Managing My Emotional Health- Next Steps

Message Summary

You will be the happiest and most fulfilled in life when you learn how to embrace both calendar time and your season of life (experienced time). Personal seasons are based less on chronological age, but are more identified by significant experiences. You can manage your emotional health in the context of these seasons by first, getting connected to God. Pause, and hear from God through His word and Spirit. Second, invest in life-giving relationships, spend the time and make the effort to engage with others. Take time for recreation, doing healthy things that make you happy. And then, don’t neglect caring for your body. Exercise and eat right. Get financially healthy by spending less and saving more. Getting emotionally healthy isn’t just a onetime decision, it’s a lifestyle. And when we are emotionally healthy, we will find the most fulfillment in life.

1) What emotion have you struggled with the most lately? How does it affect your daily life?

2) How do you typically respond when experiencing a negative emotion? How would you like to respond?

Consider This

A rhythmic approach to life offers less guilt and more peace, less stress and more fulfillment. Free yourself from impossible expectations and learn to be content with your season of life.

1) What season of life are you in now? How does this affect your expectations?

2) In James, we learned, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray, ” James 5:13a. When experiencing emotional difficulty, connecting to God through prayer and reading his word provides comfort and perspective.

a. What hinders you from connecting with God?

b. What does it mean to pause before God? Explain how that helps.

3) Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. List the advantages of life-giving relationships. What do you think the triple cord refers to?

4) Solomon says there is a time for everything, including times to dance, laugh and build. How well are you at scheduling in recreation during your current life season? Can you improve upon that now?

5) Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and list some principles that help you have the right attitude toward money.

6) When it comes to anxiety over finances, God wants us to trust Him first and foremost. What about the following verses particularly impress you in your current season of life?

a. Proverbs 3:5-6

b. Proverbs 6:6-8

c. Matthew 6:25-34

d. Matthew 7:7-11

Moving Forward

Emotions are tied to our physical health and the thoughts and beliefs that roll around in our heads. To manage your emotions this week, first check your Beliefs. What do you believe about yourself, about the world around you, other people, and most importantly, what do you believe about God?

1) God is the sovereign, all-powerful creator who holds everything together. Read the following verses and describe how they apply to you and your circumstances.
a. Acts 17:24-28

b. Colossians 1:17

2) God loves you and has a plan and purpose for your life that only you can fulfill. Read the following verses this week and describe how they apply to you.
a. John 3:16, 1 John 1:9

b. Ephesians 1:3-8

c. Romans 8:28-29, 31-39

d. Philippians 3:20-21

3) “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7a). Renew your mind on the truth. Think true and good (positive) thoughts and your emotions will eventually follow.
a. Romans 12:1-2

b. Philip 4:8-9

c. John 8:31-32