Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

The Problem Of Anxiety
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. Everyone is familiar with anxiety; it is a problem of epidemic proportions
2. Yet as prevalent as it is, anxiety or worry is one of the most counterproductive things we can do...
a. Worry is like a rocking chair it will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere
b. Worry is a fast getaway on a wooden horse
[How should Christians approach the problem of worry? What can we do about it? Perhaps by first...]
I. UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
A. WHAT IS ANXIETY...?
1. Anxiety is distress about future uncertainties...
a. It is characterized by mental agitation and uneasiness
b. It may be mild or severe
2. It primarily has to do with what may happen in the future, either near or distant.
B. WHAT CAUSES ANXIETY...?
1. Anxiety is caused by real or imagined threats to our well-being...
a. We feel vulnerable and inadequately protected against these threats
b. Threats such as social rejection, physical injury or disease, poverty, death, and a wide
range of other threats
2. Anxiety has three main elements...
a. Insecurity: something bad is going to happen
b. Helplessness: there is nothing I can do
c. Isolation: there is no one to help me
-- These causes may operate individually or in various combinations
3. Emotionally, they cause just as much anxiety if they are imagined as if they were real
[Anxiety is a form of fear, and must be recognized as such. With an understanding of the problem, we
are closer to...]
II. OVERCOMING THE PROBLEM
A. TRUST IN GOD...
1. The best remedy is to deal with the problem’s causes, not just its symptoms
2. What is the truth about insecurity, helplessness, and isolation with regard to the Christian?
a. While the Christian may feel insecure, the reality is that he is very secure - Pro 3:21-26;
He 4:16
b. While the Christian may feel helpless, the reality is that he has great help - Ro 8:31;
cf. Psa 27:5
c. While the Christian may feel isolated, the reality is that God is always at his side - Psa
23:4; Mt 28:20; He 13:5,6
3. The remedy for anxiety is complete trust and confidence in God’s ability to deal with
anything that threatens us - Isa 40:31; Jn 14:1; Ph 4:13; cf. Deu 31:7,8; Ro 8:31
Topical Sermons 284