Overcoming Anxiety Through Devotion and Trust in God
Summary
Anxiety is a universal experience, touching every life regardless of age, background, or circumstance. It often begins as a small spark—an innocuous thought or concern—but if left unchecked, it can quickly spread like wildfire, consuming our peace, joy, and clarity. In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses this reality head-on, inviting us to examine the roots of our anxiety and to discover a better way forward.
At the heart of anxiety lies the issue of divided devotion. We worry most about the things to which we are most devoted—our families, our finances, our reputations, our sense of control. Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve two masters; when our hearts are tethered to anything other than God, anxiety inevitably follows. The things we elevate to ultimate importance become the very things that dominate our thoughts and emotions, leading us into cycles of worry and fear.
Jesus invites us to consider the birds and the flowers—creatures that neither toil nor store up, yet are cared for by the Father. If God provides for them, how much more will He provide for us, His beloved children? Anxiety, however, causes us to forget this truth. It blinds us to the depth of God’s love and care, convincing us that we are alone and that our needs will go unmet. Yet, the gospel reminds us that if God did not spare His own Son for us, He will not abandon us in our moments of need.
Anxiety is also a false prophet. It promises that worry will somehow secure our future or solve our problems, but in reality, it only robs us of today’s peace. Jesus teaches us to focus on today, trusting God with tomorrow. We are not built to carry the burdens of the future with today’s strength; instead, we are called to seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that He will provide for all our needs.
In moments of deep anxiety, the invitation is to turn our hearts back to God in prayer and worship, to remember His faithfulness, and to trust that because He lives, we can face tomorrow. Even when the path is dark and uncertain, God’s presence and promises remain steadfast. He sees us, knows us, and calls us by name, inviting us to trade our anxiety for His assurance.
Key Takeaways
- Divided devotion is the root of anxiety. What we worry about most reveals what we are most devoted to. When our hearts are tethered to anything other than God—be it money, control, or relationships—anxiety takes root and grows. The call is to examine our devotions and place God alone on the throne of our hearts. [05:11]
- Anxiety distorts our perception of God’s love. In seasons of worry, we often forget how deeply God cares for us. If He provides for the birds and the flowers, how much more will He care for us, His children? Remembering God’s sacrificial love in Christ is the antidote to the lie that we are alone or forgotten. [15:09]
- Worry is a false prophet that promises control but delivers only loss. Anxiety claims that by worrying, we can secure our future or prevent disaster, but it only steals our present joy and peace. Jesus exposes this lie, reminding us that worry cannot add a single hour to our lives and often does us harm. [20:40]
- God’s provision is found in seeking His kingdom first. Jesus does not call us to ignore our needs, but to prioritize them rightly—placing God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else. When we do, we find that God is faithful to provide, and our anxieties lose their grip on our hearts. [23:22]
- Prayer and worship are the pathways from anxiety to assurance. It is nearly impossible to worship and worry at the same time. In moments of fear and uncertainty, turning to God in honest prayer and thanksgiving realigns our hearts, reminds us of His faithfulness, and gives us strength to face today and tomorrow. [26:33]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction: Emotions That Destroy
[00:45] - The Wildfire of Anxiety
[02:27] - Anxiety in a World of Uncertainty
[03:21] - Jesus’ Words on Worry (Matthew 6)
[04:57] - Truth #1: Anxiety Begins Where Devotion is Divided
[06:20] - The Allure of Money and Possessions
[08:36] - What We’re Tethered To
[11:24] - Applying the Principle Beyond Money
[12:40] - The “I Need, I Want, I Don’t Want” Test
[14:57] - Truth #2: Anxiety Causes Us to Forget God’s Love
[16:01] - If God Gave Us Jesus, Will He Not Provide?
[18:09] - The Psalmist’s Honest Struggle
[19:29] - God’s Repeated Command: Fear Not
[20:40] - Truth #3: Anxiety is a False Prophet
[21:54] - You’re Not Built to Carry Tomorrow’s Burdens
[23:22] - Seek First the Kingdom
[24:53] - Because He Lives: A Personal Testimony
[26:33] - Prayer, Worship, and the Path to Peace
[28:41] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Trading Anxiety for Assurance
*(Based on Matthew 6:24-34 and supporting passages)*
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 6:24-34
(Jesus teaches about worry, divided devotion, and seeking God’s kingdom first.)
