Growing Pains

June 28th 2009 , Message series: The Antidote

The Antidote - Growing Pains from Vision Runners on Vimeo.

As adults we are taught that we need to take care of ourselves and dependence is frowned upon. In fact those of us who are independent are usually deemed as the ones who have it all together. We are the measuring stick society calls ‘productive’. So when the Bible says to cast all your cares upon the Lord its no wonder most of us don’t get it or reject the notion.

The Big Idea

There is another alternative when you worry than to cower or run.

God's View

1. Matthew 6:28 – 31 - "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers 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—you of little faith?
2. 1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
3. 2 Chronicles 20:16-17 - Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "
   

Axioms

1. Your Level of worry is directly proportional to your level of Devotion
2. Prayer makes things smaller, worry makes things bigger
   
3. If its too small to pray about then you should not be worried about it
4. Cast your cares not your responsibility
   

Questions

1. Trusting God - 1 Corinthians 2:16 - "Who has known the mind of the Lord
   so as to instruct him?". Trusting God means realizing that we dont understand His mind and thoughts. We trusted our parents as kids and we often did not understand and often many years later we understood why they did what they did.
   
   
   
   1. In what areas of your life do you have a hard time Trusting God?
   
   
   2. Be honest, why do you think you have a hard time trusting God?
   
   
   3. Psalm 37:5-6 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
   
   
   4. Trusting God allows God to be God and we reap the benefits
      
   
   
2. Praying without Worry -When we pray we must ask God for His will to be done and then we have to trust that He will.
   
3. Avoid trusting your own thoughts and actions - How can you tell when you are taking things into your own hands and not letting God work?