Soul Talk - Overwhelmed: A Story

February 28/March 1, 2015

read 1 kings 19:1-15a 

DISCUSS this story with your small group. What are your thoughts? Can you relate to Elijah? 

How do you react in times of stress and anxiety?

• Fuzzy thinking - confusion or trouble concentrating
• Bad decisions or unable to make decisions
• Exaggerate the negative
• Focus on my contribution or sacrifice
• Blow little things out of proportion
• Dealing and speaking in absolutes
• Inflexibility in thinking – set on one idea or perspective
• Attack or degrade new ideas
• All or nothing, black and white thinking
• Overly simplistic or linear thinking
• Putting our struggle in the category of special, ie. “I am the only one”
• Preoccupation with death     
• Reactive response:

            Anger or cynicism
            Giving up
            Obsessing on one issue or person
            Blaming
            Attacking
            Paranoia or hyper vigilance
            Denial
                                              

Identifying these behaviors can be helpful in the journey through the gray. SHARE your observations with your group if this is something you recognize in your own life.

How do you react when you see someone else who is struggling with stress and anxiety? Here are some keys to coming alongside an overwhelmed person.

• Look for symptoms 
• Listen
• Try not to fix the problem or problems
• Try not to project your situation on them
• Support them, but do not own the situation
• Pray with them and for them
• Encouraging healthy practices:

            Physical well being

            Small group involvement

            Professional help for them

Sometimes it can be difficult to know how to help someone. You may feel frustrated, impatient, and helpless. How did God help Elijah? REFLECT on how someone has come alongside you during a season of gray. What did that look like? What was an encouragement to you? Is there someone you know inside or outside of your group who could use some regular encouragement?  

PRAY this prayer together

“Sun behind all suns, Soul behind all souls….

Show to us in everything we touch

And in everyone we meet

The continued assurance of Thy Presence around us

Lest ever we should think Thee absent.

In all created things Thou art there.

In every friend we have

The sunshine of Thy Presence is shown forth.

In every enemy that seems to cross our path,

Thou art there within the cloud to challenge us to love.

Show to us the glory in the gray.

Awake for us Thy Presence in the very storm till

All our joys are seen as Thee and

All our trivial tasks emerge as priestly sacraments in

The temple of Thy love.”

                                                       by George MacLeod

next steps

   worship

"What Now My Soul?" Join us in prayer March 3 @6pm in the Fireside Room at JW.

Also, if you attend a Sunday morning worship service, would you and your group pray and consider moving as a group to a Saturday night service? You could help those who are new to JW by opening up seats during the busiest times. THANK YOU to those of you who have chosen to make this transition!

   

   belong

Spend some time praying as a group for each other's anxiety as well as for the anxiety of those you know. 

   

   grow

Further reading:

   Prayer – Richard Foster

   The Good and Beautiful Life – James Bryan Smith

   Invitation to Solitude and Silence:

       Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence – Ruth H. Barton

Soul Care is a short-term group meeting March 10 @7pm after prayer and continuing for the next few weeks on Tuesday evenings. Discover practical aspects of caring for your soul. Come as a group as a way to join each other on the journey.

   serve

Find a way this week to encourage those you know who are in a season of gray. Send them a card, give them a call, make them a meal or send flowers. Let them know you care and that God loves them.

   share

Invite a friend to church.