How to Stop Stress and Worry from Taking Over Your Life

My daughter from My daughter from Los Angeles was in town a while back and Los Angeles was in town a while back and Los Angeles was in town a while back and she was perusing through my study she was perusing through my study she was perusing through my study looking at some of my books and she looking at some of my books and she looking at some of my books and she stumbled across a book with the title stumbled across a book with the title stumbled across a book with the title the concept of anxiety the concept of anxiety the concept of anxiety and she goes ooh this might be an and she goes ooh this might be an and she goes ooh this might be an interesting one. interesting one. interesting one. And I said sweetheart I don't think that And I said sweetheart I don't think that And I said sweetheart I don't think that book is about what you think it's about. book is about what you think it's about. book is about what you think it's about. And then she read the subtitle of the And then she read the subtitle of the And then she read the subtitle of the book and goes book and goes book and goes oh oh oh now I'll I'll tell you what the subtitle now I'll I'll tell you what the subtitle now I'll I'll tell you what the subtitle was in a few minutes but I am curious was in a few minutes but I am curious was in a few minutes but I am curious and I did ask myself the question why and I did ask myself the question why and I did ask myself the question why was she drawn to that particular book was she drawn to that particular book was she drawn to that particular book that particular title on anxiety. that particular title on anxiety. that particular title on anxiety. Perhaps it's because she's a part of Perhaps it's because she's a part of Perhaps it's because she's a part of what's known as generation Z what's known as generation Z what's known as generation Z that's been dubbed by some the anxious that's been dubbed by some the anxious that's been dubbed by some the anxious generation. generation. generation. Jonathan Haidt wrote a book with that Jonathan Haidt wrote a book with that Jonathan Haidt wrote a book with that title right there it's a New York Times title right there it's a New York Times title right there it's a New York Times bestseller you can see it on the screen bestseller you can see it on the screen bestseller you can see it on the screen there there there and in this book he argues that there is and in this book he argues that there is and in this book he argues that there is an epidemic an epidemic an epidemic of stress of mental illness among this of stress of mental illness among this of stress of mental illness among this generation because we've moved from a generation because we've moved from a generation because we've moved from a play-based play-based play-based childhood childhood childhood to a phone-based to a phone-based to a phone-based childhood.

childhood. childhood. And that we're guilty as parents and And that we're guilty as parents and And that we're guilty as parents and grandparents of overprotecting our kids grandparents of overprotecting our kids grandparents of overprotecting our kids in the physical world while under in the physical world while under in the physical world while under protecting them in the virtual world. protecting them in the virtual world. protecting them in the virtual world. And this has led to a massive amount And this has led to a massive amount And this has led to a massive amount of worry anxiety stress I would say not of worry anxiety stress I would say not of worry anxiety stress I would say not just upon generation Z just upon generation Z just upon generation Z but upon all of but upon all of but upon all of us. We live in a moment in time We live in a moment in time where we are assaulted where we are assaulted where we are assaulted bombarded with data information news, bombarded with data information news, bombarded with data information news, videos, trivialities, tragedies, 24/7 videos, trivialities, tragedies, 24/7 videos, trivialities, tragedies, 24/7 all the time. This is the world that we all the time. This is the world that we all the time. This is the world that we live in and this has created among us of stress of stress in our bodies, of worry, trying to in our bodies, of worry, trying to in our bodies, of worry, trying to control the future, and anxiety.

control the future, and anxiety. control the future, and anxiety. And what philosophers called angst. What happens What happens when this when this when this unholy trinity unholy trinity unholy trinity of stress, worry, and anxiety of stress, worry, and anxiety of stress, worry, and anxiety starts to choke the life out from you? starts to choke the life out from you? starts to choke the life out from you? I really believe that I really believe that I really believe that the word that God has for us today is the word that God has for us today is the word that God has for us today is not not not optional. optional. optional. It's not like, well, It's not like, well, It's not like, well, I may or may not do that. You know, it's I may or may not do that. You know, it's I may or may not do that. You know, it's kind of like going to Luby's back in the kind of like going to Luby's back in the kind of like going to Luby's back in the day. You can pick and choose your day. You can pick and choose your day. You can pick and choose your entree, your salads, your soups, your entree, your salads, your soups, your entree, your salads, your soups, your desserts. This is not that. This, even if you're a vegetarian, is This, even if you're a vegetarian, is steak for everyone. steak for everyone. steak for everyone. Okay? This is not an option Okay? This is not an option Okay? This is not an option for you. This is not an option for me. for you. This is not an option for me. for you. This is not an option for me. Given the world that we live in, given Given the world that we live in, given Given the world that we live in, given that we, too, just like Gen Z, are a that we, too, just like Gen Z, are a that we, too, just like Gen Z, are a part of an anxious generation. So, what part of an anxious generation. So, what part of an anxious generation. So, what does God say to us as we come to the does God say to us as we come to the does God say to us as we come to the close of our mini-series on growth?

