This was a series of sermons from church that really touched me a lot.
THE FIRST STEP TO HEALTH
What is Unhealthy in Your Life?
My pace of life My diet
My financial situation
My thoughts
My worries My relationship with
My overwork
My habits My holding on to the past
My marriage
My family My perfectionism
My addiction
My memories My resentment or anger
My expectations My regrets
My need to control
THE FIRST STEP TO HEALTH
"Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless." Matt.
5:3 (GW)
REALIZE I'm not God . I admit I'm helpless to control my tendency to do what i
know is unhealthy and that my life is unmanageable.
"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right,
but I can't! I do what I don't want to - what I hate! I know perfectly well what
I'm doing is wrong but I can't help myself." Rom. 7:15 & 17 (LB)
The Bible calls this my: sin nature
I. THE CAUSE OF MOST PROBLEMS: IS PLAYING GOD
"In the pride of your heart you say, 'I am a god' But you are just a man
and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god." Ezekiel 28:2 (NIV)
How we "play" God:
By denying our humanity & trying to control everything
- Our problems
- Other people
- Our pain
II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF PLAYING GOD
1. Frustration
"It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I
inevitably do what is wrong but there is something else deep within me, my lower
nature, that is at war with my mind and wins the fight." Rom. 7:21, 23 (LB)
2.Fatigue
"My strenghth evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted
all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide them." Ps. 32:4-5
3.Falure at playing God
"Your will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them
and give them up; then God will show mercy to you." Prov. 28:13 (GN)
1ST STEP TO HEALTH: ADMIT WE NEED GOD'S HELP
I admit I'm powerless to....
Change my past...control others....change my unhealthy habits
"We saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for
then we put everything into the havds of God, who alone could save us, for He
can even raise the dead." 2 Cor. 1:9 (LB)
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there
is more of God and His rule." Matt. 5:3 (Mes)
"When we were unable to help ourselves, at the moment of our need, Christ
died for us?" Rom. 5:6 (NCV)
"God gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless." Isaiah
40:29 (NRSV)
DON'T
WASTE YOUR PAIN!
Getting Healthy Again
"God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When
others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given
us. So, when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit...so that
we can be encouragement to you." 2 Cor. 1:4+6 (NLT)
THE LAST STEP: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others,
by both my example and my words.
YOUR EXPERIENCES WILL HELP OTHERS IF YOU'LL SHARE 4 THINGS
1. HOW WILL GOD USE MY EXPERIENCE.
"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways."
Pr. 20:30 (GN)
"I am glad...not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to
God..." 2 Cor. 7:9 (LB)
THE KEY: BE REAL
* BE OPEN WITH MY FEELINGS
"We have spoken frankly to you: we have opened our hearts wide." 2 Cor.
6:11 (GN)
* BE HUMBLE ABOUT MY FAULTS
"Each of us must bear the faults and burdens of his own. For none of us is
perfect!" Gal. 5:5 (LB)
*BE FRANK ABOUT MY FAILURES
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the
worst." 1 Tim. 1:15 (NIV)
*BE HONEST ABOUT MY FRUSTRATION
"I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out...I deep
on doing the evil I don't want to do." Rom. 7:18b-19 (NIV)
*BE CANDID ABOUT MY FEARS
"I do admit that I have fears-that when I come you'll disappoint me and
I'll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to
pieces..." 2 Cor. 12:20 (Mes)
2. WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR PAIN
* I LEARNED TO DEPEND ON GOD
"We were crushed and overwhelmed...and saw how powerless we were to help
ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God,
who alone could save us...and He did help us!" 2 Cor. 1:8-10 (LB)
* I LEARNED TO OBEY GOD'S WORD (LISTEN TO GOD!!!)
"...it was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me
to pay attention to Your laws!" Pr. 119:71 (LB)
* I LEARNED I NEED OTHER PEOPLE
"Remember that in God's plan men and women need each other." 1 Cor.
11:11 (LB)
"Two people are better than one...If one falls down, the other can help him
up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there
to help." Eccl. 4:9-10 (NCV)
3. HOW GOD BRINGS GOOD OUT OF BAD
"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those
who love God..." Rom. 8:28 (NLT)
"(They) intended it to harm me, but God intended it for good." Gen.
50:20 (NIV)
4. HOW JESUS GIVES US HOPE FOR CHANGE
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the
reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15a (NIV)
"When you call to Me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in
trouble. I will save you and honor you." Ps. 91:15 (GW)
RESTORING
RELATIONSHIPS
Getting Healthy Again
"Blessed are the peacemakers." Matthew 5:9 (NIV)
STEP 6: Evaluate all my relationships, offer forgiveness to those who've hurt me
and make amends for harm I've done to others...except when to do so, would harm
them or others.
