WEBVTT 00:00:00.719 --> 00:00:01.439 Well, good morning. 00:00:01.520 --> 00:00:02.319 My name is Nathan. 00:00:02.399 --> 00:00:07.120 I'm so glad that you're joining us today as we are continuing our series called Renew. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:10.720 In this series, we've been talking about fighting the spiritual battle. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:13.759 And if you don't know that you're in a spiritual battle, you are in a spiritual battle. 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:16.640 If you don't know, then you're probably losing the spiritual battle. 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:25.839 And this isn't a battle that we fight with swords and spears, but rather it's a battle that's fought and won in our minds and how we think the thoughts that God would have us to think. 00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:31.920 It's really coming from this idea in Romans chapter 12, verse 2 that says, Be transformed. 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:37.280 Don't be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 00:00:37.520 --> 00:00:41.280 That's really where transformation happens is when we renew our mind. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:48.320 And so last week we laid the foundation of the series and we said that we have to purposely choose to be still with God. 00:00:48.479 --> 00:01:00.640 That it's not going to happen naturally, that we've got to make sure that our schedules are slowed down and cut down enough where we can make adequate time to be still before the Lord and to adequately spend time with Him. 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:12.799 And so hopefully you've done that this past week and God's blessed you in those times because the incredible promise that we learned was in James chapter 4, verse 8 that says that when we draw near to God, that he draws near to us. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:19.200 And so what an incredible promise to stand on that when we slow down long enough, that God approaches us as a result as well. 00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:24.879 And today we're going to continue this series and we're looking at this idea of anxiety, worry, and fear. 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:30.159 And ultimately, these things, you know, consume a lot of our minds, especially in this season. 00:01:30.319 --> 00:01:35.519 But we're going to look at how we can overcome the worry and anxiety and fears in life. 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:38.560 Worry, anxiety, and fear. 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:40.000 They've always existed. 00:01:40.159 --> 00:01:43.359 Even back in the time of Jesus, he addressed these issues. 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:51.840 But I feel like now, more so than ever before, we're constantly bombarded with stories of people that are struggling with worry, anxiety, and fear. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:57.920 Maybe it's because we have 24-7 news or social media constantly grabbing at our attention. 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:07.920 Maybe it's that we're hearing stories of wars or bombings or deadly viruses that are spreading around or businesses that are closing or people that are losing their jobs. 00:02:08.159 --> 00:02:15.840 It's no wonder that we have this constant worry, fear, and anxiety as a part of our normal everyday life. 00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:19.439 But I think it really stems from these two words. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:20.719 What if? 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:25.199 It's this question of what if, what might happen. 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:39.439 And if you're anything like me, I'll ask the question of what if, but if I'm not careful, I'll begin to let my thoughts spiral out of control and they'll lead me to a very dark abyss, a very dark place. 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:46.479 Like for example, just recently, because of the virus, kids are out of school and we've had to homeschool our son Sam. 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:53.680 And so the thought crosses my mind, what if Sam doesn't learn everything that he needs to learn? 00:02:53.840 --> 00:02:55.840 Now, that might be a valid question. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:00.560 Although if you know my wife who's doing all the homeschooling, you would know that that's probably not the case. 00:03:00.719 --> 00:03:06.400 But the thought enters my mind, now, if I'm not careful, I can let that thought spiral out of control. 00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:10.479 And I can begin to think, well, what if he doesn't learn everything he needs to learn? 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:15.840 Well, then maybe he won't be able to go to the next grade that he is supposed to go to. 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:27.599 And then beyond that, as he gets into the upper grades, maybe he's going to start hanging out with the wrong friends. 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:30.400 And when he gets older, he's going to maybe drop out of school. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:35.439 What if he drops out of school, he gets addicted to drugs, and eventually he dies an early death? 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:44.080 Now, that's not logical, that doesn't make any sense, but that's the power of what if and not taking our thoughts captive. 00:03:44.479 --> 00:03:51.599 It can quickly lead us down a downward spiral that leads us to places that are just illogical a lot of times. 00:03:51.919 --> 00:04:06.080 And so we have to understand that a lot of times the what-ifs of life are really just our fears being magnified and things that are not really logical coming into existence. 00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:12.400 And so there are some silly things that we can think of, especially considering in that example my son's only a pre-K. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:16.639 But there are some real life examples too that we probably all struggle with. 00:04:16.800 --> 00:04:21.040 You know, like what if my future isn't going to be great? 