- Romans 8:32
(“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”)
- Philippians 4:6
(“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 6:24, what does Jesus say about serving two masters, and how does this connect to the topic of anxiety? [03:21]
2. According to Jesus, how are the birds and the flowers cared for, and what point is He making by using these examples? [03:46]
3. What does Jesus say about worrying and its ability to add a single hour to our lives? [20:40]
4. In Romans 8:32, what is the connection between God giving us Jesus and His willingness to provide for our needs? [16:01]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “We worry about what is most important to us. We worry about the things that we're devoted to most.” How does this idea help us understand the root of our anxiety? [05:11]
2. Why does Jesus use the examples of birds and flowers to address our worries? What does this reveal about God’s character and our value to Him? [15:09]
3. The pastor calls anxiety a “false prophet” that promises control but delivers only loss. What does this mean, and how have you seen this play out in your own life or in others? [20:40]
4. How does seeking God’s kingdom first change the way we approach our needs and worries? [23:22]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to examine what we are most devoted to. What is one thing in your life right now that might be competing with God for your devotion? How does this show up in your worries? [05:11]
2. When anxiety rises, the pastor suggests asking, “What have I forgotten about my God’s love for me?” What is one truth about God’s love that you need to remember this week? [15:09]
3. Jesus says that worry cannot add a single hour to our lives. Think of a recent situation where you worried a lot—did your worry help or hurt you? What could you have done differently? [20:40]
4. The sermon mentions the “I need, I want, I don’t want” test. Take a moment to fill in those blanks for yourself. How do your answers reveal the sources of your anxiety? [12:40]
5. The pastor shared that it’s nearly impossible to worship and worry at the same time. What is one practical way you can turn to prayer or worship the next time you feel anxious? [26:33]
6. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” What would it look like for you to put God’s kingdom first in a specific area of your life this week? [23:22]
7. The pastor shared a personal story about trusting God during a dark season. Is there an area of your life right now where you need to trust God with your tomorrow? What step of faith can you take? [24:53]
---
*Close in prayer, asking God to help each person trade anxiety for His assurance, to remember His love, and to seek His kingdom first in all things.*
Devotional
Day 1: Anxiety Begins Where Devotion Is Divided
Anxiety often takes root when our hearts are divided between God and the things we believe we need—money, possessions, status, or control. When our devotion is split, we find ourselves worrying about what we are most attached to, and our thoughts become dominated by the fear of losing those things or not having enough. Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters; if our primary devotion is not to God, anxiety will inevitably follow as we try to secure our own happiness and security apart from Him. The call is to examine what sits on the throne of our hearts and to realign our devotion so that God is our first and greatest priority. [07:40]
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (ESV)
Reflection: What is one thing you are most anxious about today, and how might it reveal where your devotion is divided between God and something else?
Day 2: Anxiety Causes Us to Forget How Much God Loves Us
When anxiety rises, it clouds our memory of God’s deep love and care for us. Jesus reminds us that if God feeds the birds and clothes the wildflowers, how much more will He care for us, His beloved children? The truth is that God sees, knows, and values us far beyond what we often remember in anxious moments. The cross is the ultimate proof of His love—if He did not spare His own Son, He will not abandon us in our needs. Anxiety tries to convince us that we are alone, but the gospel assures us that we are never forgotten or forsaken by our Heavenly Father. [17:13]
Matthew 6:26, 30
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?... But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (ESV)
Reflection: When you feel anxious, what is one way you can remind yourself today of God’s personal love and care for you?
Day 3: Anxiety Is a False Prophet
Anxiety promises that worrying will help us control the future, but in reality, it only robs us of today’s peace and joy. Jesus exposes this lie by asking if anyone can add a single hour to their life by worrying—worry does not solve tomorrow’s problems, it only multiplies today’s troubles. Medical studies confirm what Jesus taught: worry harms us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We are not created to carry tomorrow’s burdens with today’s strength; instead, we are called to trust the God who is already in our tomorrow and to seek His kingdom first. [21:54]
Matthew 6:27, 34
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?... Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (ESV)
Reflection: What is one worry about the future you can release to God today, trusting that He is already there?
Day 4: Seek First the Kingdom of God
The antidote to anxiety is not passivity, but a purposeful pursuit of God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else. Jesus calls us to reorder our priorities so that seeking God comes before chasing after our needs or desires. When we put God first, He promises to provide for our needs, freeing us from the endless cycle of worry. This daily act of trust means doing what we can in obedience to God, while leaving the outcomes in His hands, confident that He knows what we need before we even ask. [23:22]
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can seek God’s kingdom first in your decisions or actions today?
Day 5: Worship Over Worry
It is nearly impossible to worship and worry at the same time; when we turn our anxious thoughts into prayers and thanksgiving, God’s peace meets us in our struggle. The invitation is to bring every request to God, trusting that because He lives and holds our future, we can face whatever comes with hope. Even in the darkest seasons, choosing to worship—declaring God’s faithfulness and goodness—shifts our focus from our fears to the One who is sovereign over them. Gratitude and prayer become powerful tools to trade anxiety for assurance in God’s presence. [26:49]
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)
Reflection: When anxiety rises today, how can you intentionally turn your worry into worship and thanksgiving before God?