1. I must forgive those who have hurt me. 2. I must make a mends to those I've
hurt.
PART 1: I MUST FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE HURT ME
Why?
* Resentment doesn't work
" To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless
thing to do."
Job 5:2 (GN)
* Because God has forgiven me
"Never hold grudges. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive
others." Colossians 3:13 (LB)
* Because I need to be forgiven
"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will
forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive
your sins." Matthew 6:14 (NLT)
How?
1. Admit my hurt.
*Repress it: "It never happened."
*Ignore it: "I don't want to deal with it."
*Suppress it: "It's no big deal...really, it's over."
2. Release the offender / person who hurt me
"'How many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me?'
Jesus answered, ' Not seven times, but seventy times seven times.'" Matthew
18:21-22(NLT)
* The empty chair * Write a letter you don't mail
3. Pursue God's peace.
"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as
members of one body you are all called to live in peace." Colossians 3:15 (NLT)
"If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more
wonderful than the human mind can understand..." Phillippians 4:7 (NLT)
"May the Lord of peace Himself always give you His peace no matter what
happens."
2 Thessalonians 3:16
PART 2: I MUST MAKE AMENDS WITH THOSE I'VE HURT
Why?
"When people work for peace in a peaceful way they receive the good results
of their right living." James 3:18 (GN)
1. Remember those we have hurt
" If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with
everyone." Romans 12:18 (NIV)
2. Make a commitment
"So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a
sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against
you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that
person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God." Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)
*With humility With no excuses With restitution With sensitivity
3. Refocus on God
"Put your heart right, reach out to God, then face the world again, firm
and courageous, then all your troubles will fade from your memory, like floods
that are past and remembered no more." Job 11:13-16
MAKING
CHANGES
Getting Healthy Again
Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask
him to remove my life and humbly ask him to remove my character defects.
"Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service
and pleasing to him...and let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of
your mind." Romans 12 :1-2 (GN)
I. Where do my character defects come from?
My Genetics.
Genetics explain predisposition, but they don't excuse sin.
My Circumstances.
Character defects are often the attempts to fill unmet needs.
My Chaises.
Character defects are often positive qualities being misused.
II. Why is it so hard to change them?
1. Because I've had them for a long time.
2. Because I identify with them.
3. Because they have a payoff.
4. Because Satan discourages me.
III. How do I cooperate with God's change process?
"....Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
1. Focus on changing one defect at a time.
"An intelligent person aims at wise action, but a fool starts off in many
directions." Proverbs 17:24
2. Focus on victory one victory at a time.
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
(don't forget to thank God for every victory every day)
3. Focus on God's power, not willpower.
"Can a leopard take away his spots? Nor can you who are used to doing evil
now start being good." Jeremiah 12:23 (LB)
But...
"I can master anything with the help of Christ who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13 (JB)
4. Focus on what I want, not on what I don't want
"Fix your thought on what is true and good and right. Think about things
that are pure...Think about all you can praise God for and be glad
about...."
Philippians 4:8 (LB)
5. Focus on doing good, not feeling good. (don't wait until you feel like
changing)
"If you are guided by the Spirit you will be in no danger of yielding to
self-indulgence." Galatians 5:16 (JB)
6. Focus on people who help me, not hinder me.
"As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other." Proverbs
27:1 (NCV)
7. Focus on progress, not on perfection.
"God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow
in his grace until his task with you is finally finished..." Philippians
1:6 (LB)
COMING
CLEAN
Getting Healthy Again
Matthew 5:8 "Happy are the pure in heart."
Step Four: I must openly examine and confess my faults to myself to God and to
someone I trust.
"What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven. What relief for
those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record. "
Psalm 32:1-2 (Living Bible)
I. WHY DEAL WITH MY GUILT?
1. If I deal with my guilt, I'll gain confidence.
2. If I deal with my guilt, my relationships will improve.
3. If I deal with my guilt, I'll have a better future.
Guilt cannot change the past, just like worry cannot change the future!
II. HOW TO REMOVE GUILT
1. Time to - take a personal moral inventory
"Let us examine our ways." Lam 3:40 (NLT)
"Search me O God, and know my heart. Test my thoughts, point out anything
You find in me that makes You sad." Psalm 139:23-34 (Living Bible)
2. Stop the blame/deny/avoid Game!
"The Lord gave us a mind and a conscience. We cannot hide from
ourselves."
