Psalm 42:1-6

The Gospel & Mental Health

1.Where did I lose my courage?

Has anything happened that affected the confidence I have in God, myself or others?

2.Why is my heart so sad?

Negative emotions...

Anxiety is not a sign that you don’t trust God. Sadness doesn’t mean you are weak. Grief doesn’t mean you aren’t believing God for the future. Depression doesn’t mean God has given up on you.

Postive emotions...

Being happy doesn’t mean you love the world too much. A sense of accomplishment over a job well done isn’t pride. An extended sense of joy doesn’t mean you don’t care about others.

Two things I want us to see here…

1.Without emotional self-awareness we never get the right answer to this question.

2.Unprocessed emotions produce unchecked behaviors.

“What do I do when I am stressed, sad, lonely, angry, overwhelmed or emotionally activated?”

3.In who or what have I placed my hope?

“For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” -Hebrews 6:13-20

4.How is my worship?

Few things about worship…

a) Worship is an expression of spiritual warfare b) Worship is where we subject our emotions to the Truth c) Worship changes our posture

5.What have I forgotten?

Incommunicable attributes of God...

Infinite- God has no limits whatsoever in His person or dominion

Self-existent- God depends on nothing for His existence beyond Himself. The whole basis of His existence is within Himself. At one time nothing but God Himself existed. He added nothing to Himself by creation.

Self-sufficient- within Himself, God is able to act, that is, to bring about His will without any assistance. Although he may choose to use assistance, it is His good pleasure, not His need that governs that choice.

Immutable- God is always the same in His nature, His character, and His will. He never changes, and He can never be made to change.

Omniscient- God knows all. He has perfect knowledge of everything that is past, present and future.

Omniscient- God knows all. He has perfect knowledge of everything that is past, present and future.

Omnipresent- God is present everywhere, in all the universe, at all times, in the totality of His character.

Sovereign- God is totally, supremely, and preeminently over all His creation. There is not a person or thing that has escaped His control and foreknown plan.

Transcendent- God is above His creation, and He would exist if there were no creation. His existence is totally apart from His creatures or creation.

You Are a Theologian by Jen Wilkin & J.T. English, pg. 54-56

Mental worship…

What experiences have most influenced your willingness to be courageous?

What is the hardest emotion for you to feel right now? Easiest?

When you turn from God where do you place your hope?

Would people describe you as someone who enjoys God? Would you?

What would be helpful for you to remember today?