Pastor Jeremy kicks off a new mini-series called “Blessed in the Stress,” where we begin an honest conversation about anxiety and the pressure so many of us are feeling today. But you don’t have to live imprisoned by anxiety. Discover five practical and powerful steps to ‘unfollow fear’ and experience the peace God promises!
Notes 📓✏️:
We are beginning a new mini-series called “Blessed in the Stress”.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything… Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)
Feeling anxiety is human. Living imprisoned by anxiety is optional.
“Do not fret…it only causes harm.”
Psalm 37:8b (NIV)
1. Redirect Your Focus
“And Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
Matthew 14:28-30 (ESV)
The environment hadn’t changed. Peter’s focus changed.
Faith doesn’t deny reality.
Faith chooses where to look to Jesus in the middle of reality.
Fear grows when we stare at the storm.
Faith grows when we look to the Savior.
2. Examine Your Inner World
The Psalmist prayed:
“Search me, God, and know my heart… reveal my anxious thoughts.”
Watch Our Intake – What are we filling ourselves with every day?
Whatever fills our mind eventually shapes our emotions.
Garbage in, garbage out.
Check the Imbalance
The goal of life is not to control every situation. (You can’t)
The goal is to guard the condition of our spirit.
Seek Integrity
Understand Peace Thrives in Honesty.
Practice Isolation in Moderation
The enemy loves to convince us we are the only one struggling.
But healing often begins when someone finally says, “I’m not alone in this.”
3. View Anxiety as a Signal, Not a Life Sentence.
Sometimes anxiety is actually a signal something deeper needs attention.
“I feel anxious right now. Something inside me needs attention.”
Once we acknowledge it, we can begin asking better questions:
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- Why did this situation trigger such a strong reaction?
- What fear is underneath this feeling?
- What truth do I need to replace the lie I’m believing?
4. Reimagine the Future
The pictures we carry about the future often shape the way we experience the present.
When we allow God’s promises to shape our imagination, hope and faith begin to grow.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
5. Worship and Pray
Worship
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Sometimes you worship because you had a victory!
Sometimes you worship because you need a victory!
Prayer
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Pray declaring WHO God is and WHAT He will do!
Pray the Scriptures and Declare His Truths Over Your Situation.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
Psalm 27:1-2 (NLT)
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 (NLT)
“God is [my] refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 (NLT)
“His faithful promises are [my] armor and protection.”
Psalm 91:4b (NLT)
“I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me…”
Psalm 57:1b-3a (NLT)
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
It’s time for some of us to UNFOLLOW FEAR.
Discussion Questions 📝❓:
- Pastor Jeremy shared his personal experience with anxiety starting at age 32. Did anything resonate with you about this story?
- In the story of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14), what was the key difference between when Peter succeeded and when he began to sink?
- Anxiety often grows because of what we feed our minds. What types of mental intake might contribute to increased anxiety in your life?
- How does the concept of anxiety being a “warning light” rather than a “life sentence” change how we might approach dealing with anxiety?