Quotes
The emotions that we deal with week in and week out, day in and day out, some of us hour in and hour out. The emotions that we deal with are not necessarily problems. They are indicators of a problem. They're like the smoke alarms that go off in your house when letting you know that there's fire, something that needs to be addressed. [00:00:20]
If we're honest, anxiety anxiety is is it's it's almost like a it's like a wildfire. If you've ever seen the stories of how wildfires happen, they usually happen with this little small spark. Maybe somebody on a dry day took a cigarette butt out and threw it out their window and it started a fire. [00:01:30]
But the more that we let it kind of go, the more that it spreads. And before you know it, we lie awake at night wrestling with it. Before you know it, we're having chest pains or we're having our relationships that are starting to break down. Our decision-making starts to get cloudy and difficult to make. The joy that we once had starts to be sapped out of us. [00:01:18]
In a world full of uncertainty with lots of economics ups and downs and family struggles and health scares, anxiety by all accounts has become a common companion for many of us to live with. But anxiety has also left so many of us wondering how has anxiety grabbed hold of my heart? How has anxiety captured my soul? [00:02:22]
Anxiety begins where devotion is divided. Everybody say divided. Jesus knows something about the human soul, the human heart that we often try to ignore. We worry about what is most important to us. We worry about the things that we're devoted to most. [00:05:06]
If you believe those things are the source of your joy or your happiness, you're going to become devoted to them. If you if you find your identity in those things, you're going to become devoted to them. If you find your security in them, the shield against suffering, then you're going to constantly be thinking about and pondering what does it take to get it? [00:06:13]
We worry about the things that our lives are tethered to. And and and what we are tied to, that's what we become devoted to. And that's where anxiety lives. I worry about my kids' grades. I worry about my kids' safety. I'm the one who stays up at night when they're on the road and and wondering when are they going to arrive where they're going. [00:08:31]
What you're devoted to is directly linked to where your anxiety lies. That's where it is. And so Jesus tells us that if if our primary devotion is to money or to possessions or to image or to control or to security, that's where we're going to often find ourselves worrying. [00:09:29]
This idea that when we don't get what we need or we don't get what we really really want, it's easy to feel like the floor beneath us is collapsing. It's easy to feel like um our heart begins to race. Our mind begins to spiral. Panic sets in. We start reaching for control in all the wrong places. And it feels like God isn't listening. [00:12:20]
All these things that are happening starts to create anxiety that wells up within your soul. And ultimately Jesus is saying when it comes to any of these things, money, parenting, your career, your education, any of the other litany of things that we could put on this list, God's saying, don't sit back and do nothing. [00:13:41]
We're not going to worry about the process. We're not going to worry about the ultimate outcome. We're going to trust God today with today and trust him with tomorrow and whatever happens in the process. Worry is this smoke signal that goes off and it it tells you, hey, there's something there's something that you're more devoted to right now. [00:14:24]
Anxiety causes us to forget how much God loves us. Everybody say, "Forget." Look again at verse 26 in Matthew. There it says, "Are you not more value than they?" And then verse 30, "Will he not much more clothe you, oh you of little faith?" Right? These are not just small questions. Jesus Jesus is really begging the listeners of that day and also you and I today. [00:15:01]
If God gave you his only son through the death of the cross, do you think the issue that you're facing at work or with your your friend or your family member is something that God can't handle? Right? If you really stop and think about that's like paying a million dollars cash for a house and then being frustrated over the cost of a light bulb. [00:16:14]
Anxiety leads us to buy this lie, to believe this lie that we're on our own, that nothing is going to change, that this is just how it's going to be and there's no help coming. But the gospel of Jesus Christ declares the polar opposite. The gospel of Christ says, "Hey, I came. I brought myself. I brought from heaven and came down from heaven. [00:17:37]
Such a big deal that God God saw fit over and over and over and over and over again in the page of scripture to tell us to encourage us to warn us, don't worry. Right? We we we're commanded not to worry. In in Philippians 4:6, be anxious for nothing. Right? In just the verses of scripture we read this morning in Matthew chapter 6, just in that short section of scripture, four times we're told not to worry. [00:19:16]
Worry doesn't solve tomorrow's problems. It only steals your present joy. It only steals your present moment. It only steals your present peace. Medical studies now have confirmed what Jesus said. Worry actually shortens lifespans. It depletes energy. It tightens your chest. It makes you sick. [00:21:07]
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