.
5. David was a great leader and a man of war.
King David’s reliance on God and response to stress and anxiety:
1. David prayed and worshipped.
Psalm 142:1-2 (NIV) I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.
Psalm 34:1 (ESV) I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Worship helped David shift his focus from his problems to God’s greatness and faithfulness.
2. David sought God’s guidance.
Psalm 31:14-15 (ESV) 14But I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ 15My times are in your hands…
David’s trust in God’s timing and plan helped him navigate the stressful seasons of his life.
3. David repented and was humble.
Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV) 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Instead of defending himself or ignoring his wrongdoing, David confessed his sins and sought God’s mercy, relying on God’s grace for restoration.
4. David trusted in God’s promises.
1 Samuel 30:6b (NIV) But David found strength in the Lord his God.
Instead of succumbing to despair, David sought God’s guidance and moved forward with God’s help.
5. David was dependent on God’s protection and deliverance.
Psalm 18:2-3 (NLT) 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. 3 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.
David attributed his victories and safety to God’s intervention rather than his own abilities.
Overcoming Stress and Anxiety Through Faith:
1. Acknowledge your stress and anxiety and cast it on God.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) 7Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
2. Find rest in God’s presence.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) 28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
3. Replace worry with prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
4. Trust in God’s Plan and Timing.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 5Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
5. We have the victory in Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV) But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
SOUL TATTOO: By faith in Jesus Christ, you can overcome stress and anxiety, trusting in His peace and strength to carry you through.