The Greatest Remedy for Your Worry

6 Days

Day 1

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Welcome to day one of our study, From Anxiety to Intimacy. Today, Ben Stuart shares his personal experience with anxiety and asks how we move from the world's anxiety to intimacy with God.

And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:29-32

We can be comforted by these words of scripture when we’re feeling anxious, understanding that intimacy with God is the ultimate remedy to anxiety.

So, let’s start by just processing these words that God has given us.

Summary

Anxiety does have power.

It can even impact us physically.

In this study, we will look biblically at anxiety in the world and intimacy with God.

Matthew 6:25-34: Jesus presents anxiety as one of the greatest impediments to our God-given destiny. It gets in the way of us seeking the Kingdom.

Luke 8:11-15: In the parable of the sower, Jesus says there is a soil that the seed grows well in, but is then choked out by weeds. He calls one of the weeds the worries of this life. His point is that worry chokes out life.

Luke 10:39-42: Martha was anxious about many things and getting annoyed with the people around her. She was so focused on her anxiety that she was missing the major thing...the Messiah was right in front of her.

Luke 12:29-32: It's God's pleasure to give us the Kingdom. Be comforted by these words.

Jesus addresses us as a little flock. We are sheep in need of a Shepherd, and He longs to care for us.

What's Next?

Today, open a dialogue with God about your anxiety with a simple prayer. Ask him to move along with you from anxiety to intimacy. Intimacy with God is the remedy to anxiety in the world.

Scripture References

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

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 valuable than they?

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life

“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, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

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.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.

Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,”

the Lord answered,

“you are worried and upset about many things,

but few things are needed—or indeed only one.

Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

22Cast your cares on the

Lord

and he will sustain you;

he will never let

the righteous be shaken.

1There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

4a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Ben Stuart

Ben Stuart is the pastor of Passion City Church D.C. Prior to joining Passion City Church, Ben served as the executive director of Breakaway Ministries on the campus of Texas A&M. He also earned a master’s degree in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Donna, live to inspire and equip people to walk with God for a lifetime.