Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham. When tribulation and trauma And test And trials and tragedies come our way, we'll not be blown away. But we can be strong and steady in the storms of life. On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Grant brings a message about how you can combat anxiety and win.
Now, here's Dr. Graham with his message: help, I'm afraid. I can tell you that as Christians, as followers of Jesus, just as we are not immune to physical pain, pains in the body, diseases of the body, we are not. immune to emotional pain. And mental anguish, and all the rest.
Some of you, you've never experienced an extreme version. of anxiety But all of us guaranteed 100%. Have dealt with anxiety, worry. fear in our lives.
Some again in extreme forms like post-trauma stress syndromes, distress syndromes of various kind, panic attacks, or just common, ordinary, everyday kind of anxiety and worry. and fear. We're all in on this. And let me encourage you that not only that you be concerned about yourself, but look around you because People all around you are battling these various kinds. of emotional struggles and mental anguish and pain.
And as the church We are called to bear one another's burdens. And so fulfill the law of Christ.
So that's our prayer. Our topic today is anxiety. Help. I am afraid. Though eighteen percent of people in America suffer from diagnosed.
anxiety disorder of some kind. All of us, every one of us, deal with anxiety at some level. And we need to learn how to control our fears, our phobias, our anxieties. Unfortunately, some Do not.
Some are overwhelmed and overcome. by emotional pain. All of us, every one of us, must battle. The battle within. And even those who seem very close to God.
and even serve God. Can experience this kind. Yeah.
So clearly people are hurting. And that person may be you today. And you need to know. That God cares. and that God's people care.
Third John chapter two or verse two says that you would prosper. and be in health. Even As your soul Prospers.
So let's talk about anxiety. Let's talk about Worry. Let's talk about. Fear. Unchecked.
Uncontrolled. Fears and phobias, anxieties can rob you of your joy. can paralyze you from Enjoying and experiencing life to the fullest, it will Bury you. If you do not Get it under control. The word worry is actually From the old Anglo-Saxon word worgan.
It's a picture of a wolf at the throat. of its prey. Um It's described as emotional. Strangulation. Worry Anxiety and fears of all types, will strangle you and choke the life out of you.
People are anxious and easily troubled today. In my 50 years, I've never seen So many changes in Our culture as we're seeing today. And it is clear to me that we are in an avalanche as a result of all the changes and the upheaval in our culture. That we are in an avalanche of angst. and anxiety.
People are increasingly Burdened? and broken. Overwhelmed. and overextended. We are worried, we are wearied, we are fearful, we are fatigued.
A recent study by the World Mental Health Council. Surveying 14 nations. determined that America, Americans, We are the most worried anxious nation in the world. Amazing, isn't it? With all the prosperity in our country and yet We are plagued with so much anxiety.
We spend billions of dollars each year in this country. On anti- Anxiety. medications. Anxiety disorders. are the most common Mental illness in America.
And teenagers and young adults are often affected the most. Time Magazine reported in an article that the post-911 generation. Many do not even remember. The attack on our country 911, but they're living in the In the aftermath of these attacks, but the post-911 generation raced in an era of economic. and national insecurity.
And that's from an article entitled The Kids. are not all right. And they're not. We are living In an extreme Psychological Pressure. whether it is divisive.
Politics. Or your cell phone and its screens. Angry people. And anxiety is so often the result. Add in, especially to our young people.
and in a secular worldview. That is being taught in our public schools, most of our public schools and universities. And you get an environment. In which anxiety and fear. Where there is no God.
There is no peace. Where there is no spiritual life, only secularism and narcissism. Is there any wonder that many of our young people are asking the question: is it worth it to live? How can I keep going on? And many are killing themselves.
The suicide rate is up, up, up among. young adults under the age of 30, including teenagers. And still, even those who love God. Whoodle. who read the Bible.
Maybe even study the Bible, attend church. can struggle with anxieties. of all kinds. Let me say that anxiety is a complex issue. And I certainly would not propose or insult your intelligence.
to suggest that here in about thirty minutes That I can give you every antidote to anxiety. There are many causes. including genetics. But there is One primary reason. We are afraid.
and anxious and do you know what it is We are human. If you are alive. You will face anxiety in your life. We are human. And we all desperately Need God's peace.
We live in a fallen and broken world. One day Hope never dies. One day, We will be in the presence of God forever. And all our fears and all our tears will be in the distant past. But until then Here and now.
Not the hereafter, but right now. We need to learn how. to attack anxiety. And by God's grace and His help, defeated in our lives. My friend and author Robert Morgan.
says worry never takes a vacation. Have you noticed that? You can be in the most beautiful place in the most wonderful time of your life, and anxiety still knocks on the door.
So it never takes a vacation. It's a constant battle for so many of us every day. often for everyone.
