Trusting God Amidst Anxiety and Life's Challenges
Summary
Riley's journey in "Inside Out 2" serves as a powerful metaphor for our own emotional struggles and the importance of trusting God amidst life's challenges. As Riley navigates the complexities of high school, new emotions like anxiety, envy, and embarrassment emerge, each vying for control over her actions and thoughts. Anxiety, in particular, becomes a dominant force, pushing Riley to strive for perfection in her hockey practice, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. This mirrors our own lives when we allow anxiety to dictate our actions, leading us to believe that we must achieve perfection to be worthy.
However, God calls us to a different path. He doesn't want us to be consumed by the relentless pursuit of perfection or to be paralyzed by the fear of failure. Instead, He invites us to trust in His plan, as outlined in Proverbs 3:5, which encourages us to lean not on our own understanding but to seek His guidance in all we do. Trusting God means letting go of the control we think we have and allowing Him to lead us through life's uncertainties.
The trust fall exercise with Caleb and Juan illustrates this concept beautifully. Just as Caleb hesitated before falling, we often hesitate to fully trust God, fearing the worst-case scenarios. Yet, God assures us that He is always there to catch us, urging us to focus on the positive possibilities rather than the negative "what ifs." Matthew 6:25 reminds us not to worry about everyday life, emphasizing that God values us far more than the birds He provides for.
Ultimately, the message is clear: God has a plan for each of us, plans for good and not for disaster, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11. By surrendering control and trusting in His promises, we can experience the peace and hope that come from knowing that God is in charge. Let us choose to let God be the driver, guiding us through life's challenges and revealing the amazing things He can do when we trust Him completely.
Key Takeaways:
- Control and Anxiety: Anxiety often takes control of our lives, pushing us towards perfection and leaving us feeling inadequate. God, however, calls us to trust Him and His plan, reminding us that we are not meant to achieve perfection on our own. [23:40]
- Trust in God's Plan: Proverbs 3:5 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not rely on our own understanding. By seeking His will, we can find the right path and experience peace amidst life's uncertainties. [24:26]
- Overcoming Hesitation: The trust fall exercise illustrates our hesitation to fully trust God. We often fear the worst-case scenarios, but God assures us that He is always there to catch us, urging us to focus on positive possibilities. [30:28]
- Letting Go of Worry: Matthew 6:25 reminds us not to worry about everyday life, emphasizing that God values us and will provide for us. By letting go of worry, we can trust in God's provision and care. [31:34]
- God's Promises and Plans: Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has plans for our good and not for disaster. By surrendering control and trusting in His promises, we can experience the peace and hope that come from knowing that God is in charge. [37:45]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to Inside Out 2
[02:15] - Riley's New Emotions
[05:00] - Anxiety Takes Control
[08:45] - The Pursuit of Perfection
[12:30] - God's Perspective on Perfection
[15:20] - Trusting God's Plan
[18:10] - The Trust Fall Exercise
[21:00] - Overcoming Hesitation
[24:00] - Letting Go of Worry
[27:30] - God's Promises and Plans
[30:00] - Choosing to Trust God
[33:45] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 3:5 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."
2. Matthew 6:25 - "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"
3. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
#### Observation Questions
1. What new emotions does Riley experience in "Inside Out 2," and how do they affect her actions and thoughts? [00:30]
2. How does anxiety manifest in Riley's life, particularly in her hockey practice? [23:40]
3. What is the significance of the trust fall exercise with Caleb and Juan in illustrating our hesitation to trust God? [28:41]
4. According to Matthew 6:25, what does Jesus say about worrying, and how does this relate to God's provision? [31:34]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Proverbs 3:5 challenge the way individuals typically handle anxiety and control in their lives? [24:26]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that striving for perfection can be detrimental to one's spiritual journey? [23:40]
3. How does the trust fall exercise serve as a metaphor for our relationship with God, and what does it reveal about our fears? [30:28]
4. What does Jeremiah 29:11 imply about God's intentions for our lives, and how should this influence our perspective on future uncertainties? [37:45]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when anxiety controlled your actions. How can you apply Proverbs 3:5 to that situation to trust God more fully? [24:26]
2. Identify an area in your life where you are striving for perfection. How can you shift your focus from perfection to trusting in God's plan? [23:40]
3. Consider a current challenge you are facing. What would it look like to do a "trust fall" with God in this situation? [30:28]
4. How can you practice letting go of worry in your daily life, as encouraged by Matthew 6:25? What specific steps can you take this week? [31:34]
5. Think about a "what if" scenario that causes you fear. How can you reframe this scenario to focus on the positive possibilities God might have in store? [31:34]
6. Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of hope and a future. How can you remind yourself of this promise when facing uncertainty or doubt? [37:45]
7. What practical steps can you take to allow God to be the "driver" in your life, guiding you through challenges and uncertainties? [43:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God Over Perfection
Anxiety often takes control of our lives, pushing us towards perfection and leaving us feeling inadequate. In Riley's journey through high school, anxiety becomes a dominant force, driving her to strive for perfection in her hockey practice. This mirrors our own experiences when we allow anxiety to dictate our actions, leading us to believe that we must achieve perfection to be worthy. However, God calls us to trust Him and His plan, reminding us that we are not meant to achieve perfection on our own. Instead, He invites us to lean on His understanding and seek His guidance in all we do. By trusting God, we can let go of the relentless pursuit of perfection and find peace in His promises. [23:40]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where anxiety pushes you towards perfection? How can you invite God into that space today to find peace and trust in His plan?
