In 1988, musical artist Bobby McFerrin released a song. Part of the lyrics are as follows:
Here’s a little song I wrote You might want to sing it note for note Don’t worry, be happy In every life we have some trouble But when you worry, you make it double Don’t worry, be happy
There were even t-shirts and posters available in the 1980s and 1990s that said, “Don’t worry, be happy.”
You see, people in our world know that worry is not good for you.
Today, we’re going to learn three different ways that worry is not good for you.
We’re continuing our series called “Stop that; Start This!” Today’s sermon is called “Stop Worrying!”
Before we go any further, let’s pray together and ask God to speak to us.
(prayer)
Are you a worrier? Do you know someone who is a worrier?
Worry is a part of our world and a part of our lives in one way or another.
However, worry is not good for us. Let’s look at a few ways that worry is not good for us:
First, . . .
I. Worry is not good for your daily life.
If you were to think about what you want to accomplish in your day, no one ever starts off by saying, “I hope I get to worry about something today.”
Why is that? The reason is that no one really likes to worry.
Worry causes us stress. Worry causes us to fear. Worry causes us to lose focus on what’s most important.
Worry is not good for your daily life.
Worry not only affects your life in negative ways, it also affects your daily life by affecting those who are a part of your daily life.
Most of us in this room are (in one way or another) in relationships with other people.
What happens when you are in a relationship with someone who is a worrier? It drives you nuts, doesn’t it?
Will we make it on time? How are we going to accomplish that task? What will happen if the house catches on fire? What will they think of us? Will our child grow up to be a terrorist? If that person wins the election, our country will be ruined. If I don’t get that promotion, everything will fall apart.
Worry, worry, worry.
Worry creates misery.
Do you remember the story of Mary and Martha with Jesus?
Mary wanted to spend time with Jesus while Martha was worried about the chores that needed to be done.
Here’s what happened in Luke 10:38-42:
While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”
You see, in this story, Martha was worried so much that she missed out on the good in her life, which was that she could sit at the feet of Jesus to spend time in the literal presence of God.
Brothers and sisters, worry will distract you from what really matters in your daily life. Worry will drive others in your life crazy.
Stop worrying, because it is not good for your daily life.
Second, . . .
II. Worry is not good for your physical life.
Did you know that too much worry can have negative effects on your health?
Of course, worry and anxiety are closely linked. Worry is sort of the precursor to anxiety.
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), chronic worry is linked to a higher risk of developing clinical depression and substance abuse disorders.
According to the American Heart Association, people with high levels of worry are two to three times more likely to suffer from heart disease or high blood pressure.
According to Harvard Medical School, chronic anxiety is associated with a 43% increased risk of premature death.
According to the Center for Disease Control, 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep issues, many of which are anxiety-related.
I could go on with a lot more statistics. Worry is a big problem in our world.
Instead of going on with statistics, let me give you a biblical perspective, coupled with an experiential perspective. In other words, let’s see what the Bible says, along with what your experience says.
First, consider that the Bible says we are to be people of peace.
Jesus said in John 14:27:
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
The Apostle Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:16:
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way . . .
God is described as the God of peace. The Bible says we should be people of peace. Part of the fruit of the Spirit is peace.
Peace is part of who we should be as the people of God.
Second, let’s think about your experience.
Think for a moment about a time when you were very worried. If you can remember, think about the time that you were most worried in your life.
How did your physical body feel at that time? How did your mind feel at that time?
Would you describe that time as a time when your mind and body were at peace? Probably not, right?
Yet, the Bible is very clear that we are to be at peace in this world.
So, let’s all acknowledge that worry is not good for our physical lives.
Research proves that to be true, the Bible proves that to be true, and more than likely, your experience proves that to be true.
Stop worrying because it is not good for your physical life.
Finally, . . .
III. Worry is not good for your spiritual life.
Who is in control of all things? (God)
Who watches over every aspect of your lives? (God)
Who can give you everything that you need and more? (God)
Who can work through any problem to bring you blessings? (God)
So, what does it say about our view of God when we live in constant worry?
Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34:
Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith? So don’t worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus is saying two things here:
First, He’s saying that there are more important things in life than what we will wear, where we will live, and what we will eat. He’s saying, don’t seek those things; seek the kingdom of God.
Second, Jesus is saying that when it comes to those earthly things; such as food, shelter, and clothing; God takes care of the plants and the animals. If God takes care of plants and animals, won’t He take even better care of His precious children?
So, don’t worry.
Psalm 55:22 says:
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
When you worry, you say in effect, “God I don’t think you can sustain me.”
Instead of taking that attitude, we must believe that God can sustain us.
Listen, church: God’s got this. When we worry, we say, “God, I’m not sure that you do got this.”
You see, worry begins to build a relational barrier between you and God because (even if you’re not doing it intentionally), you’re saying to God, “I don’t believe that you are the God who you say you are.”
Worry is not good for your spiritual life.
Well, then, what should we do? That takes us to our Bottom Line:
Bottom Line: Stop worrying; start trusting!
Worrying is not good for you. You need to stamp out worrying. You can do so by trusting; primarily, by trusting God.
Do you remember Proverbs 3:5-6? It says:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.
Don’t worry; trust in the Lord.
Psalm 9:10 says:
Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, Lord.
Listen, God will not abandon you. Don’t worry; trust in God.
Do you remember this verse from earlier in our series? Proverbs 12:25 says:
Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down . . .
Instead of being weighed down by anxiety, listen to what Jeremiah 17:7-8 says:
The person who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.
Don’t be weighed down by anxiety and worry; instead, trust God and be like a flourishing tree.
Challenge yourself this week in this one way:
Weekly Challenge: Make a pledge to trust rather than worry.
Will you make a pledge to trust the Lord? Will you make a pledge to give it a good effort to stop worrying?
Here’s a great verse that you can use as a reminder when you’re tempted to worry or tempted to be anxious. Philippians 4:6–7 says:
Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Listen, God can help you. You don’t have to do this on your own strength. Lean on the power of God’s Holy Spirit to see you through.
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this sermon is solely owned by its author. The reproduction or distribution of this message, or any portion of it, should include the author’s name. The author intends to provide free resources in order to inspire believers and to assist preachers and teachers in Kingdom work.
