Elephants – Week 4 (8-19-24)

Elephants
Worry, Anxiety & Depression
Aug. 18, 2024

Thoughts determine direction.
Feelings follow focus.

Origin of worry and anxiety?

1. Pain of the Past
2. Stress of the Present
3. Fear of the Future

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Our tendency is to assume we are alone…
Elijah, Jeremiah, David, Noah, Job, Jonah, Peter, Paul…

Life Hurts…

Getting help is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of wisdom.

The more you focus on things you can’t control, the more out of control you feel.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

How do we renew our minds?

When we hide from God we are hiding from our healer. 

1. Name the thoughts.
2. Is it true?
3. Change the Dial
4. Focus on truth

• Philippians 4:4-9
  Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Life hurts… God heals