Resetting Our Emotional Wellbeing

Reset: A Journey Towards Wholeness

Resetting Our Emotional Wellbeing

1 Kings 19

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” (3 John 2, ESV)

Anatomy Of A Burnout

1. Elijah was Totally Exhausted
2. He had Unrealistic expectations (2-3a)

3. He engaged in Comparison with others (4, 14)

4. He was Isolated and felt Alone(14)

5. He lost Hope and Perspective (4)

How God Dealt With Elijah

1. God renewed him Physically (5-8)

2. God allowed him to release Emotionally (9-10)

3. God refreshed him Spiritually (11-14)

4. God gave him a renewed Purpose and Direction (15-16)

5. God refocused him Mentally (17-18)

6. God gave him a Friend (19-21)

Notice:  The situation was exactly the same, but everything was different.  Why?  Because Elijah was different!

How To Manage My Emotions

1. Name It

“My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.” (Psalm 55:4–5, ESV)

• What am I feeling right now?
• What are my triggers? What triggered this?
• What is the thinking behind this?

I can’t Tame it if I can’t Name it

2. Examine It

“Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.” (Psalm 26:2, ESV)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (Psalm 139:23, ESV)

• What’s the real reason I’m feeling this?
• Is it true?
• Is what I am feeling helping me or hurting me?

Tips:

• Some find it very helpful to write out their thoughts and feelings
• You might need a trusted friend or counselor to help you unpack your thoughts and emotions

3. If Needed, Transform It

• Take It to the Lord (Book of Psalms)

“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.” (Philippians 4:6–7, ESV)

• Replace It

“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24, ESV)  

• Channel It

“Be angry and do not sin;” (Ephesians 4:26, ESV)

• Day by day, ask God to fill me with His Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV)

Self-control comes from God-control

• Continually fill my mind with God’s Word

Our actions and our emotions flow from our beliefs

• Harness the power of Music

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,” (Acts 16:25, ESV)

I cannot separate following Christ from managing my emotions. 

Questions for Reflection:

• Am I aware of my emotions? Can I identify them in my day-to-day life?

• What emotion is the most challenging for me to manage right now?

• With God’s help, what strategies will I implement to help better manage this emotion?

Reminder: The Bookends of the Christian Life

1. The Righteousness of Christ
2. The Power of the Holy Spirit

Making It Personal:

• How have you responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Have you personally turned from your sin, trusted in Christ’s provision through the cross, and surrendered your life to His rule and reign?

• Prayerfully review the material above regarding resetting your emotional well-being. What is the Holy Spirit impressing upon you as you review and reflect?

• What specific tangible steps can you take to begin resetting your emotional well-being through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit?

• Who can you share these truths with?

Ready to take your Next Step?

• See one of the pastors after the service today
• Fill out a Connect Card and drop it in the offering box
• Text Next to 803-637-8484
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps”