Summary

This sermon addresses how anxiety, fear, and worry are stalking our society like never before, especially since 2020. Using the illustration of holding a finger close to your eye versus pushing it out to see the whole world, the pastor explains how we often make our problems so big they become all we can see. The solution is learning to 'push the finger back' by setting our minds on things above and recognizing God's presence through thanksgiving. Drawing from Psalm 100, the message emphasizes that worship and thanksgiving are powerful antidotes to anxiety because they help us gain proper perspective - seeing our problems in the context of God's goodness, love, and faithfulness that endures forever.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather together today, we acknowledge that many of us are carrying burdens, anxieties, and worries that feel overwhelming. We ask that You would quiet our hearts and minds right now. Help us to be open to what You want to teach us through Your Word today. Give us ears to hear and hearts that are receptive to Your truth. We pray that You would speak to each person here exactly what they need to hear, and help us to push back our problems into the proper context of Your goodness and faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What's your favorite way to prepare turkey for Thanksgiving - traditional oven roasted, smoked, or fried? Or do you prefer a completely different main dish for your holiday meal?

Key Verses

1. Psalm 100:1-5
2. Colossians 3:2
3. 1 Peter 1:13
4. Romans 8:5

Questions

1. The pastor described feeling 'stalked' by anxiety, fear, and worry in our current society. What are some specific things that tend to 'stalk' you or cause you ongoing anxiety?
2. How does the 'finger illustration' help you understand the difference between being consumed by problems versus having proper perspective? Can you think of a time when you had your 'finger too close to your eye'?
3. What does it mean practically to 'set your mind on things above' when you're dealing with real, pressing problems like financial stress or relationship issues?
4. The sermon mentioned that we often become 'practical atheists' when worried, projecting futures that don't include God's intervention. How have you experienced this in your own life?
5. Psalm 100:1 calls us to 'shout for joy to the Lord.' When was the last time you expressed genuine joy and excitement about God? What holds us back from this kind of enthusiastic worship?
6. How can thanksgiving and gratitude serve as an antidote to anxiety? What's the connection between recognizing God's goodness and gaining proper perspective on our problems?
7. The psalm says 'Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.' How might changing our approach to worship and church attendance affect our overall perspective on life's challenges?
8. Verse 5 reminds us that 'the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.' How does this truth speak to whatever season of difficulty you might be facing?

Life Application

This week, practice 'pushing your finger back' by starting each day with thanksgiving. Before you check your phone, read the news, or dive into your problems, spend 5 minutes thanking God for specific things - both big and small. When anxiety or worry begins to overwhelm you, stop and list three things you're grateful for, then ask God to help you see your situation from His perspective. Also, share your gratitude publicly on social media at least once this week to help others gain perspective too.

Key Takeaways

1. Anxiety, fear, and worry are 'stalking' our society more than ever, but we don't have to be consumed by them
2. Setting our minds on things above rather than earthly problems helps us gain proper perspective and see the 'but God' in our situations
3. Thanksgiving and worship are powerful antidotes to anxiety because they help us recognize God's presence and goodness
4. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, deeply loved by God, and His love endures forever even when our circumstances are difficult
5. Practical gratitude - recognizing where God is moving in small, everyday moments - can transform our perspective and mental health

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for this reminder that You are bigger than our problems and that Your love endures forever. Help us this week to be people who recognize Your goodness in both big and small ways. When anxiety tries to stalk us, remind us to push our problems back into the context of Your faithfulness. Teach us to enter Your presence with thanksgiving and to worship You with genuine joy. May our gratitude be contagious and help others see You more clearly. Give us courage to share our thankfulness publicly and to be witnesses of Your goodness in a world that desperately needs hope. We trust that You are good, that You love us deeply, and that Your faithfulness continues through all generations. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.