DIVINE PROVISION FOR ANXIETY

Lesson 2 for the 8th of January, 2011

ANXIETY AS RESULT OF OUR SIN

The felling of guilt cause fear and anxiety after

sinningAdam and Eve

Jacob Joseph’s brothers

SOLUTION: TRUSTING GOD’S FORGIVENESS•“My

little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John, 2: 1)

Solution for sin

•“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts, 3: 19)

Liberation from fear

•“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians, 10: 13)

Strength for not sinning

ANXIETY ABOUT ADVERSE SITUATIONS

We feel anxiety and fear when we confront problems in our lives.

Job

Esther

Peter

SOLUTION: TRUSTING GOD’S PROTECTION

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort

me”(Psalm 23: 4)

“So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”(Isaiah, 41: 10)

ANXIETY ABOUT FUTURESometimes we are uncertain about what will happen in the future. Our uncertainty is based in events that may never happen. That generates unnecessary anxiety and fear.

The foolish rich man (Luke, 12: 16-21)

Abram

SOLUTION: TRUSTING GOD’S GUIDANCE

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy, 31: 8)

“When we cease to worry about the future, and begin to believe that God loves us, and means to do us good, we shall trust him as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear, and our will will be swallowed up in the will of God”

(E.G.W., “Youth’s Instructor”, January 6 1898)

ANXIETY ABOUT PHYSICAL NEEDS

The eagerness to get food, clothes and other daily needs generates anxiety in us.

The widow of Zarephath

Hagar and Ishmael

The widow and the oil

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content

whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians, 4:11-12)

SOLUTION: TRUSTING GOD’S PROVISION“So do not

worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What

shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' For

the pagans run after all these

things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek

first his kingdom and

his righteousness, and all these things will be

given to you as well”

(Matthew, 6: 31-33)

...AND BEING CONTENT

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each

day has enough trouble of its own”(Matthew, 6: 34)

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter, 5: 7)