Things We Wish Jesus Never Said | Week 4 | Pastor Mike Stephens

Things We Wish Jesus Never Said: Conquering Worry with Faith | Week 4 by Pastor Mike Stephens

Welcome to an insightful reflection inspired by Pastor Mike Stephens from Generation Church FL in Jupiter, Florida. This article dives deep into the challenging yet life-changing message from Week 4 of the series “Things We Wish Jesus Never Said.” Pastor Mike unpacks the powerful teaching of Jesus about worry, anxiety, and how we can live free from the burdens that consume so many of us daily.

Nearly everyone struggles with worry, regardless of age or background. In this message, Pastor Mike not only addresses why worry is harmful and unnecessary but also offers practical steps grounded in Scripture to help us overcome anxiety and live with peace and purpose. Join me as we explore this transformative teaching and discover how to lighten our lives’ burdens by trusting God fully.

The Reality of Jesus’ Challenging Words

Often, we imagine Jesus preaching comforting, easy-to-follow messages that everyone accepted with joy. But the truth is quite different. Pastor Mike reminds us that Jesus’ words were often uncomfortable, even confronting, for the culture, religious leaders like the Pharisees, and for those who chose to follow Him. Jesus called people to surrender their lives fully, to live counterculturally, and to embrace a path that didn’t always win popularity contests.

Throughout the series, Pastor Ben has unpacked the difficult teachings of Jesus:

• Week 1: The power of the tongue and the pain caused by gossip, emphasizing accountability for every word we speak.
• Week 2: The story of the rich young ruler and the call to give sacrificially, challenging us to identify what “one thing” we must surrender.
• Week 3: The narrow gate that leads to life, highlighting how following Jesus often means swimming upstream and standing apart from worldly values.

Now, in Week 4, Pastor Mike tackles one of the most universal struggles: worry.

Why Jesus Commands Us: Do Not Worry

When Jesus said, “Do not worry,” many of us might have felt the exact opposite, worrying even more! Pastor Mike jokes that some people could lead small groups on worry and even write curricula on it, highlighting how pervasive anxiety is.

He defines worry as “an anxious way of thinking, often focused on potential future events.” Worry is essentially anxiety about what might happen, and it’s a heavy burden that affects our health, relationships, and spiritual well-being.

Interestingly, Jesus’ command aligns with other biblical instructions:

• Paul says in Philippians, “Don’t be anxious.”
• Joshua commands, “Do not be afraid.”

Yet despite these clear teachings, worry remains a widespread problem. Why?

The Worry Epidemic: Why We Worry More Than Ever

Statistics reveal a staggering picture:

• $300 billion is spent annually on stress-related healthcare in the U.S.
• 77% of people experience physical symptoms due to stress.
• 33% report living with extreme stress.
• 76% attribute their stress primarily to money and work.
• 54% say stress causes conflicts with loved ones.

Paradoxically, as technology, wealth, and medical advances have progressed, anxiety and worry have increased. Pastor Mike points out how people often romanticize “simpler times” when phones were on cords and life seemed less complicated. However, even 100 years ago, life was fraught with dangers we have largely overcome today, like high maternal mortality rates and deadly flu outbreaks.

Despite greater comfort and safety, worry persists and even grows. This reveals that worry is not solved by external improvements, money, technology, or convenience can’t eliminate the anxious thoughts that plague us.

What We Can Learn from an Old Car

Pastor Mike shares a personal story about his 2012 Prius, an unflashy car with “no bells and whistles.” Despite its imperfections, dings, scratches, and mysterious paint stains, he doesn’t worry about it like he would a more expensive vehicle. He notes how when people rent cars with full insurance, they tend to drive more recklessly, knowing they’re not responsible for damages.

This analogy illustrates a profound truth: the more “stuff” or control we think we have, the more we tend to worry. The more bells and whistles we add to our lives, the more anxious we become about protecting and maintaining them.

Worry is often tied to our desire to control outcomes that only God can truly handle.

Jesus’ Remedy for Worry: Trust God’s Provision

Pastor Mike turns to the Sermon on the Mount, specifically Matthew 6:25-34, where Jesus instructs us not to worry about our life, what we will eat, drink, or wear. He reminds us that our life is more valuable than these necessities, and God, who cares for the birds and flowers, will surely care for us.

This passage invites us to shift our focus from anxiety about daily needs to faith in God’s faithful provision. Pastor Mike encourages note-taking during this teaching because these truths can truly change how we live.

Worrying is Worthless

First, worrying is worthless. It doesn’t solve problems; in fact, it often makes them feel bigger in our minds. Pastor Mike shares a relatable example of waiting in line for a roller coaster, where the longer you wait watching people scream and lose belongings, the more you second-guess your decision to ride.

