Fill your Emotional Tank

Message starts around 30:00

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