Prov. 20:27 (GN)
3. Let God do the deep cleaning.
"If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable. He
forgives our sin and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil." 1
John 1:9 (GN)
"No matter how deep the stain of your sin is, I can take it out and make
you clean as freshly fallen snow." Isaiah 1:18 (Living Bible)
4. Tell a Christian friend.
"Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may
be healed." James 5:16 (Living Bible)
God says revealing your feelings is the beginning of healing!
5. Accept God's forgiveness and forgive yourself.
"All of us have sinned." Romans 3:23 (Living Bible)
In the face and forgiveness of Jesus, you will discover the permission to become
the kind of person you could have been had you never, ever sinned.
GUILT IS REMOVED AND A VEW LIFE IS YOURS TO LIVE!
LETTING
GO & LETTING GOD
Getting Healthy Again
"God blesses those people who are meek." Matt. 5:5 (CEV)
"The meek shall be satisfied." Ps. 22:26
"The meek he will guide and teach." Ps. 25:9
"The meek become wise." Pr. 11:2
"The meek will be filled with fresh joy." Isa. 29:19
MEEKNESS IS LETTING GO AND LETTING GOD, SUBMITTING & SURRENDERING TO GOD.
MAKE JESUS THE MANAGER OF MY LIFE.
"Stop quarreling with God! If you agree with Him, you will have peace at
last, and things will go well for you" Job 22:21 (NLT)
Jesus: "Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let me lead. You're not
in the driver's seat: I am..." Matt. 16:24 (Mes)
"Give yourself to the Lord: trust in Him, and He will help you." Ps.
37:5 (GN)
ESTABLISH GOD'S WORD AS THE AUTHORITY FOR MY LIFE.
"Place yourselves under God's authority." James 4:7a (GW)
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true
and make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and
teaches us to do what is right. " 2 Tim. 3:16 (NLT)
"I have make up my mind to obey Your laws forever, no matter what."
Ps. 119:112 (CEV)
"I will never lay aside Your laws, for You have used them to restore my joy
and health." Ps. 119:93 (LB)
EMBRACE GOD'S SPIRIT AS THE POWER FOR MY LIFE.
"I will puy My Spirit in you and enable you to live by My laws." Ezek.
36:27 (GW)
"Anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed
to failure." Gal. 3:10a
"You began your life in Christ by the Spirit. Now are you trying to make it
complete by you own power? That is foolish!" Gal. 3:3 (NCV)
"I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives
me." Phil. 4:13 (GN)
KEEP JESUS THE FOCUS OF MY LIFE.
"We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith
complete." Heb. 12:2 (CEV)
"If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip ober my own feet." Ps. 25:15 (Mes)
"Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the
one who will keep you on track." Pr. 3:6 (Mes)
STEP 3
Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control.
"The payoff for meekness...is plenty and honor and is satisfying
life." Pr. 22:4 (Mes)
"Don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too.
Live on day at a time." Matt. 6:34 (LB)
THE
HOPE YOU NEED FOR CHANGE
Getting Healthy Again
Part 2 of 8
"God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!"
Matt.5:4 (CEV)
"No one can live with a broken spirit." Pr. 18:14 (NCV)
WHERE TO GET HOPE WHEN CHANGE SEEMS HOPELESS
1. REMEMBER GOD IS WITH ME
"Those who forget God have no hope." Job 8:11a (LB)
"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and
give me renewed hope and cheer." Ps 94:19 (LB)
2. REMEMBER HE CARES FOR ME
"I have hope when I think of this: The Lord's love never ends; His mercies
never stop. They are new every morning." Lam 3:21-23 (NCV)
"He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic...for He knows what we
are made of -dust." Ps. 103:13-14 (LB/GN)
"God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us."
Rom. 5:8 (LB)
3. REMEMBER HE KNOWS MY SITUATION
"You know how troubled I am; You have kept a record of my tears. " Ps.
56:6 (GN)
"...You have seen the crisis in my soul." Ps. 31:7 (LB)
4. REMEMBER HE HAS GOT THE POWER I DON'T HAVE.
"what is impossible for men is possible with God." Luke 18:27 (GN)
"When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live
not on the basis of what he couldn't do but on what God said He would do."
Rom. 4:18a (Mes)
"For God is at work within you, giving you the will and power to achieve
His purpose." Phil. 2:13
5. REMEMBER HE'S PROMISED TO HELP
"I expect Your help, for You have promised it." Ps. 119:81 (LB)
"God cannot lie when He makes a promise, and He cannot lie when He makes an
oath. These things encourage us...They give us strength to hold on to the hope
we have been given." Heb. 6:18 (NCV)
STEP 2
Earnestly believe that God exists: that I matter to Him, and that He has the
power to help me recover.
"The Spirit that God gives us...fills us with power, love, and
self-control." 2 Tim 1:7 (GN)
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