Mental Illness and the Christian

Main Thought

“Mental illness” is one of the most misunderstood struggles we’ll face, even as Christians. It’s very important that we understand the nature of the battle, how to help one another, and how we can overcome. Christians need to understand that the battle for our mental health and wellness is fought on three fronts. Those three fronts are the mental, the physical, and the spiritual. Godly and gentle help can help us figure out which front (or fronts) needs care. Furthermore, we can all expect to struggle with one of three big issues to some extent: anxiety, depression, or control (OCD). Our responses to these things can help or hurt one another. Finally, we must use God-given strategies to overcome. Knowing the truth, believing the truth, and speaking the truth can help us live with mental wellness.

Main Passages

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct. 6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 

- Galatians 6:1-7

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

- Philippians 4:6-8

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out to you from Pastor Bret Holman’s sermon, or from the Main Thought above?

2. Pastor Bret shared the following three terms and definitions. Which, if any, do you struggle with most and why?

   1. Anxiety: divided with distracting worries and outcomes.

   2. Depression: weighed down with anxiety and discouragement.

   3. Control (OCD): grabbing for control due to anxiety and fear.

3. Did you see something in one of the Main Passages, or hear something from the sermon, that can help you practically? If so, what?

Fixing Frustration

Main Thought

Frustration is an unavoidable part of life. We will find ourselves frustrated often, because there will always be cause for frustration in the world we live in. Our frustration can even reach a breaking point. It can affect us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But God invites us to “pour our souls out” to Him! Praying honest prayers can help us pour our souls out to God one-on-one. Journaling helps too. Then, we can put our faith in God by moving in the direction He’s called us. We will eventually find God’s favor if we continue to follow Him even when we’re frustrated. God’s favor can be found in us; for us; and through us, as we see our perseverance make a difference in the lives of others.

Main Passages

10 She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.

- 1 Samuel 1:10

15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.”

- 1 Samuel 1:15-16

17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

- 1 Samuel 1:17-18

Discussion Questions

1. We can respond to frustration - and other difficult emotions - improperly when we attempt to A) deny it; B) distort it (which can include mislabeling our negative emotions); or C) disengage from it with distractions.

   1. Do you have a tendency to do any of these three things? Which one and why?

2. Do you think it’s important to “pour our souls out to God” one-on-one? Why or why not?

3. What can you do practically to either pour your soul out to God, or put your faith in Him and move forward?

Living in the Balance

Main Thought

A lot of us go through life with “a full plate.” We’ve got lots of responsibilities and things to do. But what happens when you have a full plate and lose your balance? Things get messy! God wants us to live our lives with balance. This starts when we put Jesus first. Then, we need to be intentional about making space for ourselves and for others. These first three things can already take significant energy, which is why it’s important to “stay full.” We need to partake of habits, activities, and resources that fill our tanks and prepare us for life’s challenges. We can’t assume everything will go well; therefore, it’s wise to make room for disruptions. To live with margin. These principles are a great start - but it’s impossible to prepare for everything. This brings us back to following the lead of Jesus Christ.

Main Passages

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

- Matthew 22:34-40

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. 

- Philippians 4:8-9 

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

- Ephesians 4:1-3

Discussion Questions

1. Do you feel like your life is balanced? Why or why not?

2. Balance begins with intentionally making room for God, for ourselves, and for others. Which of these things is easiest for you? Which is the hardest for you?

3. Think about the Main Thought and Passages above. What can you do to regain (or gain even more) balance this week?

The Yoke’s on You - Rest for your Soul

Main Thought

The Pelicano was a freighter (a ship) loaded with 28 million pounds of toxic ash. It went from port-to-port, but only to refuel. No country would allow it to unload its toxic ash. This can be a picture of Christians. We’re “refueled” with things like church, Life Group, worship music and podcasts. But we might not stop long enough to empty our souls of toxicity we accumulate simply by living in this world. How do we get rid of these burdens? Through rest. Jesus teaches us to rest. This starts as we accept His invitation to rest without fear, excuses, or pride that comes from busyness. Choosing to rest is a matter of submission to God that can reveal how much we trust Him. Jesus wants to transform us into His image. He teaches us to live from a posture of gentleness and humility like Him. Our souls find rest when these things happen in our lives; rest from the chaos around us, and from the chaos inside us.

Main Passages

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

- Proverbs 4:23

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

- Matthew 11:28-30

Discussion Questions

1. The word “labor” can refer to the burdens we put on ourselves, and the phrase “heavy laden” can refer to the burdens placed upon us by other people or by the world. Do either of these things (or both of them) apply to you in this season?

2. What makes rest effective vs. ineffective? How can God be involved in finding effective rest?

3. Rest looks different for us as the seasons of our lives change. What does “rest” look like for you? What practical adjustments need to be made for you to find rest?