The Problem with Problems

Recently, I misplaced a small paperback book. 

After I realized it was missing, I looked everywhere that I knew to find it; however, after a prolonged search, it was still missing. 

My wife kept telling me that it must be somewhere in the bookcase, so I decided to reorganized it. 

I finally found my paperback book wadded up beneath a stack of heavy hardback books on a lower shelf.

After I picked it up, I attempted to straighten out its pages, but they were still wrinkled. 

As I thought about what to do, I decided to put it BACK under a book stack, but this time my paperback book was placed in the RIGHT position. 

Now, the weight was being used to flatten out its pages instead. 

The same weight that was once destroying the paperback book was now being used to repair it. What made the difference? It was book’s position (wadded verses flat) under the stack.

Did you know that your thoughts could become wadded under your problems? 

If this happens to you, your problems are not the REAL problem, but your thoughts about them are. 

Thoughts become wadded and twisted when we use them to do what they were not designed to do. 

They were designed to solve problems instead of becoming wadded and entangled under them. 

If you find yourself thinking upon problems instead of solutions, you are thinking irrationally. 

The best way to solve our problems is to change our thoughts about them. 

You know that you are thinking rationally when you determine how your problems are working out for your favor.

You can straighten out your thoughts by maintaining an attitude of joy. 

When we keep our joy during difficult circumstances, it rewrites and straightens out that wadded and entangled mindset. 

Remember to keep those thoughts straight and to have a joyful mindset!

Thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. 

Paul, the Apostle. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (MSG)

M. H. Dennis

Depression, the common cold of the Human Heart

Depression is a mood disorder. It doesn't allow you to feel joy anymore.  

One out of seven people are on medication today for depression.  

One out of five people have been on medication in the past for depression.  

Depression is the common cold of emotional illness.  

There is a stigma on depression and mental illness.  

With colds, it's not that way.  

It's not a sin to be sick. Your illness is not your identity.  

It's okay not to be okay. 

God's strategy to cure all of our physical and emotional ills is to be connected with Him and other people. 

The social media removes us from society.  

It is a lie of the devil.  

It actually isn't social.  Depression is a disease of the lifestyle. 

It causes a...

1. Lack of identity.

2. Inability to process emotional pain.

3. Peer to peer mentoring. 

4. Produces a narcissistic culture. 

Suicide is a permanent irreversible

attempt to end the pain of a temporary problem.  

The only sin that's unforgivable is rejecting the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ. 

Feelings and emotions come like waves.  

In chaotic moments, we must not listen to our emotions. 
  

Here is the National Suicide Prevention Life Line for the U.S.A. 1-800-273-8255.

In the Bible there is a book named Lamentations, which means depression. 

Here is something that the Prophet Jeremiah wrote in that book.  

Lamentations 3:17-20 (NIRV)

17 I have lost all hope of ever having any peace.

    I’ve forgotten what good times are like.

18 So I say, “My glory has faded away.
    My hope in the Lord is gone.”

19 I remember how I suffered and wandered.

    I remember how bitter my life was.

20 I remember it very well.

    My spirit is very sad deep down inside me. 

Depression is thinking too much about our problems.  

When you're depressed, you are the worse one to listen too. 

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul fought with depression...  

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NIRV)

8 Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the hard times we had in Asia Minor. 

We were having a lot of trouble. 

It was far more than we could stand. We even thought we were going to die.  

In the Old Testament, the Prophet Elijah fought off bouts of depression.  

Depression sometimes comes after great feats of victory.  

In I Kings 18, God through Elijah had defeated 450 prophets of Baal in a contest. 

Afterwards, Elijah had a suicidal bout with depression when Queen Jezebel threatened his life. 

1 Kings 19:1-4 (NIRV)

19 Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done. 

He told her how Elijah had killed all the prophets of Baal with his sword. 

2 So Jezebel sent a message to Elijah. 

She said, “You can be sure that I will kill you, just as I killed the other prophets. 

I’ll do it by this time tomorrow. 

If I don’t, may the gods punish me greatly.”

3 Elijah was afraid. 

So he ran for his life. 

He came to Beersheba in Judah. 

He left his servant there (Elijah left his support group behind). 

4 Then he traveled for one day into the desert. 

He came to a small bush. He sat down under it. 

He prayed that he would die. “Lord, I’ve had enough,” he said. “Take my life. 

I’m no better than my people of long ago.”  

Depression comes from...

1. Faulty thinking.  

Elijah outlived Jezebel. 

Don't mediate on a lie.  

We need a dose of worship to wash out our negative self talk.  

This is what Paul taught us to overcome bouts of depression. 

Philippians 4:8 (NIRV)

8 ...think about what is true. 

