Monday, September 26, 2022

Get Off the Couch – Mixed Emotions

September 26, 2022/in Bible Study, Week 3

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In Week 3 of our series, Mixed Emotions, we focus on turning disappointment into delight. Unfortunately, life is full of disappointments. They often make us bitter, angry, and hopeless—which can lead to our not doing the things that delight us. In essence, we stop living, defer our hope, and get in a rut.

But we have a choice on how we handle disappointment. We can respond like the world or we can let God transform us.

Romans 12:2

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Recently, life’s disappointments were really building up. I was in a serious rut and suffering from burnout. I was up extra early to get to work, and by the time I got home, I was exhausted. After dinner, I would plant myself on the couch and stay there until bedtime. I started eating Fritos or Cheetos and cookies every night.

Even though I spend time with God daily—praying, reading the Bible, and praising him—I still felt hopeless. I realized I had stopped doing fun things, things that fill my tank.

Proverbs 13:12

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

I needed to make some changes. I cut out the junk food and started eating better. I also began to exercise (swimming) for a half-hour every day after dinner, then relax in the hot tub with my husband. Before this, my husband would frequently ask me to go swimming, but I would reply that I was too tired.

Changing this one hour each night made a huge difference in my life, and I never regretted it. I was happier and more energized, and I was sleeping better. So, I made a decision to do other things that filled me up. I got in contact with friends who I hadn’t seen in a while. We went for walks, drank chai tea, and laughed together.

I feel like a new person. Not only have I been much more hopeful and thankful to God, but I’m also finding that I am able to handle disappointments better. My life is rich and satisfying.

One of my favorite verses is John 10:10: “The thief’s purpose is to steal, and kill, and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Jesus wants us to have a rich and satisfying life. He wants us to be filled with his joy and delight. We have to make time to do fun things that revive and replenish us.

Yes, we will go through hard times, but he is always with us. He is our hope!

Questions:

What do you do when you feel hopeless? How do you handle disappointments? How are you letting God transform you? What fills your tank?

Next Steps:

Join or lead a Group. Get off the couch, and do something every day that fills your tank.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for conquering death so that we can have a rich and satisfying life. Help me turn to you when I am disappointed and overwhelmed. Transform me, Lord. Give me the desire to do things daily that fill me with your hope and joy. Help me to focus on your blessings and not the disappointments. I am so grateful you are always present in my life. I love and adore you. Amen.