1. The Trusting Mother Depending on God Overcoming our Fears
Matthew 6:25-34

2. Matthew 6: “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? (NAS)

3. Matthew 6:25-34 (cont. ) - 28 And why are you worried about clothing
Matthew 6:25-34 (cont.) - 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ (NAS)

4. Matthew 6:25-34 (cont.) - 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NAS)

5. What were you afraid of as a kid?

6. Most of our fears are irrational.

7. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
The Things We Fear
Fear and Faith
Finding Our Way Out of Fear

8. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
The Things We Fear
We assume we know what “fear”, “anxiety” and “worry” mean.
Fear is a response to a perceived threat, real or imagined.

9. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
The Things We Fear
We assume we know what “fear”, “anxiety” and “worry” mean.
Anxiety is our reaction to an undefined, unknown threat or danger.

10. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
The Things We Fear
We assume we know what “fear”, “anxiety” and “worry” mean.
Worry is “preoccupation.”

11. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
The Things We Fear
Four categories of fear:
Fear of loss
Fear of failure
Fear of rejection
Fear of the unknown

12. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II. Fear and Faith
The opposite of faith?
It’s faith in the wrong things.
It’s faith in the “what-ifs.”

13. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II. Fear and Faith
Moses wrestled with the “what-ifs.” – Exodus 3 & 4
3:11 – What if they reject me?
3:13 – What if they reject You?

14. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II. Fear and Faith
Moses wrestled with the “what-ifs.” – Exodus 3 & 4
4:1 – What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?
4:10 – What if they reject me because of my speech?

15. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II. Fear and Faith
Have you been there with Moses?
We don’t consider God.
We consider all the bad things that can happen.

16. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II. Fear and Faith
What-ifs matter.
They reveal what we value most.
They also revel where we trust God the least.
Matthew 6:27

17. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
II. Fear and Faith
So why do we do it?
We’re afraid to trust God.
We feel like we have some control.

18. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
First, God is not the source of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7

19. 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (NAS)

20. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
First, God is not the source of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7
Written to a preacher.
God is the source of power, love and discipline.

21. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Second, we have to face our greatest fears.
You can’t fix what you can’t identify.
Admit it.

22. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Once identified, fear can be surrendered to God.
Doesn’t mean “pretend it doesn’t exist.”
Allow God to help.
James 1:5

23. James 1:5 - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (NAS)

24. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Put yourself in David’s shoes.
A faithful servant.
Saul was still jealous.

25. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
From David’s perspective, this was horrific!
Psalm 56:1-4

26. Psalm 56:1-4 - 1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me;
Fighting all day long he oppresses me.
2 My foes have trampled upon me all day long,
For they are many who fight proudly against me. (NAS)

27. Psalm 56:1-4 – (cont.) - 3 When I am afraid,
I will put my trust in You.
4 In God, whose word I praise,
In God I have put my trust;
I shall not be afraid.
What can mere man do to me? (NAS)

28. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
From David’s perspective, this was horrific!
Psalm 56:1-4
Overwhelmed and terrified.
Choosing to trust God.

29. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Psalm 56:1-4
“What can man do to me?”
A lot!

30. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Psalm 56:1-4
“What can man do to me?”
What did he mean then?
Refocus his view.
Nothing eternal.

31. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Third, you must seek God.
Our fears will evaporate.
Three passages:
Jeremiah 29:12, 13

32. Jeremiah 29:12, Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (NAS)

33. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Third, you must seek God.
Our fears will evaporate.
Three passages:
Jeremiah 29:12, 13
Matthew 6:31-34

34. Matthew 6:31-34 - 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat
Matthew 6: Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (NAS)

35. Matthew 6:31-34 (cont.) - 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NAS)

36. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Third, you must seek God.
Our fears will evaporate.
Three passages:
Jeremiah 29:12, 13
Matthew 6:31-34
Philippians 4:6

37. Philippians 4:6 - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (NAS)

38. Breaking the Choke Hold of Fear
Finding Our Way Out of Fear
Third, you must seek God.
“But where do I find Him?”
Psalm 34:4

39. Psalm 34:4 - I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears. (NAS)

40. Fear as a fire –
God wants us to trust Him.
Remember, fear doesn’t come from God.
To overcome fear, we have to face it.
To overcome fear, we need to seek God.
God will help us!