Luke 12:22-34

Intro:  Our nation’s newest epidemic

I.  What is anxiety?

A.  You can inherit a proclivity to an anxiety disorder

B.  But we learn to worry about things

1.  Were your parents worriers?

2.  Did you play a role in the family?

C.  We train our brains to be anxious

D.  “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2)

II.  Jesus invites us to practice peace of mind

A.  Does worrying really prepare you for anything?

B.   Your basics can be provided through trust without excessive      worry

C.  Replacing negative self-talk with prayer – “Search me, O God, and 

                 know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if 

                 there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way 

                 everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24

D.  Replacing a lack of self-compassion with confidence in God’s love

E.   Working it into your brain

F.    What does the desired outcome look like?

III.  Putting your mind on higher things

A.  We get bogged down on basic survival and unnecessary worry

B.  Focusing on the Kingdom of God

1.  Heaven rather than death

2.  Divine mission rather than comparison to others

3.  Others focused instead of self-centered

C.  A mind on eternal treasure

1.  Not a greedy, eternal materialism

2.  God rewards at multiple levels

In your opinion, how well do you manage stress?

How do you see yourself involved in the work of the Kingdom of God?