Think about what is noble, right and pure. 

Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. 

If anything is excellent or worthy of praise (worship), think about those kinds of things. 

2. Isolation. 

  

That's why we focus on small groups.  

Small groups are not a luxury but a necessity.  

The real goal is for you to have someone in your life that knows your thoughts. 

Solomon put it this way...  

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIRV)

12 One person could be overpowered.

    But two people can stand up for themselves.

    And a rope made out of three cords isn’t easily broken.  

You must not be alone in your thoughts.  

This life isn't getting easier but harder.  

3. Lead by feelings.

Elijah's emotional feelings got him in trouble.  

Feelings hide the facts. Jesus said...

John 8:32 (NIRV)

32 Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free.”

4. Comparison.

Social media contributes to this.  

The Apostle Paul fought against comparrison, too. 

Galatians 1:10  (NIRV)

10 Am I now trying to get people to think well of me? 

Or do I want God to think well of me? 

Am I trying to please people? 

If I were, I would not be serving Christ.

You only have to please one person and that is God.  

Read I Kings 19_5-19.

A. God gave Elijah food and water. 

Get healthy physically by eating right, getting enough sleep, and removing none critical things in your schedule.  

B. God expanded his community by reminding him that there were 7,000 more faithful men. 

C.  God restored his purpose by giving him an assignment to help him overcome his depression.

D. God manifested His power in the wind, earthquake, and fire.

E. God revealed His presence by His still small whisper. 

Pour out your heart to God, and give your burdens to God. 

Matthew 11:28-29(NIRV)

28 (Jesus speaking) “Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. 

I will give you rest. 

29 Become my servants and learn from me. 

I am gentle and free of pride. 

You will find rest for your souls. 

Turn down the world's volume to hear God's still small whisper. 

Psalm 46:10A  (NIRV)

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.

Let God give to you a new purpose and

direction for your life.  

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIRV)

16 We don’t give up. 

Our bodies are becoming weaker and weaker. 

But our spirits are being renewed day by day. 

17 Our troubles are small. 

They last only for a short time. 

But they are earning for us a glory that will last forever. 

It is greater than all our troubles. 

18 So we don’t spend all our time looking at what we can see. 

Instead, we look at what we can’t see. 

That’s because what can be seen lasts only a short time. 

But what can’t be seen will last forever.

Tell Him.  

"Jesus, I come to you, and give to you my life".  

You can go to heaven if you want too.     

Notes from Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands.  Scripture in blue.    

https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/depression1

When A Setback Fills You With Fear

1.  There are no comebacks without setbacks.

2. Every setback is a setup for a comeback.

3. A setback is not intended to punish me, but to prepare me for my next stage of life.

4. Setbacks are the stepping stone for my future.

When things don't happen how we want it and when we want it, we panic. 

Fear is our greatest enemy in life. Fear, worry, anxiety. 

5. What do you do when your setback fills you with fear? 

Everyone has secret fears.

To illustrate this, we've got to look at the Christmas story.  

Don't be afraid is used four times in the Christmas story.

For those who heard it first, it scared them.

Everyone plans had a setback.

I don't know your fears.

I do know that God does not want you to be fearful.

I want to show you 5 fears and their antidotes. 

1. Mary faced the fear of inadequency. 

She was about 15 years of age, and was planning her wedding.  

Then, one day an angel interrupted her plans. 

The angel's message was even more shocking. 

By the way, you will be pregnant, and you will carry the Son of God.  

Her simple plans were interrupted with panic.

  

Luke 1:29-34  (NIRV)

29 Mary was very upset because of his words.

She wondered what kind of greeting this could be. 

30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary. 

God is very pleased with you. 

31 You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must call him Jesus. 

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. 

The Lord God will make him a king like his father David of long ago. 

33 The Son of the Most High God will rule forever over his people. 

They are from the family line of Jacob. That kingdom will never end.”

34 “How can this happen?” 

Mary asked the angel. 

“I am a virgin.”  

She's going to be an unwed mother.

She'll be going on a long trip to Bethlehem, having a baby without doctor.

2. Joseph faced the fear of disapproval.  

His fiance said that she had a baby without a man. 

It was unbelievable! 

It was embarrassing.  

  

Matthew 1:18-20  (NIRV)

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. 

His mother Mary and Joseph had promised to get married. 

But before they started to live together, it became clear that she was going to have a baby. 

She became pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

19 Her husband Joseph was faithful to the law. 

But he did not want to put her to shame in public. 

So he planned to divorce her quietly.

20 But as Joseph was thinking about this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.

The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. 

The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit. 

Whose disapproval are you afraid of?

Whose approval are you living for?

