Built for War: Leading Yourself in Tough Times

Sermon Notes

Built for War: Leading yourself in tough times

-Around 9 yrs ago we moved to AZ. Tree fell on house. Camping indoors stinky vrbo. Mid-40’s. 5 kids. No family or close friends. It was all on me to lead & I felt it.

-Grace told me, “I’m not stressed. You’re the head of this home & it’s your responsibility” 

God created men to lead

1 Corinthians 11:3,8-9 I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God…For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

• Jesus Christ is THE AUTHORITY
• Jesus Christ works through legitimate authorities (parents, pastors, bosses) 
• Men are leaders from creation (Genesis 1-3) 

1. God made Adam first, said it was not good for Him to be Alone 
2. God made Eve as Adam’s “helper” 

• Single men – only marry a woman who will follow your leadership
• Married men – if you don’t lead your family, Satan will 

When Eve sinned first, God held Adam accountable first because he was the leader

Genesis 3:9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Romans 5:12 sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin…

Despite sin, men are still supposed to be the leaders 

Genesis 5:2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them “man [Adam in the original Hebrew].”

Men who lead battle a demonic oppression of fear 

2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

• #1 command Bible “fear not” 
• Nearby “for the Lord is with you” – Leaders need to find God when they fear 

1. Leaders live in the future & can become false prophets 
2. When the spirit of fear comes on you, you cannot let it in you
3. Fearful men become angry men 
4. Fearful men become controlling men
5. Fearful men become anxious men

??? Right now what is causing fear globally/nationally/personally? 

Anxiety or joy? You choose because you are the leader! 

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Am. Psyc. Assoc. “Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, & physical changes like increased blood pressure. People w/anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat.”

1. Acute anxiety – sudden event or entrance of a person 
2. Chronic anxiety – lower level constant drain (health issue, dying marriage)

Anxiety Signs (fear in mind = triggers anxiety in body) 

1. Spinning mind
2. Racing heart 
3. Churning gut 

As a leader, men determine if the domain of their dominion or anxious or joyful 

1. Most shared “family” emotion anxiety = stress, depression, and mental health. 
2. Men try to manage fear/anxiety – 1. Alcohol 2. Drugs 3. Porn 4. Food = comfort 
3. Burnout is caused less by the work, & more by the emotional/relational anxiety 
4. Too much emphasis placed on individual, not enough group system or “family”. 

=Anxiety like a gas leak waiting for anyone/anything spark it. YOUR HOME KID?

Anxiety Assessment

1. What triggers my anxiety and am I aware of it? If not start an anxiety journal. 
2. Am I allowing technology to bring anxiety into my home?
3. Am I allowing unhealthy people to bring anxiety into my home? 
4. Am I bringing the spirit of fear and anxiety home from work with me? 
5. How quickly can I return to joy and help those I lead to the same? 

• People were made for joy. 
• Fear/anxiety did not come until sin occurred.
• People cannot be healthy in an environment of fear/anxiety 
• Everyone has fear/anxiety = More quickly return to joy = A. Regulated B. Healthy 
• Bible – over 200X (e.g. Php. 4) “rejoice” = return to joy 

Discussion Questions

1. Who and where is God calling you to lead? 
2. What did God the Holy Spirit highlight for you in the talk?
3. What is the next step you need to take to become the man God is calling you to be? 
4. How can we pray for you?