Become Your Own Best Friend
Anxiety and Depression• 3/14/21 • John Opalewski
Key passage: Matthew 22:36-39
1 in 4 adults 18-24 contemplated suicide during the pandemic.
A 300% increase
28% of Americans are suffering from symptoms of depression during the pandemic.
Followers of Jesus aren’t immune.
Our capacity to love others is directly related to the degree we love ourselves.
Matthew 22:36-39
How do we love ourselves without becoming self-centered narcissists?
Healthy self-talk
Be kind with the words you say about yourself.
If we talked to our friends the same way we talk to ourselves, we would quickly wind up with a long list of enemies.
Self-care vs Self-centeredness
Acts 20:28 - attend to the flock AND yourselves.
Philippians 2:4 - not just yourself, not just others. both/and
Embrace God’s opinion of you
Psalm 139:1-3 - God knows everything about you.
Psalm 139:13-14 - you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:17-18 - his thoughts and cares for you are vast and uncountable.
You are worth loving without strings attached. You are worthy of His thoughts.
Get in touch with your soul
Proverbs 19:8 - he who gets wisdom loves his own soul.
60 million people in the United States suffer from depression
350 million worldwide (pre-Covid)
Why does depression happen to someone who loves the Lord?
Event- driven
loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job
Incremental
Small things that compound and build up
Doesn’t respond to strong-will
You can’t work your way out of it by sheer force of will.
A black hole of sadness
Matthew 26:38
Hits when least expected
It can happen even when life is going great.
It can happen even when we are close to the Lord.
It can happen to anyone, even people who love God.
King David, Jeremiah, and Elijah...
Our capacity to love others is directly related to the degree we love ourselves.
3 Choices
Tell your anger where to go.
Protect yourself from abuse.
Refuel emotionally. Fill your emotional tank.
I’m not struggling with this
Be thankful!
take care of yourself
It is easier to prevent depression and anxiety than it is to cure it.
I am struggling
Know that it’s not a life sentence.
Call your doctor
Find a competent counselor/therapist