00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:24.879 You know, what if I don't live up to other people's expectations for me? 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:27.120 What if I fail? 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:30.639 What if people find out and discover who I really am? 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:35.199 And those what ifs are big questions, but here's my question for you. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:44.959 Does Jesus, in following him, does he want us to live lives where we're trapped in the constant idea of what if? 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:59.839 Does he want us to live lives where we're so debilitated by this fear, worry, and anxiety that we don't walk in the peace and in the satisfaction that he alone can bring in our lives. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:15.040 If we're not careful, we'll let worry and anxiety and fear spiral us downward into a place that we were never designed to go, where we're held captive by our thoughts and we live in our own personal prison. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:18.800 But Jesus never intended us to live lives like this. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:22.319 He wanted us to walk in freedom and in peace. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:25.040 And that's only found in Him. 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:36.720 And we're going to be out of the book of Philippians. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:37.920 A very familiar passage. 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:45.839 And just a few weeks ago, I preached on this very same passage about how we can choose joy and we can fight for joy. 00:05:46.079 --> 00:05:48.560 But there's so much here I wanted to come back to it again. 00:05:48.639 --> 00:05:53.360 And here's what the Apostle Paul says in Philippians chapter 4, verses 4 through 9. 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:54.959 Rejoice in the Lord always. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:56.639 Again, I will say rejoice. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:06:00.959 He says, Let your reasonableness, which means gentleness, be known to everyone. 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:02.240 The Lord is at hand. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:12.160 He says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:17.600 And see, if we want peace, peace comes from the same place that joy comes from. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:20.560 It comes from our assurance of salvation. 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:22.560 It comes from a relationship with Jesus. 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:24.639 It comes from Jesus within you. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:27.759 It comes from Jesus being with you. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:29.920 And so here's what Paul is saying. 00:06:30.160 --> 00:06:32.639 There's two words I want to focus on. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:35.839 And one of the words is focus, and the other word is think. 00:06:36.480 --> 00:06:41.519 Jesus, he always comes back to this idea of being willing to think. 00:06:41.680 --> 00:06:42.480 He says, consider. 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:43.439 Consider. 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:45.680 He says, don't be anxious about anything. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:47.279 Don't worry about anything. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:48.079 But consider. 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:49.279 He says, consider. 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:56.800 And he's basically saying that you need to be willing to think and you need to focus your thoughts. 00:06:57.040 --> 00:06:59.040 As a matter of fact, Timothy Keller says this. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:03.439 He says, worry is the absence of thought. 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:11.040 And so anxiety literally means that your thoughts are divided. 00:07:11.439 --> 00:07:13.759 You know the story of Mary and Martha, right? 00:07:14.399 --> 00:07:16.240 Mary is laser focused. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:25.920 Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, and she is so laser focused on the fact that Jesus is in her house and she sits at his feet. 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:28.319 She's listening to every word. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:29.759 She is single-minded. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.360 Well, Martha is different. 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:39.680 And the same word that we get the word anxious is the word that describes Mary being divided in her focus. 00:07:40.160 --> 00:07:42.480 She's worried about all types of things. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:45.040 And so she's not single-minded. 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:48.720 She's divided in her thoughts. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:53.360 And so the opposite of anxiety is single-mindedness. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:56.160 And the opposite of peace is worry. 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:58.319 Now here's what you need to understand. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:06.720 The kind of peace that I'm talking about is not the peace that comes from cynicism or apathy. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:10.800 The kind of peace I'm talking about comes from the character of Jesus. 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:16.639 It comes from understanding who He is and how He's present in your life. 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:24.800 And so a lot of times when we see people that are at peace, they're really not at peace, but they're just detached from life. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:27.360 And so here's what he says in verse 7. 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:29.199 Here's what going forward with this. 