close of our mini-series on growth? close of our mini-series on growth? Let's look at Luke chapter number 8, Let's look at Luke chapter number 8, Let's look at Luke chapter number 8, verses 4 following. verses 4 following. verses 4 following. Luke 8:4 following. Luke 8:4 following. Luke 8:4 following. A large crowd was gathering and people A large crowd was gathering and people A large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after were coming to Jesus from town after were coming to Jesus from town after town and he told this parable. town and he told this parable. town and he told this parable. A farmer went out to sow his seed. He A farmer went out to sow his seed. He A farmer went out to sow his seed. He was scattering the seed. Some fell upon was scattering the seed. Some fell upon was scattering the seed. Some fell upon the path. It was trampled on and the the path. It was trampled on and the the path. It was trampled on and the birds ate it up. birds ate it up. birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground. That was last Some fell on rocky ground. That was last Some fell on rocky ground. That was last week. And when it came up, the plants week. And when it came up, the plants week. And when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. withered because they had no moisture. withered because they had no moisture. Verse seven. Verse seven. Verse seven. Other seeds fell among thorns, which Other seeds fell among thorns, which Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked grew up with it and choked grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on the plants. Still other seed fell on the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil and it came up and yielded a good soil and it came up and yielded a good soil and it came up and yielded a crop a hundred times more than it sown. crop a hundred times more than it sown. crop a hundred times more than it sown. We want to be good soil. We want to be good soil. We want to be good soil. We want to be productive from God for We want to be productive from God for We want to be productive from God for God. God. God. So many times we said in this series, So many times we said in this series, So many times we said in this series, Jesus would tell a parable and say, Jesus would tell a parable and say, Jesus would tell a parable and say, "Hey, if you get it, you get it. If you "Hey, if you get it, you get it. If you "Hey, if you get it, you get it. If you don't, you don't." He wouldn't explain don't, you don't." He wouldn't explain don't, you don't." He wouldn't explain it. He would just let it lie out there. it. He would just let it lie out there. it. He would just let it lie out there. But in this one he gives us, as I've But in this one he gives us, as I've But in this one he gives us, as I've said, a cheat code. Look at verses 14 to said, a cheat code. Look at verses 14 to said, a cheat code. Look at verses 14 to 15. In other words, he tells us what he 15. In other words, he tells us what he 15. In other words, he tells us what he means.

means. means. He said, "The seed that fell among the He said, "The seed that fell among the He said, "The seed that fell among the thorns stands for those who hear the thorns stands for those who hear the thorns stands for those who hear the word of God, word of God, word of God, but as they go on their way, as they go but as they go on their way, as they go but as they go on their way, as they go on their way, they are choked by life's on their way, they are choked by life's on their way, they are choked by life's worries, riches, and pleasures and they worries, riches, and pleasures and they worries, riches, and pleasures and they do not mature. do not mature. do not mature. They do not grow. They do not grow. They do not grow. But the seed on good soil stands for But the seed on good soil stands for But the seed on good soil stands for those who have a noble and good heart, those who have a noble and good heart, those who have a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by who hear the word, retain it, and by who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop persevering produce a crop persevering produce a crop tenfold, fiftyfold, a hundredfold the tenfold, fiftyfold, a hundredfold the tenfold, fiftyfold, a hundredfold the other gospels say. So, this passage other gospels say. So, this passage other gospels say. So, this passage is about a farmer, right, who's is about a farmer, right, who's is about a farmer, right, who's scattering seed, scattering seed. Some scattering seed, scattering seed. Some scattering seed, scattering seed. Some goes on the path, some on the rocky goes on the path, some on the rocky goes on the path, some on the rocky soil, some on the uh soil that has soil, some on the uh soil that has soil, some on the uh soil that has thorns in it. But the parable's really not so much But the parable's really not so much about about about gardening or agriculture. It's about the gardening or agriculture. It's about the gardening or agriculture. It's about the condition of our hearts. condition of our hearts. condition of our hearts. The same word, the same seed that can The same word, the same seed that can The same word, the same seed that can grow and flourish and produce a life of grow and flourish and produce a life of grow and flourish and produce a life of joy and peace joy and peace joy and peace can also be rejected and as we see today can also be rejected and as we see today can also be rejected and as we see today can also be choked out by the worries can also be choked out by the worries can also be choked out by the worries and the thorns of life.

