Sunday School at 9 am | worship at 10 am

Well, What Are You Worried About?

As Americans, we are regarded as having one of the highest standards of living in the world, yet issues like worry and anxiety and depression are on the rise among us.  This is why we’re dedicating a series of sermons to deal with the problems that are so common among us.  This week we’re going to face the issue of anxiety.

 

Consider these statistics:

 

  • Stress and anxiety will significantly affect over 19 million Americans this year.
  • Thirty-three percent of Americans will suffer job burnout in their lifetime.
  • Seventy percent of Americans will find themselves unhappy with their job because of stress at some point in their life.
  • Seventy-three percent of Americans worry specifically over money.

 

Are Christians also subject to anxiety, or are we immune from feeling fear in any form?  Well, I don’t know what you are worried about, but I can tell you that there are plenty of things in this life that strike fear into my heart.  Some of them I’m sure you can relate to, but others might sound silly to you.

 

I worry about the future.  My future.  My wife’s future.  My children’s future.  My grandchildren’s future.  I worry that I won’t have enough money to live on when I’m no longer able to work. 

 

I worry about the present.  Believe it or not, I worry about my sermon every day of every week.  Will I be able to say what God wants me to say?  I worry about how the message will be received.  Will people be challenged or offended?  Engaged or bored?  I worry that one day I will burn out and lose the love I have for what I do.  What do you worry about?  What are you afraid of?

 

This Sunday we’re going to get inside the skin of the disciples as they face their fears.  On one occasion, the disciples are in the boat with Jesus.  A great storm comes upon them, and the boat is taking on water.  The disciples are afraid.  Of course they are!  Why wouldn’t they be?  Well, it’s because Jesus is on board.  I don’t know about you, but I’m encouraged by that.  I’m not the only one who is afraid of circumstances, knowing full well the Lord is with me.  But finding comfort knowing that I’m not the only one paralyzed by fear isn’t enough.  I need help with my fears.  And the Bible provides that for us.  You’ll see how this Sunday.