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:38.240 Paul says, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:39.919 So here's the question. 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:43.039 How do you cultivate this peace? 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:45.360 How do you cultivate this joy? 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:47.039 Remember what I've already said? 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:50.159 Peace comes from the same thing that joy comes from. 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:53.200 It comes from this assurance of your salvation. 00:08:53.440 --> 00:08:58.559 It comes from Jesus in you, with you, over you, guiding you. 00:08:58.799 --> 00:09:00.399 It comes from these two words. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:11.120 Focus and think on what Jesus has done for you, what he's doing in you, and what he promises for you in the future. 00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:14.799 And so worry is the absence of thoughts. 00:09:15.039 --> 00:09:18.000 And you've got to focus your thoughts. 00:09:18.399 --> 00:09:26.559 Now in verse 8, Paul begins to offer us some practical insight in how to cultivate this joy and this peace. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:31.759 So here's what we must know. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:39.200 You can either talk to your heart or you can listen to your heart talk to you. 00:09:40.080 --> 00:09:46.799 See, every morning when we wake up, if you're like me, you're flooded with these ideas. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:49.360 And it's like, man, are we living in a dream? 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:51.840 Who's gotten sick today? 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:53.440 Has anybody died? 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:55.519 Has it affected me? 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:58.080 Is everybody in my family okay? 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:02.960 And so you hear your heart talking to you. 00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:05.120 And it's not truthful talk. 00:10:05.279 --> 00:10:11.840 As a matter of fact, it's it's talk that is based upon fear and it's based upon anxiety. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:13.440 And so here's the reality. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:20.080 Even the prophet Jeremiah and other places in Scripture, we understand that we can't always trust our heart. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:26.639 Jeremiah 17, 9 says this the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:28.639 Who can understand it? 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:32.159 And so this is the result of listening to your heart. 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:36.720 See, there's two things that you can do according to what Paul is saying here. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:52.080 You can continue to listen to your deceitful heart, and you can continue to grow more anxious and more fearful and full of more worry, and you'll be divided in your thinking, and the peace of God will pass you by. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.919 It won't be a part of your life. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.399 It's not part of your equation. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:11:00.960 Or, or you can speak to your heart. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:01.519 What? 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:03.200 I can speak to my heart? 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:05.919 Yes, you can speak to your heart. 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:10.799 Paul gives us the script here in Philippians chapter 4. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:17.919 When he's talking us through choosing to rejoice, choosing the peace of God. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.360 And here's what Paul says we can speak to our heart. 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:23.200 You ask the question. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:28.879 When we hear our heart say or ask the question, Am I gonna die? 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:33.120 Here's what you need to be able to say back to your heart. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:35.840 It's the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter 10. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:41.600 He says, Do not fear those who can kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:47.039 Rather fear him who can kill both the soul and the body. 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:49.519 What if I can't pay my bills? 00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:52.399 What if I won't survive financially? 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:58.799 See, you need to understand what Jesus says in Luke chapter 12 when he says, consider the ravens. 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:05.600 They neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:11.120 Of how much more value are you to God than the birds? 00:12:11.440 --> 00:12:17.200 So the enemy has us ensnared with these two words that are dreadful. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:18.960 And here's the two words. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.159 What if? 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.759 What if? 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:25.440 And all of a sudden our imagination takes off. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:31.600 And along with our heart, we begin to hear what if all the time. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:37.039 But we need to change the what if for two other words that are beautiful words. 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:38.639 And here's those two words. 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:40.159 Because God. 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:50.159 See, because God clothes the lilies of the field and he feeds the birds of the air, we don't need to be anxious about tomorrow. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:58.000 Because God has poured his love into our hearts, our hope will not be put to shame, as Paul says in Romans 5.5. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:09.519 Because God chose us to be saved by his strength, we can stand firm in our faith no matter what the day holds, according to what Paul says in Ephesians 3. 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:16.720 And Paul concludes here, beginning of verse 8. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:32.480 He says, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there's any excellence, if there's anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:40.879 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:51.840 And here's what I have found that is the best way to explain this verse is you replace the word whatever in these verses with the name Jesus. 00:13:52.639 --> 00:14:09.840 So, in essence, what you have is that Jesus is true, Jesus is honorable, Jesus is just, Jesus is pure, Jesus is lovely, Jesus is commendable, Jesus is worthy of all excellence, and Jesus is worthy of praise. 00:14:10.559 --> 00:14:16.559 And the reason I can choose to surrender my fears to God is because of Jesus. 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:19.120 Jesus changes everything. 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:27.440 Now, this all sounds really good in theory, but how do we make this an actual practice and how do we apply this to our daily lives? 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:29.919 There's four questions really for us to ask. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:34.240 The first question is this it's just simply to identify the thought that we're thinking. 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.840 Just saying, what is it? 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:43.039 Because a lot of times we have to just identify the thought before we can really begin to fight the battle against that thought. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:51.360 And so, just for an example, let's say your thought is, well, I'm scared that I'm going to lose my job and then I won't be able to provide for my family. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.360 You're identifying the thought. 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:59.120 The second question you're going to ask is not what is it, but rather, is the thought true? 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:08.720 Because when we identify if the thought is true, then we begin to kind of see, are we spiraling downward or is what we're actually thinking a reality? 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:14.159 And so in this case, I'm scared I'm going to lose my job and be unable to provide for my family. 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:16.399 Now, that might be a true statement. 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:17.519 Is it probable? 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.559 Maybe not. 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:21.200 But it is maybe a true statement. 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:24.080 However, here's where the rubber really meets the road. 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:30.960 From there, we ask the question of do what does God say about the thought that I'm thinking? 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:32.399 What does God have to say about it? 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:45.440 So in this instance, I look at just a couple of verses, and there's many verses throughout scripture, but in Philippians 4.19 it says, And my God will supply every need of yours according to the riches and glory in Christ Jesus. 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:47.679 So God's going to provide all of our needs. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:55.200 Matthew 6.33, but seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 00:15:55.360 --> 00:16:03.279 That when we're putting God in the right spots in our life and we're setting him as the priority for our lives, then he's going to provide and meet the needs that we have. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:11.200 With John 15, 7, if you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:12.879 And so here's what we're beginning to do. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:19.440 We've identified the thought, we've asked if it's true, and now we've started to say, okay, what does God have to say about it? 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:21.679 Now this is where it gets really, really difficult. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:31.519 After we've figured out what God has to say about the thoughts that we're thinking, we then have to ask ourselves the question, will I choose to believe God? 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:35.039 Because here's where, really, like I said, the rubber meets the road. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:37.679 We have to begin to make a conscious decision. 00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:51.120 Will I believe what I'm feeling, what my heart is saying right now, or will I talk back to my heart and choose to follow what God's word says rather than what I am feeling in this moment. 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:53.440 This is where victory is won. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:57.519 And so maybe this is you memorizing the scriptures that you've just read. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:17:03.600 Maybe it's uh talking to a trusted friend to help them hold you accountable so that you think the right thoughts. 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:10.640 But we have to make a conscious decision to believe what God's word says over what we're feeling. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:14.400 Now, we know that this is not an easy battle to fight. 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:17.359 And we know that this is something that a lot of people struggle with. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:20.720 And we just want to let you know that we as a church are here for you. 