So one of the questions this passage ask So one of the questions this passage ask us I think us I think us I think it is this. it is this. it is this. What are What are What are your your your thorns? thorns? thorns? What's threatening to choke out What's threatening to choke out What's threatening to choke out your life? your life? your life? Why do you keep these thorns in your Why do you keep these thorns in your Why do you keep these thorns in your life? life? life? And what are these thorns And what are these thorns And what are these thorns costing you? Back Back to my daughter and the subtitle of the to my daughter and the subtitle of the to my daughter and the subtitle of the book. book. book. Title of the book is the concept of Title of the book is the concept of Title of the book is the concept of anxiety. The subtitle is a simple anxiety. The subtitle is a simple anxiety. The subtitle is a simple psychologically oriented deliberation psychologically oriented deliberation psychologically oriented deliberation and view of the dogmatic problem of and view of the dogmatic problem of and view of the dogmatic problem of hereditary sin. By guess who? By guess who? Soren Kierkegaard. So Soren Kierkegaard. So Soren Kierkegaard. So what did he mean by that? He meant that He meant that the drive that you have that I have to the drive that you have that I have to the drive that you have that I have to do our own thing.

do our own thing. do our own thing. The propensity we have to go our own The propensity we have to go our own The propensity we have to go our own way, to rebel and to say, "You know way, to rebel and to say, "You know way, to rebel and to say, "You know what? I'm going to pick and choose what? I'm going to pick and choose what? I'm going to pick and choose things from God's word." That That That things from God's word." That That That things from God's word." That That That is inside of all of us. is inside of all of us. is inside of all of us. He defines anxiety as the dizziness of He defines anxiety as the dizziness of He defines anxiety as the dizziness of freedom. In other words, it's that freedom. In other words, it's that freedom. In other words, it's that dizziness, the same dizziness that Adam dizziness, the same dizziness that Adam dizziness, the same dizziness that Adam felt when he realized, "I can choose to felt when he realized, "I can choose to felt when he realized, "I can choose to continue to depend upon God or I can continue to depend upon God or I can continue to depend upon God or I can choose to go my own way and become my choose to go my own way and become my choose to go my own way and become my own God." He said we all as humans own God." He said we all as humans own God." He said we all as humans experience this dizziness of the experience this dizziness of the experience this dizziness of the multiplicity of choices that we face in multiplicity of choices that we face in multiplicity of choices that we face in our world today. And as verse 14 says, as we go on our And as verse 14 says, as we go on our way. way. way. As we go on our way, they're choked out As we go on our way, they're choked out As we go on our way, they're choked out by worries, riches, and pleasures. by worries, riches, and pleasures. by worries, riches, and pleasures. They're choked out by what? Those three They're choked out by what? Those three They're choked out by what? Those three eyes that we talk about so much. eyes that we talk about so much. eyes that we talk about so much. Increase. Increase. Increase. Increase your stuff.

Increase your stuff. Increase your stuff. Build up your pile. Increase your stack Build up your pile. Increase your stack Build up your pile. Increase your stack of things. of things. of things. Indulge yourself. Indulge yourself. Indulge yourself. You deserve a break today, right? You deserve a break today, right? You deserve a break today, right? Indulge yourself. Indulge yourself. Indulge yourself. Seek pleasures. Seek your own happiness. Seek pleasures. Seek your own happiness. Seek pleasures. Seek your own happiness. Indulge. And then finally, you have to Indulge. And then finally, you have to Indulge. And then finally, you have to do the third eye, impress others. do the third eye, impress others. do the third eye, impress others. Post it. Post it. Post it. Impress your followers. Impress your Impress your followers. Impress your Impress your followers. Impress your friends. Increase, indulge, impress. Oh friends. Increase, indulge, impress. Oh friends. Increase, indulge, impress. Oh my. Increase, indulge, impress. Oh my. my. Increase, indulge, impress. Oh my. my. Increase, indulge, impress. Oh my. Those are the three eyes that underwrite Those are the three eyes that underwrite Those are the three eyes that underwrite you know, invisibly underwrite the world you know, invisibly underwrite the world you know, invisibly underwrite the world in which you and I live and inhabit. And in which you and I live and inhabit. And in which you and I live and inhabit. And [music] what does it do? Increase, [music] what does it do? Increase, [music] what does it do? Increase, indulge, impress. Increase, indulge, indulge, impress. Increase, indulge, indulge, impress. Increase, indulge, impress. It creates more stress. Now, is God against Now, is God against you being productive in your life, your you being productive in your life, your you being productive in your life, your family, your job? Absolutely not.

family, your job? Absolutely not. family, your job? Absolutely not. Is God against Is God against Is God against pleasure, and fun, and joy? No, God pleasure, and fun, and joy? No, God pleasure, and fun, and joy? No, God created everything for its own time and created everything for its own time and created everything for its own time and its own space. its own space. its own space. But when we're driven by that, But when we're driven by that, But when we're driven by that, when we think if I can just increase, if when we think if I can just increase, if when we think if I can just increase, if I can just indulge a little more, if I I can just indulge a little more, if I I can just indulge a little more, if I can just impress and have a little more can just impress and have a little more can just impress and have a little more likes and followers and fame, then I likes and followers and fame, then I likes and followers and fame, then I will be will be will be happy. We're missing it. We're missing it. We're missing God. We're missing what We're missing God. We're missing what We're missing God. We're missing what God has for us. The Bible has a God has for us. The Bible has a God has for us. The Bible has a entire book. Isn't it amazing? The Bible entire book. Isn't it amazing? The Bible entire book. Isn't it amazing? The Bible has an entire book on increase, indulge, has an entire book on increase, indulge, has an entire book on increase, indulge, and impress. and impress. and impress. It's called Ecclesiastes. It's called Ecclesiastes. It's called Ecclesiastes. The whole book is about that. The whole book is about that. The whole book is about that. Solomon Solomon Solomon would say to anybody living and would say to anybody living and would say to anybody living and breathing today, "Hey folks, I've had it breathing today, "Hey folks, I've had it breathing today, "Hey folks, I've had it all.

all. all. I have it all, the billions, I have it all, the billions, I have it all, the billions, the pleasure, the power, the fame. All the pleasure, the power, the fame. All the pleasure, the power, the fame. All of it," he says, "is vanity and nothing of it," he says, "is vanity and nothing of it," he says, "is vanity and nothing and emptiness. I am not happy," is what and emptiness. I am not happy," is what and emptiness. I am not happy," is what he says. Well, that's just Solomon. Well, that's just Solomon. I would be different. No, you have that No, you have that What did Soren say? Hereditary problem What did Soren say? Hereditary problem What did Soren say? Hereditary problem of sin? Leads to greater Leads to greater stress. And it can And it can choke choke choke out out out your life.

A lot of us here today have heard of A lot of us here today have heard of singer-songwriter by the name of Jewel. Jewel Jewel years ago went into a friend's house. years ago went into a friend's house. years ago went into a friend's house. When she went to her friend's house and When she went to her friend's house and When she went to her friend's house and noticed that there were empty empty noticed that there were empty empty noticed that there were empty empty nitrous cans and nitrous cans and nitrous cans and dog mess and chaos and dog mess and chaos and dog mess and chaos and just utter disarray. So, when just utter disarray. So, when just utter disarray. So, when she got back to her home, she wrote her she got back to her home, she wrote her she got back to her home, she wrote her friend a letter friend a letter friend a letter and said, "You are in trouble, and said, "You are in trouble, and said, "You are in trouble, Tony. Tony. Tony. You can't even connect with me anymore. You can't even connect with me anymore. You can't even connect with me anymore. You You can't connect with the people You You can't connect with the people You You can't connect with the people that come to your house. It's sad. It's that come to your house. It's sad. It's that come to your house. It's sad. It's incredibly sad, and I don't think this incredibly sad, and I don't think this incredibly sad, and I don't think this is your time." Her friend had gone from Her friend had gone from Xanax and Adderall to vodka and ketamine and finally to vodka and ketamine and finally nitrous. Three months later, Three months later, she got the news that she got the news that she got the news that her friend had her friend had her friend had set a part of his house on fire, lost set a part of his house on fire, lost set a part of his house on fire, lost his life at age 47.

