“A Healthy Me: Mental Health”
Sunday, January 26, 2025
As we continue our series this morning on “A Healthy Me”, we bring our focus to the subject of Mental Health. I can’t even begin to scratch the surface of this subject in one sermon, and so I encourage you to watch or re-watch one of the most popular sermon series we have done at MSTAR… Peace of Mind, in February/March of 2023 (Click HERE).
According to the National Institute of Mental Health:
- Nearly 20% of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder in 2025.
- 31% of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.
- Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health issue in the United States.
- There is a severe increase in anxiousness and even depression in children in the past four years, with most medical professionals saying it began with the COVID-19 pandemic. When children should have been developing “normally”, their coping skills were derailed by intense isolation, increased screen stimulation, and incredible stress of the “unknown”.
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious…”
Where does anxiety, stress, discouragement, depression… live?
What are we doing that isn’t helping the situation?
- Physical Health… what are two of the most important things your brain needs physically? Water and Rest.
- Over-stimulation… We have overloaded our brain with stimulation as well as we have overtaxed our ability to process… especially things we shouldn’t be processing!
- We approach our anxiousness with the wrong approach.
Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Recognize the Lord
Invite Him into Your Anxious Thoughts
Rewire Your Thought Patterns
Brain Science – neural pathways… the “baby brain”, is underdeveloped and nothing is connected… very few thought patterns. But as your brain matures, it becomes more efficient, it gets to the point where you don’t always have to figure something out, it follows the patterns or pathways, it has made many times before.
Embrace the Help of Community
Philippians 4:10, 14 (NIV)
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. … It was good of you to share in my troubles.