1. People matter to God... ...therefore your problems matter Can always find- People with bigger problems People with more basic problems People with more life threatening problems Would be easy to say “my problems aren't important.” “God is too busy for my problems” According to the Bible that is not true

1. People matter to God... ...therefore your problems matter 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1. People matter to God... ...therefore your problems matter He cares for YOU You are a part of the family of believers The strength of the church 1 cor 12:26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. NIV

1. People matter to God... ...therefore your problems matter Gal 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. Carry your own load when you are able Carry someone else's burdens when you can

2. After a time of trial... ...you need a time to restore Mt 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take 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.” 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take 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.”

2. After a time of trial... ...you need a time to restore Come to me... I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you... and you will find rest for your souls. People don't allow time to “restore” “He restoreth my soul.” Consider the illnesses of our congregation Rush to do ministry, lead Bible study, etc.

Ruth Haley Barton “Sacred Rythmns” Page 130-131 “If we do not allow for a rythmn of rest in our overly busy lives, illness becomes our Sabbath- our pneumonia, our cancer, our heart attack, our accidents create Sabbath for us.” Wayne Muller

If you refrain from trampling the sabbath, from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call the sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, serving your own interests, or pursuing your own affairs; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride upon the heights. Is 58:13-14 NRSV

3. There are rythmns with life... We go through cycles Trauma/illness/disappointment We need to be restored Last preached “When God doesn't do what we want him to.” He is God... we are not But still we pray; not a “fix me” prayer But “I need to be in the presence of God” God cares about our pain, our tiredness God restores our soul

4. Our problems matter to God “God has an entire universe to run. Why should He care about my problems?” Is anything too big to concern God with? Is anything too small? Ps: 8 The Message I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous, your handmade sky-jewelry, Moon and stars mounted in their settings. Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?

So what? Try praying a prayer that is not a “fix me” prayer. Practice sitting in the presence of God Tell God what is causing you anxiety List the things... in writing Repeat the phrase “He restores my soul” Daily Spiritual breathing; in restoration; out anxiety