Staying Focused on What Really Matters in the Midst of Worry

[38] Jesus continued from there toward Jerusalem and came to another village. Martha, a resident of that village, welcomed Jesus into her home. [39] Her sister, Mary, went and sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach.[40] Meanwhile Martha was anxious about all the hospitality arrangements. Martha (interrupting Jesus): Lord, why don’t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to get over here and help me.

[41] Jesus: Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details, [42] but really, only one thing matters. Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won’t take it away from her.

Luke 10:38-42 Voice

In this scripture, Martha’s worry and stress makes her focused on the wrong things.

She is so fixated on getting everything done and checking on her to-do list that she loses sight of what really matters – our relationships, especially our relationship with God.

When we get caught up in the stress of life, we miss out on the peace and contentment God really wants to give us. We must decide to dig deep in our hearts to find the source of our anxiety and worry so that God can relieve and heal us.

Join Russ and Nick Straw as they discuss Nick’s article, “A Bible Study on Staying Focused (for the Chronically Anxious),” and how to get focused back on what really matters.

If you’d like to email the show, send us a message at podcast@deepspirituality.com

References

• A Bible Study on Staying Focused (for the Chronically Anxious)
• Father Heart of God by Floyd McClung
• Healing for Damaged Emotions by David Seamands
• Forrest Gump
• Penny Hardaway
• Michael Jordan
• Magic Johnson
• Jackie Chan
• The Karate Kid
• Steven Seagal
• Tom Brady
• Joe Montana
• Clint Eastwood
• The Outlaw Josey Wales
• Anxiety and Depression in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide to Fostering Self-Regulation in Young Students by Nadja Reilly
• Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety: A Workbook for Overcoming Anxiety at Home, at School, and Everywhere Else by Christopher Willard
• Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety: A Complete Guide to Your Childs Stressed, Depressed, Expanded, Amazing Adolescence by John Duffy
• Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls by Lisa Damour

Scriptures referenced

1. Luke 10:38-42 Voice Jesus continued from there toward Jerusalem and came to another village. Martha, a resident of that village, welcomed Jesus into her home. [39] Her sister, Mary, went and sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach.[40] Meanwhile Martha was anxious about all the hospitality arrangements. Martha (interrupting Jesus): Lord, why don’t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to get over here and help me.[41] Jesus: Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details, [42] but really, only one thing matters. Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won’t take it away from her.
2. Proverbs 14:30 AMP A calm and peaceful and tranquil heart is life and health to the body, But passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones.
3. Philippians 4:6-9 AMP Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. [7] And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. [8] Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. [9] The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.