Now professional And pastoral counselors are very. Very helpful. in times like these for each one of us. Physicians and therapists Appropriate medication. is helpful for some.
And for some, it is actually life. Save it. And then there's exercise. And good nutrition and proper sleep. and healthy habits.
which are effective. in treating anxiety. But ultimately It is God's word. and God's wisdom. that brings us comfort and even The cure.
It's been said that 70% of all anxieties. can be effective. positively by changing our outlook. and our ha habits. The therapy we need ultimately is truth therapy.
The truth of God's word. As God speaks to us. Listen to this. All treatments that assist us in containing and controlling our anxiety must be anchored in the hope and the peace that only God can give. Romans 15 verse 13, one of my favorite verses.
May the God of hope, and this is a prayer. is my prayer for you. May the God of hope fill you with Joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit. you may abound overflow in hope. God has promised peace.
beyond our comprehension. In fact, Jesus said in John 14 and verse 27, My peace I give to you. Not as the world gets. Do not let your heart be trouble. You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message, help.
I'm afraid. Transform your spiritual life through the power of daily prayer. This September, Jack Graham invites you to deepen your relationship with God through a month-long prayer journey that will strengthen your faith and draw you closer to your Creator. To get started, take a look at the Text challenge to 59-789 and deepen your connection with God as Dr. Graham leads you through this transformative 30-day prayer journey.
Your spiritual breakthrough could be just one text away. Again, that's challenge to 59-789. Our world desperately needs Jesus. Every single day, countless people slip into eternity without ever hearing that Christ offers victory over death and the gift of eternal life. That's why your partnership to share the gospel is so vital.
We want to remind you about the $200,000 matching grant that will double your gift of support today to bring the gospel where people need it most. We'll say thanks for your gift of $10 or more with two copies of Dr. Graham's book, Triumph.
So, text now to have your gift doubled by the match. And when you give, be sure to request your resources. Text the word OVERCOME to 59-789.
Now let's get back to today's message. Help, I'm afraid. There is a go-to passage in the Bible. That is the most Google. Scripture In all of the Bible by Americans and even worldwide.
Is found in Philippians chapter 4. And I want to invite you. not just to Google it, but to go there and to live there for a while with me. And It's such a powerful. and helpful passage of scripture.
The help we need. should be sustainable. And It is founded upon God's word and God's truth. Hear me say clearly to build our lives on a sure foundation. is absolutely essential.
in controlling our minds, our mental health.
So that when tribulation and trauma And test And trials and tragedies come our way. And Jesus said, In this world, you will have tribulation. When these come our way, we'll not be blown away. But we can be strong and steady in the storms of life. Like we can face the gale force fears that come against us.
Because while we face our fears and deal with fears every day, we must never become obsessed. With fear. In fact, the Bible says in 2 Timothy 1.7, God has not given us a spirit of fear, an obsession of fear, but love, power, power and a sound mind.
So the answer to anxiety Ultimately and eternally Comes from the Almighty. And we find it right here. In Philippians chapter 4. Verses 6 and 7. Do not be anxious about anything.
But in everything. By prayer. and supplication. with thanksgiving. Let your request be made known to God.
And the peace of God. which surpasses all understanding. will guard your hearts and your minds. In Christ Jesus. Two words.
Which I believe represent The antidote. for anxiety. The prescription for peace in our lives. Two words. Grateful.
Prayer. Grateful prayer. What we're told in God's Word. is don't be anxious. Do not worry.
about anything but pray. About everything. In other words, Be a worshiper. Not a worrier. Turn Your worries into prayers.
If you have time enough to worry, You have time enough. To pray. Say it. Say it. Grateful.
Prayer. Now, Jesus spoke about this truth in... The Sermon on the Mount. This truth of not being worried about anything. And in Matthew 6, you should turn to it in your Bibles.
He said, Therefore I tell you, Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air. They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet Your heavenly Father. feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they? And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to his lifespan? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They neither toil nor spin.
Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed. like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you? Oh you? Of little faith.
Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? Or what shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? For the Gentiles, that is, unbelievers, seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. And then verse 33.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things, everything you need in life. will be added To you. Signed. Jesus. That's Jesus' word.
on anxiety. He's saying to us, worry is so unnecessary, it doesn't accomplish anything. It is so unhealthy and unproductive. It is even a very good thing. Unholy because it represents a lack of faith.
He said, Oh, you, a little faith. When we have Fears without faith. That's a fail. And I can imagine with A smile creasing his sun-crested face, Jesus looked up, and as those birds flying around perhaps singing. He said, look at the birds.
