Overcoming Anxiety (1) Matthew 6:19-25

2 “Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. with 40 million (18.1%) of the adult U.S. population (age 18 and older) affected.” (adaa.org)“Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. with 40 million (18.1%) of the adult U.S. population (age 18 and older) affected.” (adaa.org) Over $800 million annually on anti-anxiety pillsOver $800 million annually on anti-anxiety pills More people visit doctors for anxiety than for coldsMore people visit doctors for anxiety than for colds Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a yearAnxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year

3 There are physical & mental components to anxiety that can be diagnosed & treatedThere are physical & mental components to anxiety that can be diagnosed & treated There is a spiritual component to anxiety that Christians must not ignoreThere is a spiritual component to anxiety that Christians must not ignore “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Phil. 4:6

4 Medically Speaking “A feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and feelings of stress. Anxiety disorders…fill people’s lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and can grow progressively worse if not treated.” (MedicineNet.com)“A feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, and feelings of stress. Anxiety disorders…fill people’s lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event such as a business presentation or a first date, anxiety disorders are chronic, relentless, and can grow progressively worse if not treated.” (MedicineNet.com)

5 Medically Speaking Recommended treatments (each has its place & its limitations in a balanced life)Recommended treatments (each has its place & its limitations in a balanced life) Medication (1 Tim. 5:23)Medication (1 Tim. 5:23) Diet (Matt. 15:17)Diet (Matt. 15:17) Exercise (1 Tim. 4:8)Exercise (1 Tim. 4:8) Rest (Mk. 6:31)Rest (Mk. 6:31)

6  Care, concern or worry that consumes & takes over one’s view of self and approach to life, Matt. 6:25  A distracting care  Satan works on our minds to distract, discourage & destroy us, 2 Cor. 4:3-4 (2:11)  Care, concern or worry that consumes & takes over one’s view of self and approach to life, Matt. 6:25  A distracting care  Satan works on our minds to distract, discourage & destroy us, 2 Cor. 4:3-4 (2:11)

7  Mark 4:19: Cares of this world Worry that distracts from serving God merizo: “to divide, distribute” Distraction, worry, anxious  Husband: 1 Cor. 7:32-33 (34)  Martha: Luke 10:40-41  Mark 4:19: Cares of this world Worry that distracts from serving God merizo: “to divide, distribute” Distraction, worry, anxious  Husband: 1 Cor. 7:32-33 (34)  Martha: Luke 10:40-41

8  Anxiety offers an unbalanced perspective of life’s circumstances, Matt. 6:19-25 Can cause depression, Prov. 12:25 Weighed down with wrong things, Lk. 21:34  Anxiety offers an unbalanced perspective of life’s circumstances, Matt. 6:19-25 Can cause depression, Prov. 12:25 Weighed down with wrong things, Lk. 21:34

9  Anxiety is a choice, Matt. 6:24-25; Jno. 14:1, 27 Jesus, Lk. 22:40-44 Apostles, 2 Cor. 4:7-15 We are not enslaved to our thoughts; bring every thought into captivity to obey Christ! Rom. 12:21; 2 Cor. 10:5  Anxiety is a choice, Matt. 6:24-25; Jno. 14:1, 27 Jesus, Lk. 22:40-44 Apostles, 2 Cor. 4:7-15 We are not enslaved to our thoughts; bring every thought into captivity to obey Christ! Rom. 12:21; 2 Cor. 10:5

10  Anxiety is both the cause and effect of misplaced focus and emphasis, Matt. 6:22-25

11  Isolates you, Lk. 6:26 Elijah (1 Kgs. 19:9-10) Jesus (Matt. 4:1; 5:11) Anxiety looks inward rather than outward & upward

12  Profitless, Psa. 127:1-2  Paralyzes, Prov. 22:13 (26:13)  Phobias (fears), Matt. 25:25  Peace disrupted, Lk. 10:40  Pinches the word, Matt. 13:7, 22