He cites a Penn State study showing that 91% of what we worry about never actually happens; these are “false alarms.” Worrying about things we cannot change is pointless, and worrying about things we can change wastes precious time and energy. The solution? Change what you can, and release what you cannot.

Letting Go of What We Cannot Control

Pastor Mike humorously describes the heavy suitcase he carries when traveling on mission trips, likening it to how we carry burdens in life. Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 to “Come to me, all who are weary… and I will give you rest” speaks directly to this heaviness.

When we unpack our life’s “suitcase,” we often find unnecessary weight worries, fears, and stresses that we can address through discipline and faith. By lightening our load, we can better trust God with the things beyond our control.

Practical Steps to Reduce Worry

Pastor Mike offers candid, relatable examples from his own life as he navigates worry and responsibility:

1. Discipline to Reduce Worry

Getting his three boys to school on time can feel overwhelming. But by taking ten minutes the night before to prepare clothes and lunches, he reduces the morning chaos and worry. Preparation and discipline lighten the mental load.

2. Financial Responsibility

Money is a common source of stress. Pastor Mike has tithed since he was 17, finding that being intentional with his finances brings peace and blessing. When unexpected financial challenges arose, he took practical steps, like driving for DoorDash in the evenings, to meet needs instead of worrying.

He encourages evaluating spending habits, such as multiple car payments or frequent dining out, and adjusting lifestyle choices to reduce financial anxiety.

3. Simplifying Schedules

Busy schedules with sports, camps, and extracurriculars can weigh down families. Pastor Mike reminds parents that it’s okay for children not to do everything. Instead of rushing from activity to activity, spending quality time at home, like sharing meals and conversations, can have a greater positive impact.

He shares eye-opening statistics about the low probability of children becoming professional athletes and points out the eternal significance of nurturing spiritual growth.

The Biblical Truth About Worry

Worry Was Not Created in You

Jesus invites us to consider the birds of the air and the flowers of the field, how God provides for them without worry. The implication is clear: worry is not part of God’s original design for humanity. It entered the world through sin, broken trust, and rebellion against God, as seen in the Garden of Eden.

Therefore, worry is a learned behaviour, not innate. Recognising this helps us understand that we can unlearn worry by realigning our trust with God.

The Impact of Modern Life on Anxiety

Studies reveal that over 90% of Gen Z adults experience stress symptoms linked to social media, career pressures, and identity struggles. Moreover, many people feel anxious when separated from their phones, highlighting how modern communication can fuel worry.

Pastor Mike explains that increasing technology and communication can isolate us and tempt us to control what only God can handle, increasing our anxiety.

How to Overcome Worry: Seek God First

Jesus’ solution to worry is to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When we prioritise God’s will and trust Him, all our needs will be provided.

Pastor Mike encourages a daily surrender, viewing everything in life not as ours to control but as a loan from God. This mindset shift removes the weight of ownership and promotes peace, purpose, and provision.

Replace Worry with Worship

Worship here means spending time in prayer and conversation with God, more than talking to ourselves in anxious thoughts. Scientific studies, including one from Harvard School of Public Health, show that regular prayer and church involvement correlate with lower anxiety and stress.

Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7 remind us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving, and His peace will guard our hearts and minds beyond all understanding.

Pastor Mike recommends a practical technique called “Write It Down, Lay It Down,” where you list your worries, pray over each, and then symbolically release them by destroying the list.

Pause the Panic and Count Your Blessings

Worry steals from today’s joy. By intentionally focusing on gratitude even in difficult circumstances, we shift our perspective from problems to our Provider.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages us to “give thanks in all circumstances,” not ignoring pain but acknowledging God’s presence amid trials.

Pastor Mike shares a moving story about his son Max, who was anxious about safety but found peace when understanding his father’s role as protector and provider. Similarly, God wants us to rest in His care and trust Him with our tomorrows.

Living Free from Worry: Your One Job

Pastor Mike concludes by reassuring that worry is not our job. Our Heavenly Father is our protector and provider, and our one job is simply to be His child.

God’s command not to worry is not naivety but an invitation to surrender our burdens and trust Him fully. Tomorrow’s troubles belong to Him, and He holds our future in His hands.

Final Encouragement and Prayer

For those who have never surrendered their life to Jesus or who feel weighed down by life’s burdens, Pastor Mike offers an invitation to say “yes” to Jesus today, receiving new life and peace.

The article closes with a heartfelt prayer asking God to help us put on new lenses, God’s lenses to see clearly, change what we can, release what we cannot, and walk lighter in faith.

May this message inspire you to release worry, embrace faith, and live with the peace that surpasses all understanding.