Lemons Of Fear and Anxiety | When Life Gives you Lemons | Week 2
2 Corinthians 4:16-17:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Lemons of Anxiety and Stress
The challenges that we are facing today are opportunities to realign our lives with God, to bring Him praise, and to declare His Gospel in the earth.
The Setup
2 Chronicles 20:1-3
”After this, (what’s the “this”? All the reforms and laws JP enacted to please God. Keep that in mind). the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to fi ght against Jehoshaphat. People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi). Jehoshaphat was afraid...”
Stop
Seek
Stand
1. Stop
2 Chronicles 20:3-4
”Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah, who gathered to seek the Lord . They even came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him. When JP heard that an army was coming for him, he actually had many options in the natural. His first reaction could have been to shake his fist at God and ask “Is that how you thank me for serving you?” JP could have ordered his army to go into battle! Earlier in the book it talks about the military might of Israel.”
2 Chronicles 17:12-13
”Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger. He built fortresses and storage cities in Judah and carried out great works in the towns of Judah. He had fighting men, brave warriors, in Jerusalem.”
1: Stop Everything and Pray
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
”We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Talk to a trusted friend
Diary your thoughts
Exercise
Problem solve
Distract yourself
Do I have good reason to believe this bad thing will actually happen to me?
Has what I’m afraid of ever actually happened to me?
2 Timothy 1:7
”God has not given you a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and a sound mind. Remember, fear, anxiety, panic, and stress does not come from God.”
1. Stop
2. Seek
2 Chronicles 20:5-6,13-18
“Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem in the Lord ’s temple before the new courtyard. He said: Yahweh, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can stand against You. All Judah was standing before the Lord with their infants, their wives, and their children. In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants), and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord . He is with you, Judah and Jerusalem. them, for Yahweh is with you.’ ” Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face”
Seek: To trample under foot
James 1:13-15
”No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
Research on the regulatory aspect of the human
genome...along with epigenetic research hints at the
power of the thought life to cause changes in our brains
and bodies.
- Dr. Caroline Leaf
Philippians 4:8
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things.”
Romans 12:2
”Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.'
1. Stop
2. Seek
3. Stand
2 Chronicles 20:18-23
”Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting with a loud voice. Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him. In the morning they got up early and went out to the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were about to go out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem. Believe in Yahweh your God, and you will be established; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.” Then he consulted with the people and appointed some to sing for the Lord and some to praise the splendor of His holiness. When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing: Give thanks to the Lord , for His faithful love endures forever. The moment they began their shouts and praises, the Lord set an ambush against the Ammonites, Moabites, and the inhabitants of Mount Seir who came to fight against Judah, and they were defeated. (The power of worship) The Ammonites and Moabites turned against the inhabitants of Mount Seir and completely annihilated them. When they had fi nished with the inhabitants of Seir, they helped destroy each other.”
Isaiah 26:3
”You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.”
Isaiah 41:10
”Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”
Philippians 4:6
”Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
Matthew 6:25
”This is why 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...
Joshua 1:9
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
1 John 4:18
”There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out”
John 14:27
”Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”