Bob Fesmire – Guest Speaker

We were fortunate to have Bob Fesmire share with us on July 3rd on how we can declare our independence from fear and worry. Jesus gave us some practical principles that are recorded in Matthew 6 that can help us live free from immobilizing worry. First, we need to acknowledge that worry is a sin and repent of it. 

There is a difference between worry and concern, and we need to understand what we are doing – worrying or being concerned. Worry focuses on improbable difficulties and produces inaction, while concern focuses on probable difficulties and takes action. Three times in Matthew 6, Jesus commands us to not worry! So why do we? Worry is a waste of time, ruins your health, undermines spiritual effectiveness and comes from a lack of faith and is, in effect, calling God a liar because we don’t trust Him. So confess it as sin, express remorse and repent.

Second, we need to focus our attention on eternal goals and get our minds off of earthly things. One reason we worry is that our primary focus is on worldly things, not on things above. Colossians 3:2 tells us to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” When we view God’s work in our lives and see how He is forming the character of Christ in us, that helps live our vision off of ourselves to His purposes.

Third, we need to review and remember the providence of God and trust Him for our daily needs. Think about all of the times God has provided for you and the ways He has kept His promises. As the old hymn says, “count your many blessings, see what God has done.” He promised to provide our every need, so believe that He will do what He said He would do!

Lastly, reaffirm your priorities and intentionally seek God first. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 encourage us to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well.” So many of the things we worry about in life are out of our control. Always start your day with what you DO know – the truths found in God’s Word. Practice the art of living one day at a time and be joyful today! “Fear not tomorrow. God is already there.”