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:37.680 As pastors and as staff and as other leaders in our church, we want to make sure that you have the resources and you have people that are there to support you as you walk through anxious and anxiousness and worry and uh and and uh all the other things that come along with that. 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:39.680 We want you to know that we are here for you. 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:47.359 And so if you need people to just have a conversation with, to talk with, to have somebody pray for you with, we would love to have that opportunity. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:53.599 You can call us or text us on our church line at 678-729-8501. 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:57.440 Again, 678-729-8501. 00:17:57.599 --> 00:18:01.039 And we would love to be able to talk to you and help you walk through some of this. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:13.039 If it's not us that you're talking to, please talk to somebody else to help people, help get people in your life that can help you think the right thoughts and defeat the battle of worry, anxiousness, and fear. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:27.839 But as Russ has just said, ultimately we must think on Jesus because he is what is true, he is what is noble, he is the thing that we ultimately need in our lives to overcome the worry and anxiousness and fear in our lives. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:34.319 So if you don't know Jesus, we would love to give you the opportunity and we would love to introduce him to you. 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:42.319 There's no bigger difference and there's no bigger change that you can possibly make than making the decision to put your faith and your trust in Jesus. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:46.799 And one of the things that we say here at Church at the Grove is it's as simple as the A B C's. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:49.200 The first thing we do is that we admit that we're sinful. 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:52.400 We admit that we've broken God's laws and God's command. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:54.000 Then secondly, we believe. 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:59.519 We believe that Jesus is who he says he is, that he died on a cross, and then on the third day he rose again. 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:02.960 And then finally, we confess him as our Lord and Savior. 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:08.480 We say, it's no longer us calling the shots, but Lord, we want you to call the shots for our life. 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:14.720 We want to make you the Lord, the captain, the pilot of our lives, and we want you to be the Lord of our lives. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:19.200 And so if you want to make that decision today, we would we would encourage you to do that. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:27.279 And we would love to follow up and give you some more information about how that relationship with Jesus looks and how you can really fuel that relationship as well. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:36.079 And so if that's you, we want you to simply text the words, start to follow, all one word, start to follow to 9700. 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:43.680 And that will give you just a response and we'll be able to follow up with you this week and give you more information about how you can follow Jesus. 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:51.839 And for the rest of us, the rest of us that have maybe put our faith and trust in Jesus, but we're struggling in this moment, know that we're praying for you, know that we're here for you. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:56.799 And if there's anything that we can do for you and your family during this season, please let us know. 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.559 Let me pray for us as we close. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:04.000 Lord Jesus, we thank you so much that you are a God that is a God of peace. 00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:19.839 And you are a God that uh does not want us to think thoughts of anxiousness, you don't want us to worry, you don't want us to live in fear, but Lord, you want us to live victorious lives, lives that are abundant, uh, lives that are full of peace that surpasses all understanding. 00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:29.279 And Lord, I know that this topic is something that is uh resonating with so many people in our community and so many people that are listening to this, Lord, right now. 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:31.440 Lord, especially in this season. 00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:43.279 And so, Lord, I just pray that you would have the peace, uh just overcome all the obstacles in people's lives, Lord, that they would just feel your presence in this very moment, Lord, and that you would bring freedom over their lives. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:45.119 Lord, help them to fight the battle. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:50.880 Help them to not spiral downwards into just a dark abyss of what could be. 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:58.960 But instead, Lord, let them fight back with your word and not let their feelings dictate how they feel and how they act and what they believe. 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:08.079 But rather let the word of your uh book, the Bible, Lord, let that dictate how they feel and how they ultimately believe and live their lives. 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:12.960 And so, Lord, we pray that you would bring healing to each and every person that struggles with this. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:20.720 And Lord, we pray that we would be able to take our thoughts captive and as a result win the spiritual battle over fear, anxiousness, and worry. 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.519 Lord, we love you. 00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.799 And it's in your name we pray. 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.440 Amen.