Day 2: Leaning on God's Understanding
Proverbs 3:5 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not rely on our own understanding. Riley's story in "Inside Out 2" illustrates the struggle of navigating new emotions and the pressure to understand and control them. In our own lives, we often face uncertainties and challenges that seem beyond our comprehension. Yet, God invites us to seek His will and trust in His guidance. By doing so, we can find the right path and experience peace amidst life's uncertainties. Trusting God means letting go of our limited understanding and embracing His infinite wisdom. [24:26]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: In what situation are you currently relying on your own understanding? How can you actively seek God's guidance and wisdom in this area today?
Day 3: Embracing Trust Over Fear
The trust fall exercise with Caleb and Juan beautifully illustrates our hesitation to fully trust God. Just as Caleb hesitated before falling, we often fear the worst-case scenarios and hold back from trusting God completely. Yet, God assures us that He is always there to catch us, urging us to focus on the positive possibilities rather than the negative "what ifs." By embracing trust over fear, we can experience the freedom and peace that come from knowing God is in control. [30:28]
Psalm 56:3-4 (ESV): "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"
Reflection: What is one fear that holds you back from trusting God fully? How can you take a step of faith today to trust Him in that area?
Day 4: Letting Go of Worry
Matthew 6:25 reminds us not to worry about everyday life, emphasizing that God values us and will provide for us. In Riley's journey, the pressure to perform and the fear of failure lead to overwhelming worry. Similarly, we often find ourselves consumed by worry about our daily needs and future uncertainties. However, God calls us to let go of worry and trust in His provision and care. By surrendering our worries to Him, we can experience the peace and assurance that come from knowing He is in control. [31:34]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: What is one worry you are holding onto today? How can you release it to God and trust in His care and provision?
Day 5: Surrendering to God's Promises
Jeremiah 29:11 assures us that God has plans for our good and not for disaster. Riley's journey highlights the struggle of trying to control her life and emotions, leading to feelings of inadequacy and fear. In our own lives, we often try to control our circumstances, fearing the unknown. However, God invites us to surrender control and trust in His promises. By doing so, we can experience the peace and hope that come from knowing that God is in charge and has a plan for our lives. [37:45]
Psalm 37:5-6 (ESV): "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to surrender control to God? How can you take a step today to trust in His promises and plan for your life?
Quotes
"God doesn't want us to think that it's never going to be enough. That no matter how... Like, we've got to push ourselves until perfection. And I've got to say, I don't think we're going to be... I don't think we're perfect. I don't think we'll ever be perfect." [00:23:44] (16 seconds)
"When we're having a challenge in our life and we need to push ourselves, God wants us to trust him that he knows what he's doing. That he has a plan for us. In Proverbs 3, 5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding." [00:24:10] (16 seconds)
"So, God has a plan. And we tend to lean on what we think we know is best. We think what we know to do, and we're going to try it our own way, and we got it. But, God has a plan even from the beginning." [00:24:33] (16 seconds)
"And so when we have that hesitation, we tend to have this kind of these thoughts of the worst case scenario. And with a trust fall, the worst case scenarios could be, they don't catch me. I fall." [00:30:19] (16 seconds)
"Are you hesitating on God? Is God giving you a trust fall and you are putting your foot back? Are you telling God, I hope you catch me. I don't know if you can catch me, God, because I'm scared to fall." [00:30:48] (18 seconds)
"He wants us to think that I trust God. I trust God. I trust God. I trust God. I trust God. I trust God. I trust God. I trust God. I trust God so much that I know he's going to catch me. But we tend, we tend to just think of the negative." [00:31:15] (9 seconds)
"What if God doesn't provide for my family? what if god doesn't heal me of this sickness what if god can't hear my prayer that i've been praying for years what if what if what if god doesn't want us to think like that he doesn't want us to dwell on the negatives in matthew 6 25 it says that that it is why i tell you not to worry about everyday life whether you have enough food and drink or enough clothes to wear isn't life more than food and your body more than clothing look at the birds they don't plant or harvest or store food in barns for your heavenly father feeds them and aren't you far more valuable to him than they are can all your worries add a single moment to your life" [00:31:34] (57 seconds)
"God wants us to trust him and he wants us to find the positive what ifs what if god provides enough food for my family for the entire week what if god heals me of my sickness and i'm a living testimony what if god answered my prayer and my entire family comes to church what if what if god could do it that's how god wants us to pray that's how god wants us to think because god can do it and he will do it in scripture it says but when i am afraid i will put my trust in you i praise god for what he has promised i trust in god so why should i be afraid what can mere mortals do to me psalms 56 4 he has promised that means it will come so why be afraid" [00:32:32] (68 seconds)
"What if God can be the driver and show you what to do and help us and the amazing things that he can do for us if you just let it go." [00:37:44] (12 seconds)
"Because in scripture it says give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about you. You." [00:37:53] (10 seconds)
"And in 1 Peter 5, 7 because God says this for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope, Jeremiah 9, 11." [00:38:04] (21 seconds)
"He knows what he's doing. He has a plan. If he knows what he's doing, I want to look to the person that knows what they're doing when I have no control or I don't know" [00:38:18] (13 seconds)
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