Keep Calm and Carry On!  In 1939, Britain found itself on the doorstep of the Second World War.  With the looming risk of possible invasion, the government issued a series of posters to inspire and encourage the people.  The people were living within heightened fear, worry, anxiety, and significant stress.  The leaders of Britain wanted the people to try to maintain as much normalcy as possible.  These red posters held the words, “Keep Calm and Carry On”.

As old as this story and message are, there is a message that is older (and better).  In the early days of leading his disciples, he wanted them to clearly know that following him meant living with a different perspective, different priorities, and different beliefs.  Listen to Jesus message about life in His Kingdom. 

“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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?  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.  There do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34

There is an earthly story and a heavenly story.  When Jesus came to earth, he ushered in the Kingdom of God.  The Kingdom of God is about Jesus being King.  It is a Kingdom where Jesus rules and reigns.  Does Jesus rule and reign over you?

Three Categories of Fear:

• Not Getting what we want
• Getting what we want, and then losing it
• Getting what we don’t want

We are notorious in living in worst case scenerio.  We use much energy believing the worst is going to happen and 9 times out of 10 it doesn’t.  We missed today in worrying about the what if of tomorrow!

Don’t Worry (CONTROL)

1. Worry is based on fear

• Fear seems reasonable, even when irrational
• Fear confuses what is temporary and what is eternal
• Fear reveals our values, priorities, our longings

2. Worry is life in your hands

• Our natural bent (our default mode) is control.
• God doesn’t want us living like the world (chasing temporary)

3. Worry robs life

• The enemy cannot rob your salvation, but he can rob your joy.
• Worry is idolatry

Be Concerned (TRUST)  Not all fear is sinful.  There are many things we need to be concerned about like raising a teenager.

1. Prayer is based on trust

• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Colossians 4:6-7
• Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  1Peter 5:7
• When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.  Psalm 94:19
• But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 94:22

2. God’s Word

• So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? 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. There do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34

3. Making plans gives hope

• In his heart man plans his course, but God determines his steps.  Proverbs 16:9
• Vision starts with visualization
• “Fear is vision without optimism” Pastor Mark Driscoll
• “Dreams are destinations, and goals are the GPS to get you there.” Pastor Mark Batterson
• Set goals: Family, Physical, Travel, Financial (all are spiritual)

When you worry:  it affects health, consumes thoughts, disrupts, reduces trust, mistreats others, lose time.

Is God and His Kingdom your priority? [His rule/His reign]

Let’s pray -take your concerns to Jesus.  All fears are an opportunity to run to Jesus or from Jesus.