Introduction

1. Jesus did not die on cross so that Christians would have a defeatist, neg. attitude toward life! - Jno. 16:33; Phil. 4:13; Rom. 8:37; 1 Jno. 5:4.

2 For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it. (These are realistic answers!)

· You say: "It's impossible"

· God says: All things are possible - Luke 18:27

-- To be saved (Lk. 18:24-25)

-- To resist temptations & live godly (1 Pet. 5:8-9)

-- To go to heaven (2 Tim. 4:7-8)

· You say: "I'm too tired"

· God says: I will give you rest - Matthew 11:28-30

-- To worship (cf. Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:24-25)

-- To teach a class (Acts 18:3-4)

-- To work for the Lord (Jno. 9:4)

· You say: "Nobody really loves me"

· God says: I love you - John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; John 13:34

-- Are you loving others? (Jno. 13:35; 1 Cor. 13)

· You say: "I can't go on"

· God says: My grace is sufficient - 2 Corinthians 12:9

-- Facing an illness / disease / disability

-- Financially (Matt. 6:24-25, 33-34; 2 Cor. 9:6-10)

· You say: "I can't figure things out"

· God says: I will direct your steps - Proverbs 3:5-6

-- You were never told you had to "figure everything out!" - Deut. 29:29

-- Have faith in Christ & obey His word of truth - Lk. 6:46

· You say: "I can't do it"

· God says: You can do all things - Philippians 4:13

-- What is it your can’t do??!!

-- Be strong in the Lord - Eph. 6:10

· You say: "I'm not able"

· God says: I am able - 2 Corinthians 9:8

-- To save myself (Jer. 10:23)

· You say: "It's not worth it "

· God says: It will all be worth it - Roman 8:28

-- Fearing God is worth it (Matt. 11:28; Heb. 10:31)

-- Obeying God is worth it (Heb. 5:8-9)

-- Loving even our enemies is worth it (Matt. 5:44-47)

· You say: "I can't forgive myself"

· God says: I forgive you - Acts 2:37-38; 8:22-24; I John 1:9

-- If God can & will, why won’t you? - 1 Tim. 1:12-16

· You say: "I can't manage"

· God says: I will supply all your needs - Philippians 4:19

-- You don’t have to "manage" everything! (Matt. 6:34; Jas. 4:13-15)

· You say: "I'm afraid"

· God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear - 2 Timothy 1:7

-- Do not be afraid of sin (Heb. 10:16-17)

-- Do not be afraid of death (Heb. 2:14-15)

· You say: "I'm worried and frustrated"

· God says: Cast all your cares on Me - 1 Peter 5:7

-- Worry will not change anything (Matt. 6:27)

-- Worry reveals a weakness of faith (Matt. 6:30)

· You say: "I don't have enough faith"

· God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith - Romans 12:3

-- By the word of truth (Rom. 10:17)

-- Our faith is overcomes the world! - 1 Jno. 5:4

· You say: "I'm not smart enough"

· God says: I give you wisdom - 1 Corinthians 1:30

-- Being "smart" is often defined by society & self (1 Cor. 1:26-27)

-- In Christ we have all wisdom & knowledge (Col. 2:3).

· You say: "I feel all alone" (in this world of sin & error)

· God says: I will never leave you or forsake you - Hebrews 13:5-6

-- In the face of rejection / persecution (Matt. 5:10-12)

-- In the face of teaching the gospel to the lost (Matt. 28:18-20)

-- In the face of false brethren & false teachers (Gal. 2:4-5; Jude 3)

Conclusion

Jer. 32:27, 17 - Nothing is too hard for God!