Series:
I Need Help Getting The Monkey Off My BackPart 1 -
Dealing With The Monkey Of Strong EmotionsINTRO:
Have you ever had a problem dealing with something in life that seemed to have control over you? Well I am going to deal with some things that are kind of like a "monkey on your back" kind of thing.In 1860s, the term reappears again. This time it refers to a person who is carrying rage, anger and resentment, which is like an animal agitating their minds everyday. The images of the time support this with men and women shown with a fierce creature causing bewilderment, mental agitation, even madness. In the 1930s, the use became popular in narcotic jargon. A person with a monkey on his back is thought to be obsessive, addicted and even paranoid. It is definitely a sign of a bad habit like taking drugs. It became the perfect symbol for alcoholism and drug abuse. From there it became increasingly a means to describe a person who was focused in a negative preoccupation or absorption into some activity or goal. Anything that is nefarious or obsessive can be termed, having a monkey on one's back. Those who are determined in purpose and convicted are called passionate and focused but not bewildered by a bad presence sitting on one's back. This is very far removed from the older Kemetic form of a benign ape sharing wisdoms, deciphering sacred code and guiding the construction of papyrus.
So, today when we hear the term, they have a monkey on their back, they are having a terrible time dealing with an issue, habit, or even a sin in their lives. I want to start a series dealing with some of these things people face in life.
I intend to look at three main areas of our lives during this series. Today's message will be somewhat shorter (I hope) due to the things going on in this service and the meal afterwards. Today I want to begin looking at the Monkey of Strong Emotions.
Hebrews 12:1-3 will be our theme scripture during this series:
Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Strong emotions are an important part of our life. Many people handle them or approach them in totally different ways. Some channel them towards productive living. Others dump them all over other people. Some bury them and let them grow slowly until they are often accidentally exposed. So how do you handle the monkey of strong emotions on your back?
We need to understand that God gave us a certain make up in life - emotions are from Him. However, He does not intend for them to rule or ruin our lives. FDR, in his first Inaugural Address said, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." I know he was dealing with the economy, but he was acknowledging that fear is a strong emotion that can get the best of us.
Let's get started into the message this morning…
So, we can see from God's Word that…
It is not with fear we should face life, but with confidence in God
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
He will go with us
He will not fail us
He will not forsake us
We can also see that…
He expects us to face life with a certain amount of courageousness
2 Chronicles 19:11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.
2 Chronicles 32:7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
Yet we often make excuses because the monkey is on our backs, yet we see Caleb in Joshua 14:11-12 Where is as an 85-year-old has been given an inheritance. That inheritance is some land. Great you say, yet the land has some previous (and I might say) and settled occupants. Yet, He did not let that dismay him. He got the monkey off his back.
We can see many have a great fear of failure. The monkey is on their backs. Did you know more people fear public speaking than dying? Why is that? I think it has to do with fear of failure. When it comes to fear, God is not silent.
I want you to know…
God does not accept flimsy excuses about our age
Joshua 14:11 - 12 11As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
12
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
God expects us to stay strong - even in old age
Physically - He stayed busy
Emotionally - He found reasons to be happy/useful
Spiritually - He stayed close to God (spake)
1 Samuel 17:32 - 33 32And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
33
And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
God expects us to be strong even in our youth
Our youth can be an encouragement
Our youth can win the battles God fights with them
God wins battles against impossible odd - DO NOT FEAR!
God expects a valiant effort in life
So let go of the fear
See a reason to try
Seek His help and blessings
Savor the strength and victory He affords
It is easy to see how some can have a great fear of failure. The monkey is on their backs. I want you to know…
God does not accept feeble reservations about our trust in Him
Daniel 3:16 - 17 16Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17
If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.18
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.We should not hesitate to answer
Our total trust should be in Him
He will do what is right
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Promised perils should not prevent our enduring prayerful recognition of His greatness and our dependence upon Him
He is in control
He cares for us
He takes care of us
Psalms 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Yet, I know the Bible teaches…
We should certainly fear God (respect/honor)
He is great
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
He can be our greatness
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
He will judge all
Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
We can be safe - if we place our trust in Him
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
I want to share with you about the difference in fear and trust can accomplish in our lives, let us read one more scripture - it is the story of Christ and Peter walking on the water.
Matthew 14:22 - 33 22And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.24
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.25
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.26
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.27
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.28
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.29
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.30
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.31
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?32
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.33
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
So, let us remember…
Fear does not have to be a monkey on our backs
It carries us the wrong direction
It cripples our faith
It compounds our doubt as well as others
And we must understand…
It curtails our ability to serve Him
And, when we let the Lord help us with our fears, it…
Brings us to safety - vs. 32
Brings us to submissive obedience
Here was some of the Lord's advice to others…
Jesus told Peter in Luke 5…Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Jesus told the ruler who daughter had died in Luke 8 … Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Jesus told the multitude in Luke 12… Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. AND ALSO… Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Jesus wants in our lives a trust in Him. And He wants to give us a gift if we will accept it - eternal life with the Lord
.Get the monkey of fear off your back and trust the Lord. FEAR NOT! AMEN
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 100707am