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Fill your Emotional Tank
Anxiety and Depression• 4/25/21 • John Opalewski
Key passage: Matthew 11:28-30
Why this subject?
God hasn’t called you to run a sprint he called you to run a marathon
Filling your emotional tank sets you up for a long race
1 in 4 young adults 18-24 contemplated suicide.
28% of US adults suffering with depression.
Proverbs 19:8 - he who gets wisdom loves his own soul.
We have a responsibility to tend to our own soul/emotional well-being.
Matthew 11:28-30
...I will give you rest...
We can’t give what we don’t have
you can’t run if you don’t have fuel
We are emotional beings
Our emotions need attention
We have three emotional indicators
Our Pace (Schedule)
Your value to God has nothing to do with how busy you are...
Both laziness and workaholism will run you into a ditch
Work hard and know when to take your foot off the gas.
Our People (Friendships)
Solitude is only good in small doses
Solitude leads to isolation and isolation leads to a multitude of negative results including depression.
There is no pill for loneliness.
Make room for replenishing relationships in your life!
Our Plan (Emotional Maintenance Plan)
1. Laughter - why are Christians always so serious? Lighten up!
Proverbs 17:22 - a cheerful heart is good medicine.
2. Exercise
1 Timothy 4:8 - we interpret this as “physical training is of no value” when it says “of some value”
3. Distraction
You need something that lets you pivot and catch your breath.
Even our perfect God rested between the days of creation and afterwards!
Find a hobby!
4. Sleep
Sleep is not a disposable commodity.
Sleep deprived Christians can’t run the race God has called them to run.
Mark 6:30-32
“Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest”
Next time you read the gospels take notice of how many times Jesus got away to rest.
If your tank is full
Thank God everyday!
Educate yourself so you can stay well
Educate yourself so you can understand those who are struggling.
If your tank is running on empty
There is hope for you.
Anxiety and depression are not the last chapter in your story
Make an appointment with your doctor
Make an appointment with a Christian counselor