1 Peter 5:5-11

Bringing the sermon home:

It seems that no week goes by without an article or news report noting the rising epidemic of anxiety, depression, and suicide in our culture, especially among young people. For example, yesterday morning’s email from The New York Times was titled “Talking Mental Health”. It appears that several secular influencers, such as Abigail Shrier in her new book Bad Therapy, are beginning to push back on our society’s previously unquestioned approaches to anxiety. But what is God’s answer?

In short, the antidote to anxiety is humility. This is counter-intuitive, as we instinctively believe, and are regularly instructed, that overcoming fear requires greater confidence in ourselves, but the truth is that arrogance actually fuels anxiety. The resources we need to confront the problems that we face are not found within us, or in the world around us, for they are found in God alone. Until we begin to actively seek His supernatural grace through prayer, we will never experience significant victory over our anxiety.

Another vital part of combatting anxiety is to acknowledge the presence and power of supernatural forces of evil that want us to remain riddled with fear, and the need to fight for faith together as a family of faith: “your brotherhood throughout the world”. A final weapon in this battle is to entrust ourselves to God’s wise plan for our lives as we focus on our mission to make Christ known, as aimlessness further fuels anxiousness. May God grant us victory over every anxiety!

Sermon Outline:

1. In humility, roll your burden into God’s mighty, loving hands. (vv.5-7)
2. In humility, acknowledge the power of spiritual forces of evil. (vv.8-9)
3. In humility, entrust yourself to God’s wise and gracious plan. (vv.10-11)