3. The shepherds face the fear of unexpected change. 

Did they think that they saw U.F.O.s when they saw the angels?  

They would never be the same again.

Luke 2:8-10  (NIRV)

8 There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby. 

It was night, and they were taking care of their sheep. 

9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them. 

And the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were terrified. 

10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. 

I bring you good news. 

It will bring great joy for all the people. 

             

Do like being caught off guard, and you get that natural fight or flight reaction?

Sometimes a setback is just God showing up in your life.  

It can be scary, but God doesn't want you to be afraid.

4. King Herod faced the fear of losing control.  

King Herod was already known to be the king of the Jews. 

He had his brother murdered. 

His mother murdered.  

His wife murdered. 

His two sons murdered.  

He had all the children under two years old murdered in Bethlehem. 

Matthew 2:1-3  (NIRV)

2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. 

This happened while Herod was king of Judea. 

After Jesus’ birth, Wise Men from the east came to Jerusalem. 

2 They asked, “Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews? 

We saw his star when it rose. Now we have come to worship him.”

3 When King Herod heard about it, he was very upset. 

Everyone in Jerusalem was troubled too. 

We sing Silent Night Holy Night at Christmas.

All is calm.  

All is bright.  

The truth is everyone was in turmoil in fear at Christ's birth.

What are you afraid of losing control of?

What's out of control in your life and it's scaring you to death?

What are you trying to control that's uncontrollable?

Do you know that you have a warning light when this is taking place?

It's called worry.

5. Zechariah faced the fear of being disappointed. 

Zechariah was married to Elizabeth who was Mary's cousin. 

When Mary got pregnant, she went to say with them.  

They were very old, and couldn't have a child.  

One day God's angel shows up and says...

Zechariah you're going to have a baby. 

Luke 1:11-13  (NIRV)

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah. 

The angel was standing at the right side of the incense altar.

12 When Zechariah saw him, he was amazed and terrified. 

13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah. 

Your prayer has been heard. 

Your wife Elizabeth will have a child. 

It will be a boy, and you must call him John.

Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist who was Jesus's cousin.

Which of these fears do you have?  

All of them?

You're going to have to change your fear into faith in God.  

Do the same four things the people did in these passages.

1. Surrender your life completely to God everyday. 

This is the first antidote. 

Mary did it. 

If God calls you to do it, He will equip you.  

Luke 1:38  (NIRV)

38 “I serve the Lord,” Mary answered. 

“May it happen to me just as you said it would.” 

Then the angel left her. 

Job said it like this.

Job 11:13-18 (NIRV)

13 “So commit yourself to God completely.

    Reach out your hands to him for help.

14 Get rid of all the sin you have.

    Don’t let anything that is evil stay in your tent.

15 Then, free of those things, you can face others.

    You can stand firm without being afraid.

16 You can be sure you will forget your troubles.

    They will be like water that has flowed on by.

17 Life will be brighter than the sun at noon.

    And darkness will become like morning.

18 You will be secure, because there is hope.

    You will look around you and find a safe place to rest.

2. Stop listening to the voices of fear around you. 

Like the people around you.  

The voices in you.  

The media.

Paul said this... 

Romans 14:23 (NIRV)

23 But whoever has doubts about what they eat is guilty if they eat. 

That’s because their eating is not based on faith. 

Everything that is not based on faith is sin.

Fear is the opposite of faith.  

Anytime you'er walking in fear.  

You are not walking in faith. 

Fear is highly contagious.  

a. Turn off talk radio.

  

b. Start hanging out with people of faith not fear.

  

3. Fill your mind with the praises of God. 

Praise is the antidote for panic.  

Worships is the antidote of worry.  

You lose your fear when God is near.  

Mary wrote a song of worship to overcome her fears in Luke 1: 46-56. 

It's not an accident that Christmas is the most worship centered holiday.  

4. Base your hopes on the promises of God. 

Luke 1:45 (NIRV)

45 You are a woman God has blessed. 

You have believed that the Lord would keep his promises to you!”

Do you believe that God will do what He said?

David said it this way. 

Psalm 56:3-4 (NIRV)

3 When I’m afraid,
    I put my trust in you.

4 I trust in God. I praise his word.

    I trust in God. I am not afraid.

    What can mere people do to me?  

Only if you do this.  

Will it save us.  

I pray for the people who have been full of fear.  

Lord, I pray for those who have been afraid.

Tell God. 

I surrender my life completely to you including the things that are scaring me to death.  

I choose to fill my life with faith not the voices of fear.  

I want to hear your voice, and fill my mind with praise.  

I take my mind off the problem, and onto you who are my solution.  

Jesus Christ come into my life and be my manager this day forward. 

Notes from Rick Warren, Saddleback Church.