series artseries art

How God Helps me with my Emotions

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. MATTHEW 6:25-34 NLT

God helps me with my emotions by…

Revealing their impact on my daily life

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. PROVERBS 4:23 NLT

… For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. MATTHEW 12:34 NLT

Reminding me of my value to Him

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? MATTHEW 6:26 NLT

So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. MATTHEW 10:31 NLT

… Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. … MATTHEW 6:28 NLT

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. PSALM 118:24 ESV

Teaching me to question what I am feeling

… Why do you have so little faith? MATTHEW 6:30 NLT

What are my feelings?

What are the facts?

What does God’s word say?

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. MATTHEW 6:34 NLT

What are the potential outcomes?

Directing me to a better way to live

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. MATTHEW 6:31-33 NLT

How much of your Anxiety, worry, and stress comes from Jesus?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” MATTHEW 11:28-30 NIV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet, distraction-free place where you can become calm in your thoughts and emotions. Take a few deep breaths and slowly release any burdens that may be troubling you to God. When you are ready, begin a conversation with Him. Ask God to help you discern how worry and stress is impacting your life. To what extent do you let your feelings determine what you believe rather than God’s Word? Recall an incident in which your feelings controlled your thoughts and actions more than God’s truth. What were your feelings telling you was true? What could have God’s word told you was true? What feelings and thoughts surface as you reflect on Matthew 6:25-34 that help you not worry about a current challenge you are facing? What is the worst, best, and most likely outcome of this challenge? Close your time by coming to Jesus in prayer with any worries you have, and rest in His care as He promises in Matthew 11:28-30. Take any action that He leads you to take. Write your reflections in the space below, and share them with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

NOTE: Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: Check out the Mood Meter (sandalschurch.com/feelings); which one best describes you and how you feel today?
  2. START HERE: “My feelings are real, but they are not always right.” What’s your reaction when you hear this?
  3. START HERE: Read Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT) together. Why do you think Jesus mentions worry so many times in such a short passage?
  4. KEEP GOING: Where have your emotions got the best of you and messed up your life lately?
  5. KEEP GOING: What role does not feeling valued play in your emotional struggles?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 6:26 (NLT). When in your life have you felt valuable to God?
  7. KEEP GOING: What does your life look like when you allow God to be in the driver’s seat? Contrast that to the times when you’ve allowed your emotions to drive you.
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Where specifically is Jesus directing you toward better emotional health this year?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Consider taking some time this week to take a walk and think of the ways God takes care of nature and how He will take care of you.
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Pick one thing you are worried about and practice the four-part method shared during the sermon by writing down the following: 1. Identify your feelings. 2. What are the facts? 3. What does God’s word say? 4. What are the potential outcomes (worst-case, best-case, most likely)? Share with the group next week how this practice affected your worry.