This week we look at the subject of Emotional Wellbeing. It's easy, especially in the cultural context of the United Kingdom to think that emotions don't matter that we should 'suck it up', 'stiff upper lip'. Actually this can be really unhealthy.
As we look at this subject it's important to make clear that our emotions do really matter. Jesus modelled this, He showed us that we can be intensely loving, joyful, sometimes angry and not afraid to show emotion through tears.
Many of us may find that we need the Holy Spirit to work in us to help us to be able to express our emotions in a healthy way. Some of us may feel that our emotions are all bottled up, others may feel that they can be 'overly emotional’; whilst still others may struggle with unhelpful anger issues. As we explore in this weeks message: God wants us to have a healthy emotional state and to find wholeness in this area.
Psychologists have long recognised that in every person there are both perceived ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ emotions, and that there is a place for both in our lives. “Even the happiest people cry when they lose someone or something they cherish. They’re angered by injustice and frightened by danger” Barbara Fredrickson1
Our bodies weren’t designed to carry negative emotions long-term. If our emotions are overwhelmed by negativity it can lead to burnout. In reality it is better for our emotional wellbeing if the proportion of positive emotions is higher than those of negative emotions. This will help us flourish, bring stability and increase our sense of general wellbeing.
Some psychologists believe that we should aim that for every negative emotional experience we face, we should try to replace those with at least three positive emotional experiences. Others feel that putting a number on something like this is unhelpful, but all acknowledge that positive emotions are proven to have massive knock-on benefits in our lives. They can encourage our sense of general wellbeing, provide space to broaden our viewpoint, provide impetus to increase our skills and the basis for resilience and good physical health.
Above written by David Ash based on the Emotional Wellbeing introduction in the 'God's Plan for Your Wellbeing' Book
Caroline looks at the negative impact of fear and anxiety in our lives and gives us some practical advice on how to battle these emotions. She looks at the life of Job and helps us see that whatever is going on in our lives, however difficult it may be, as we rest in God he can replenish us, especially as we cultivate gratitude in our lives. You can listen to Caroline's preach and the rest of the series below:
Listen
Watch the full series here:
Listen to the Full Series here:
More episodes will be added as we progress through the series. You can watch and listen to other series and talks by visiting our media page: jubilee.org.uk/media
Emotional Wellbeing Health Check
1. How are you feeling today, really? Physically and mentally.
2. What’s taking up most of your headspace right now?
3. What was your last full meal, and have you been drinking enough water?
4. How have you been sleeping?
5. What have you been doing for exercise?
6. What did you do today that made you feel good?
7. What’s something you can do tomorrow that would be good for you?
8. What’s something you’re looking forward to in the next few days?
9. Do you have at least one person you could talk to if you are struggling?
10. What are you grateful for right now?
If you are part of a LifeGroup you can either share these as a group or give everyone time to reflect on
their own answers
Why not read the book which helped us shape this series?
“God’s Plan for your Wellbeing” by Dave Smith - This book will help you delve deeper into this subject.
From the back cover:
The UK’s #1 concern, from Cabinet to classroom, is wellbeing.
Dave Smith, writing from personal experience, leads us on a 50-day adventure to improve our physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, financial and vocational health. This book is a simple and easily accessible guide for individuals and groups to take next steps towards greater wellbeing. Informative and practical, bit upon biblical principles, this guide acts as a personal Satnam in a journey towards greater resilience and a richer quality of life. We discover that God really does have a plan for our overall health and sets us on a course for a lifetime of ever-increasing wellbeing!
Recommendations:
Dave Smith is one of the most gifted Christian leaders in the UK today and I am delighted that he has produced this exciting new book to help all of us grow in wellbeing. Nicky Gumbel, Vicar of HTB and pioneer of Alpha
Dave offers bite-sized daily meditations and practical next-steps suggestions to help us on our journey of increasing wellbeing. As someone who has been through my own struggles with wellbeing, I can’t recommend this timely book enough. Simon Thomas, TV presenter, author and podcaster
Who is Dr Dave Smith?
Dave became a Christian while studying at Oxford University, where he went on to complete a doctorate in church history. He and his wife, Karen, moved to Peterborough in 1988 to start KingsGate Community church - now a large, multicultural, intergenerational, multisite church. Dave has a heart to see a revival of healthy believers and churches who in turn impact their neighbourhoods and the nations! He loves walking and is a avid Manchester City fan!
You can buy a copy here
(1) Barbara Fredrickson, Positivity (London: One World, 2011), p33