So, who was Joule's friend? Tony. So, who was Joule's friend? Tony. Member of her family, somebody drug Member of her family, somebody drug Member of her family, somebody drug Listen, no. His name was Tony Hsieh, the Listen, no. His name was Tony Hsieh, the Listen, no. His name was Tony Hsieh, the founder and CEO of Zappos, worth a founder and CEO of Zappos, worth a founder and CEO of Zappos, worth a billion dollars, Harvard educated, New billion dollars, Harvard educated, New billion dollars, Harvard educated, New York Times best-selling author. Brilliant guy. Brilliant guy. Creative, leader, Creative, leader, Creative, leader, driven, successful in every way you can driven, successful in every way you can driven, successful in every way you can measure it, but he got so caught up like measure it, but he got so caught up like measure it, but he got so caught up like all of us do and that we got caught up all of us do and that we got caught up all of us do and that we got caught up in trying to impress and trying to in trying to impress and trying to in trying to impress and trying to indulge and he pushed it too far and indulge and he pushed it too far and indulge and he pushed it too far and many believe that's what led to the fire many believe that's what led to the fire many believe that's what led to the fire that took his that took his that took his life. This can choke the life out of you. This can choke the life out of you. Not listening and and responding to the Not listening and and responding to the Not listening and and responding to the word of God and allowing this crazy word of God and allowing this crazy word of God and allowing this crazy world of increase, indulge, and impress, world of increase, indulge, and impress, world of increase, indulge, and impress, of worry and anxiety not to deal with of worry and anxiety not to deal with of worry and anxiety not to deal with it, it can end up being a dagger in your it, it can end up being a dagger in your it, it can end up being a dagger in your life.

This could have happened years ago to a This could have happened years ago to a young man by the name of Augustine who young man by the name of Augustine who young man by the name of Augustine who lived his life increasing, impressing, lived his life increasing, impressing, lived his life increasing, impressing, indulging for many, many years until God indulging for many, many years until God indulging for many, many years until God got a hold of his life and Augustine got a hold of his life and Augustine got a hold of his life and Augustine changed the world. changed the world. changed the world. He changed the world. He turned around He changed the world. He turned around He changed the world. He turned around and said, "No, I am going to follow God. and said, "No, I am going to follow God. and said, "No, I am going to follow God. I'm to stop caving in to those three I'm to stop caving in to those three I'm to stop caving in to those three eyes. I'm to seek his peace, his eyes. I'm to seek his peace, his eyes. I'm to seek his peace, his purpose, his plan for my life." purpose, his plan for my life." purpose, his plan for my life." And this libertine, this wild man that And this libertine, this wild man that And this libertine, this wild man that we would call him, turned his life we would call him, turned his life we would call him, turned his life around and he's the most influential around and he's the most influential around and he's the most influential Christian in the history of our faith Christian in the history of our faith Christian in the history of our faith outside of the men and women of the outside of the men and women of the outside of the men and women of the Bible. Bible. Bible. He writes, "You must be emptied of what He writes, "You must be emptied of what He writes, "You must be emptied of what you're full of so you can be filled with you're full of so you can be filled with you're full of so you can be filled with what you lack." what you lack." what you lack." If we're going to deal with this crazy If we're going to deal with this crazy If we're going to deal with this crazy culture, this crazy world that we live culture, this crazy world that we live culture, this crazy world that we live in, in, in, we have to be emptied of what we're full we have to be emptied of what we're full we have to be emptied of what we're full of, this stress, this anxiety, of, this stress, this anxiety, of, this stress, this anxiety, this cultural current that's pulling you this cultural current that's pulling you this cultural current that's pulling you and pulling me to indulge, increase, and and pulling me to indulge, increase, and and pulling me to indulge, increase, and impress. We have to be emptied of that.

