The Anxiety Loop | Koinonia Church | Pastor Roger Watson

The Anxiety Loop (PNG)

The key to overcoming the Anxiety Loop is choosing what you will focus on:

• Your environmental circumstances leading to fear and anxiety.

• Your faith in God and His word leading to peace and protection.

Exodus 13:20-22 After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Exodus 14:5-8 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, ‘What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!’ So, he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. The Egyptians – all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen, and troops – pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea…

The Environment Demands an Emotional Reaction!

Exodus 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.

Emotions Alter Perceptions!

Exodus 14:11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?”

Perceptions Mold Beliefs

• We are going to die out here in this desert.
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Beliefs Influence Actions

• They blame Moses for their situation.

Exodus 14:12a Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians.

Actions justify or solidify emotions which alter perceptions!

Exodus 14:12b It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!

Will you focus on the Environment or on God?

Exodus 14:13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…”

Exodus 14:29-31 But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Three days later they are grumbling because they have no water.

Exodus 15:22-24 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. So, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”

Stay Focused on God.

Exodus 15:2 He said, If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.

One month later they grumble because they have no food. (Exodus 16:2-3)

Complaining because they are thirsty again. (Exodus 17:3)

Came to Mt. Sinai for the 10 Commandments

First two commandments:

• You shall have no other gods before me.
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• You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth… and you shall not bow down to them or worship them.
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Moses returns to the mountain for 40 days (Exodus 24:8)

The people ask Aaron to make them a god (Exodus 32:1)

God brings them to the edge of the promised land and sends 12 spies to investigate (Numbers 13).

• Joshua and Caleb believe God’s promises and encourage possession.

• 10 give a negative report

Blame Moses and make plans to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:4)

God makes them wander for 40 years until all adults have died except
Joshua and Caleb.