So they They don't They don't worry, they don't fret. Because even God takes care of them. God even takes care of them. And if God takes care of birds. Don't you know he will take care?
of believers. That the father has promised to take care of the children. He said, look at the fields. He said, look at nature. Often, when we are stressed or pressured or feeling anxious, one of the best things we can do.
is to just get apart, even if it's in your own backyard. Or find a place where you can look at the trees and hear the birds and look at God's creation and find peace in that. If you can find an ocean or a lake or even the face of a small child, find peace in what God has made and take a deep breath. Jesus said, look at the fields. Look at what God has made: the flowers.
The birds. And know that since God has made all of this, He has made you, and He cares about you. Jesus even said, not one sparrow. falls to the ground, but that God knows and cares about That little bird.
Now, the birds do something, they fly around, and it doesn't mean they just sit and wait for. the worms to jump in their mouths. You know, the only birds that get fat. or the birds we feed are put in cages. They're flying around.
And Finding their food, and God is providing for them, and it's this superlative yet simple lesson that. that God does care about you. The point is, the more we consider. The sovereign love of God, our heavenly Father, the less. We will worry.
That's why I said earlier. Don't be a worrier. Be a worshiper. Turn your worries to prayers. God's word says that nothing will separate us from the love of God.
God's word says that perfect love casts out fear. I like the way the New Living gives this. 1 John 4, 18. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. Perfect love.
Cast out fear.
Now, I don't love perfectly, but God does. And if I know I believe. That God truly loves me and wants the best for my life, it is His perfect love, the perfect love of the Father for you and me. that expels Fear and anxiety. from our lives.
Philippians 4:19, My God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches and glory. in Jesus Christ.
So God provides for our every need. Physically financially, emotionally. All those things that you're worried about, God said. I will take care of this. Trust me.
Worship me. Pray.
So the command is do not worry. Do not worry about anything. Jesus said, don't be anxious about anything. Why do we work? If God is in control.
Why do we worry if God is in control? I've analyzed that on myself from time to time. Why Worry.
Sometimes I feel guilty if I don't worry. You know what I'm saying? When something is wrong. With myself, something in our family, something in the church. If something is wrong, I think I have to fix it first.
And if I just Give it to God in some way first. I think, well. If I don't worry about it, Bad things are going to happen. Am I telling the truth? If I don't worry.
If I don't get my hands all over this and fix this, then bad things are really going to happen. No, when we turn our fears over to God, truly give them to Him. then he begins to fix them. You can trust God with anything and everything that concerns you. 2 Timothy.
112. Which is why I suffer as I do, but I am not ashamed. For I know whom I believed. And am convinced that He is able to guard until that day when I see Christ. what has been entrusted to me.
God says, give it to me, entrust it. To me. I God is able to guard What you give To him. You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message: help, I'm afraid. We're excited to announce that we've been offered a $200,000 matching grant that will double your gift today to help proclaim the life-giving hope of Jesus to people all across the globe.
Because your gift is so important, we want to send you a thank you for your generosity by sending you two copies of Dr. Graham's book, Transformation. Try up. to encourage your faith and equip you to share the hope of Jesus with someone who needs it. Please give generously knowing that your gift will be doubled and make sure to request your copies when you give.
Text the word overcome to 59789. Again, the word is overcome to 59789. Transform your spiritual life through the power of daily prayer. This September, Jack Graham invites you to deepen your relationship with God through a month-long prayer journey that will strengthen your faith and draw you closer to your Creator. To get started, text Challenge to 59-789 and deepen your connection with God as Dr.
Graham leads you through this transformative 30-day prayer journey. Your spiritual breakthrough could be just one text away. Again, that's challenge to 59-789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today? Fear can take your breath away.
It can take your health away. It can even take your life away. And by that I mean Fear can take away the opportunity for you to live a full and meaningful life, to serve God with all your heart, your mind, your soul, to enjoy and experience God to the fullest. You know, medical research says excessive fear and anxiety can lead us all to serious conditions that may eventually. destroy our lives.
we must break the chains of fear. Break the chain so that we will never be afraid or ashamed to speak the word of God, to share the gospel with others. Don't allow fear or ridicule for speaking out for Christ or the fear of leaving safe places to serve Him on mission or the fear of failure. Don't ever allow worry and anxiety to keep you from serving God. and being a blessing to others.
The Scripture says in 1 John chapter 4, Perfect love cast out fear. Which means because God loves you perfectly, there is nothing to fear. His perfect love will destroy fear in your life.
So face down your fears in the power of Christ, and by the power of His Spirit live the life that He has planned for you. Let me invite you to join us at jackgraham.org to give an online donation to PowerPoint. We really do need your support and with your support we buy airtime so that we can preach the gospel and teach God's word through radio around the world.
So, thank you for sharing and thank you for caring deeply about this ministry. God bless you and thank you for joining us today on PowerPoint. And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift of $10 or more to PowerPoint, we'll send you two copies of Dr. Graham's book, Triumph, as our thanks.
Text the word overcome to 59-789. And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about a secret weapon to help you fight your fears. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.