So that we can be filled with God's So that we can be filled with God's power and God's purposes and God's peace power and God's purposes and God's peace power and God's purposes and God's peace for our life. And as we talked about in this series And as we talked about in this series and as we'll look about in our summer and as we'll look about in our summer and as we'll look about in our summer series in a few weeks, series in a few weeks, series in a few weeks, this happens this happens this happens on the daily. on the daily. on the daily. The daily. The daily. The daily. It is not just something that we It is not just something that we It is not just something that we talk about on Sunday morning and our talk about on Sunday morning and our talk about on Sunday morning and our Bible study classes. It's just not Bible study classes. It's just not Bible study classes. It's just not something that I preach about on Sunday something that I preach about on Sunday something that I preach about on Sunday morning. No, this has to be a part of morning. No, this has to be a part of morning. No, this has to be a part of the warp and the woof of our own lives. Because everything's at stake here. Because everything's at stake here. This is not just a This is not just a This is not just a a tool to help us deal with stress and a tool to help us deal with stress and a tool to help us deal with stress and anxiety and worry. Though we need those anxiety and worry. Though we need those anxiety and worry. Though we need those and I'm not against them. Our greatest need, Our greatest need, our greatest need, and that's why we're our greatest need, and that's why we're our greatest need, and that's why we're here today, is that we can worship and here today, is that we can worship and here today, is that we can worship and connect with God and make him known in connect with God and make him known in connect with God and make him known in our life. That's our greatest need.

our life. That's our greatest need. our life. That's our greatest need. To love him and to love others. So, how To love him and to love others. So, how To love him and to love others. So, how do we do that? How can we be emptied do we do that? How can we be emptied do we do that? How can we be emptied and then be filled by God? and then be filled by God? and then be filled by God? First of all, First of all, First of all, we have to receive his invitation to us. we have to receive his invitation to us. we have to receive his invitation to us. He says to us what? Come to me all who He says to us what? Come to me all who He says to us what? Come to me all who are weary are weary are weary and I will give you rest. rest. Matthew 11:28-30. Matthew 11:28-30. Matthew 11:28-30. Come to me all who are Come to me all who are Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. and I will give you rest. We come to Christ, We come to Christ, We come to Christ, the creator of the universe, the creator the creator of the universe, the creator the creator of the universe, the creator of this world, the sustainer of this of this world, the sustainer of this of this world, the sustainer of this universe who holds all things together universe who holds all things together universe who holds all things together and who can hold you and I together. We and who can hold you and I together. We and who can hold you and I together. We come to him and say, "Lord Jesus Christ, come to him and say, "Lord Jesus Christ, come to him and say, "Lord Jesus Christ, I come to you in this moment. I come to I come to you in this moment. I come to I come to you in this moment. I come to you tonight before I lay my head on the you tonight before I lay my head on the you tonight before I lay my head on the pillow. I come to you in the morning.

pillow. I come to you in the morning. pillow. I come to you in the morning. God, I come to you God, I come to you God, I come to you because you will give me rest and peace because you will give me rest and peace because you will give me rest and peace and you invite us to come to you." So, the first thing we do is we come to So, the first thing we do is we come to Christ. Christ. Christ. We run to Christ. We run to Christ. We run to Christ. We crawl if we have to to Christ and We crawl if we have to to Christ and We crawl if we have to to Christ and say, "Lord Jesus Christ, I I'm I'm I'm say, "Lord Jesus Christ, I I'm I'm I'm say, "Lord Jesus Christ, I I'm I'm I'm overwhelmed. I'm stressed. I'm worried overwhelmed. I'm stressed. I'm worried overwhelmed. I'm stressed. I'm worried and I have to come to you. and I have to come to you. and I have to come to you. I have to come to you." Then we come to him, what do we do? We Then we come to him, what do we do? We cast cast cast all of our cares upon him because he all of our cares upon him because he all of our cares upon him because he cares for you. He says, "Cast all your cares for you. He says, "Cast all your cares for you. He says, "Cast all your cares upon me because I care for you." cares upon me because I care for you." cares upon me because I care for you." That's 1 Peter 5:7. We we surrender our cares. We surrender We we surrender our cares. We surrender our worries. We surrender our stress to our worries. We surrender our stress to our worries. We surrender our stress to him. We don't surrender the him. We don't surrender the him. We don't surrender the responsibility.

