Basics of Biblical Counseling

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Basics of Biblical Counseling

• Lesson 8
• Fear and Worry

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VII. Worry Fear
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A. Defining Worry

1. Worry is an over-anxious concern regarding the
   future or things that keeps a person from
   fulfilling current responsibilities.1
2. Worry is a sin of continual dwelling on and
   preoccupation with some fear, usually associated
   with the future.
3. Worry should not be confused with diligent care
   and concern (2 Cor. 1128, Phil. 220, Gal. 419)
4. Worry is not careful planning for the future
   which considers Gods sovereignty (James 413)

1 - NANC definition
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A. Defining Worry

1. Concern can change categories and become worry

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A. Defining Worry

• Thoughts focused on changing the future
• Thoughts are unproductive unfruitful
• It controls you
• Neglects other responsibilities
• Lose hope or stop functioning

• God not in equation
• God not in focus
• God is not being trusted

WORRY
CONCERN
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B. Worry is sinful

1. Jesus forbids worry (Matt. 619-34)
2. Paul commands believers to not worry (Phil. 46)

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C. Dealing with Worry

• Worry amounts to idolatry God has been replaced
• Idolatry means worshipping someone or something
  other than God (Rom. 125)
• Worry expresses the idolatry of the heart (Matt.
  619-21)
• The things we worry about reveal our idols
• The solution is repentance, since no one can
  serve two masters (Matt. 624, Ex. 203-6)

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C. Dealing with Worry

• Worry amounts to unbelief not trusting God
  (Matt. 625-34)
• Worry is a totally unproductive, useless activity
  (v. 27)
• Worriers are people of little faith (v. 30)
• Worriers dont see Gods provision, care,
  knowledge and faithfulness (vv. 25-32)
• Worriers focus too much on the mights of the
  future, such that they become irresponsible in
  the present (v. 34)
• The solution is to trust God, and seek His
  kingdom by honoring Him (v. 33)

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C. Dealing with Worry

• Worry needs to be replaced with righteous
  activities (Phil. 45b-9)
• Replace worry with prayer and thankfulness (v. 6)
• Replace worry with thinking on things that are
  true (v. 8)
• Replace worry with righteous behavior (v. 9)
• Note the progression

Right Praying
Right Thinking
Right Acting
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C. Dealing with Worry

1. The focus of it all Know that God is near (v.
   5b)
2. The result The peace of God will guard you (v. 7)

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D. Right Fear Vs. Sinful Fear

• Fears that are right
• The fear of God (Ecc. 1213, Prov. 17, 910)
• Fear of danger (Job 4133, Gen. 414-15, 1 Cor.
  619-20, Ps 641)
• Fears that are sinful
• Fear of man instead of God (John 1242-43, Luke
  124-5, Gal. 110)
• Fear of things temporal rather than eternal (Luke
  124-5, 1 Cor. 45, Gen. 267)
• Fear of things we cannot change (Prov. 325, Gen.
  414)

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E. Dealing with Sinful Fear

1. Replace sinful fear with the fear of the LORD
   (Ps. 1184-6, 271, Prov. 325-26, 1426, 1923
   Gal. 110)
2. Identify the lust or idol behind the fear (James
   114-15)
3. Replace sinful fear with love (2 Tim. 17, 1 John
   418)

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E. Dealing with Sinful Fear
FEAR LOVE
Focus on self Focus on God others
Self-protecting Self-giving
What will I lose? What can I give?
Avoids problem Solves problem
Secludes self Sacrifices self
Hesitates Starts
Can be cast out Can cast out fear
Highly suspicious Believes all things
I wont try Acts obediently
Might fail Reaches out even if fails
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E. Dealing with Sinful Fear

1. Deal with guilt biblically (Prov. 281, 1 John
   19)
2. View fearful situations as opportunities to grow
   for Gods glory and my good (Rom. 828-29, 2 Cor.
   59)
3. Meditate on helpful Scripture verses

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Homework

• No class next week. Catch up on reading if
  necessary
• Read chapters 15 16
• Memorize Philippians 46-8
• Additional reading and resources
• Personal project