responsibility. responsibility. We don't surrender obedience, but we We don't surrender obedience, but we We don't surrender obedience, but we still simply say, "I cannot control the still simply say, "I cannot control the still simply say, "I cannot control the future. I cannot control so many things future. I cannot control so many things future. I cannot control so many things in my life and I'm not going to allow in my life and I'm not going to allow in my life and I'm not going to allow the stress and the worry and the anxiety the stress and the worry and the anxiety the stress and the worry and the anxiety and all the stuff that comes along with and all the stuff that comes along with and all the stuff that comes along with it it it to overwhelm me and overwhelm my life. to overwhelm me and overwhelm my life. to overwhelm me and overwhelm my life. I'm going to cast that care upon God. I'm going to cast that care upon God. I'm going to cast that care upon God. I'm going to cast that worry upon him. I'm going to cast that worry upon him. I'm going to cast that worry upon him. I'm going to cast that anxiety upon him I'm going to cast that anxiety upon him I'm going to cast that anxiety upon him and I do that on the daily, day by day and I do that on the daily, day by day and I do that on the daily, day by day by day by day. And we have to learn how to do that. And we have to learn how to do that. Learn how to cast Learn how to cast Learn how to cast upon the Lord. Paul said, "What? Be anxious for Paul said, "What? Be anxious for nothing." nothing." nothing." Be anxious for nothing, but by Be anxious for nothing, but by Be anxious for nothing, but by everything in prayer and supplication everything in prayer and supplication everything in prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests let with Thanksgiving, let your requests let with Thanksgiving, let your requests let your requests be known to God. your requests be known to God. your requests be known to God. We come to Christ. We come to Christ. We come to Christ. We cast all of our cares upon him, and We cast all of our cares upon him, and We cast all of our cares upon him, and then we're able to do what? Commit all then we're able to do what? Commit all then we're able to do what? Commit all your ways as you go on your way.

I commit my life to you. I commit my life to you. My heart, my soul, my mind, my strength, My heart, my soul, my mind, my strength, My heart, my soul, my mind, my strength, I commit that to you. I commit my family I commit that to you. I commit my family I commit that to you. I commit my family to you. to you. to you. I commit my finances to you. I commit my I commit my finances to you. I commit my I commit my finances to you. I commit my future to you. I commit my kids, my future to you. I commit my kids, my future to you. I commit my kids, my grandkids, my life, my work, my school. grandkids, my life, my work, my school. grandkids, my life, my work, my school. God, I commit it all to you. It's like that old hymn said, "I It's like that old hymn said, "I surrender some." No. surrender some." No. surrender some." No. "I surrender 1/10." No, that's not it, "I surrender 1/10." No, that's not it, "I surrender 1/10." No, that's not it, right? It's not it. right? It's not it. right? It's not it. The King James says it right. "I The King James says it right. "I The King James says it right. "I surrender all." surrender all." surrender all." All. All. All. And again, this is a daily thing. And again, this is a daily thing. And again, this is a daily thing. Because I may surrender all right now at Because I may surrender all right now at Because I may surrender all right now at 10:07, 10:07, 10:07, but by 10:35, I'm going to take some of but by 10:35, I'm going to take some of but by 10:35, I'm going to take some of it back. Maybe I'm alone in that. That's okay. Maybe I'm alone in that. That's okay. Um Um Um We have to commit it all to him. It's a We have to commit it all to him. It's a We have to commit it all to him. It's a continual turning our life, our worries, continual turning our life, our worries, continual turning our life, our worries, our stress, our lives, every area of our our stress, our lives, every area of our our stress, our lives, every area of our life under the lordship of Christ.

life under the lordship of Christ. life under the lordship of Christ. I surrender all to you. I release it to I surrender all to you. I release it to I surrender all to you. I release it to you. So, I can live a life that I love you, love others. that I love you, love others. A life of joy. translation of Matthew translation of Matthew 11:28. 11:28. 11:28. It says, "Are you tired, worn out, worn out, burned out on religion? Come to me. Come to me. Get away with me, and you'll recover Get away with me, and you'll recover Get away with me, and you'll recover your life. your life. your life. I'll show you how to take a real I'll show you how to take a real I'll show you how to take a real rest. rest. rest. Walk with me, and work with me. Walk with me, and work with me. Walk with me, and work with me. Watch how I do it." Christ says, "Learn Watch how I do it." Christ says, "Learn Watch how I do it." Christ says, "Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

the unforced rhythms of grace. the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or I won't lay anything heavy or I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. ill-fitting on you. ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me, Keep company with me, Keep company with me, and you'll learn and you'll learn and you'll learn to live freely to live freely to live freely and lightly. We don't We don't have to be have to be have to be the anxious generation. By his grace, By his grace, we can become we can become we can become the Jesus the Jesus the Jesus generation. Filled Filled >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> Filled with his joy. Good soil. Good soil. Good soil.