Embracing Sadness: Finding Hope in God's Presence

Summary

Summary:

In our ongoing series on emotions, today we delve into the complex and often misunderstood emotion of sadness. Sadness is a universal experience, manifesting in various forms from mild melancholy to deep grief and anguish. Society often teaches us to suppress these feelings, equating sadness with weakness or moral failure. However, the Bible offers a different perspective, emphasizing that God is close to the brokenhearted and rescues those whose spirits are crushed. This truth is beautifully illustrated in Psalm 34, written by David during a time of intense personal crisis. Despite his dire circumstances, David recognized God's presence and deliverance, reminding us that God is near even when we feel most alone.

The story of David, who pretended to be insane to escape danger, serves as a powerful reminder that God’s presence is constant, even in our most desperate moments. Similarly, the story of Harrison O'Kenya, who survived against all odds at the bottom of the ocean, illustrates the profound hope and rescue that God offers. These narratives encourage us to embrace our emotions, allowing ourselves to feel and process sadness, rather than isolating ourselves. In doing so, we open ourselves to experiencing God's presence and the eventual rescue He promises.

For those not currently experiencing sadness, the call is to be present for others, offering hope and support. Like Betty Tucker, who brings hope to hospital patients, we are invited to be agents of God’s presence and rescue in the lives of those around us. Whether we are in the depths of sadness or in a position to help others, God’s message of presence and rescue is relevant to us all.

Key Takeaways:

1. Embracing Sadness: Sadness is a natural part of the human experience, and suppressing it can lead to isolation and further emotional distress. By acknowledging and embracing our sadness, we allow ourselves to process emotions healthily and draw closer to God, who is near to the brokenhearted. [17:02]

2. God's Presence in Sadness: In moments of deep sadness, it can feel like God is distant, but the truth is that He is closest to us during these times. David's experience in Psalm 34 reminds us that God's presence is a source of comfort and strength, even when we feel alone and overwhelmed. [15:46]

3. The Promise of Rescue: While God's rescue may not come on our timetable, His promise to deliver us from our troubles is steadfast. Like Harrison O'Kenya's miraculous rescue, we can trust that God will lift us out of our despair and bring us to a place of hope and healing. [21:42]

4. The Role of Community: Isolation can exacerbate feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Engaging with a supportive community can provide the presence and encouragement needed to navigate difficult emotions. Being part of a community allows us to experience God's love through others. [28:12]

5. Being Present for Others: For those not currently experiencing sadness, there is an opportunity to be a source of hope and presence for others. By being attentive and compassionate, we can be used by God to bring comfort and support to those in need, much like Betty Tucker's ministry in the hospital. [31:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:17] - The Intensity of Heartbreak
- [02:37] - Society's View on Sadness
- [05:14] - A Messy Church for Messy People
- [06:31] - Understanding the Old and New Testament
- [08:55] - The Story of John Steele
- [10:10] - The Story Inside Psalm 34
- [12:50] - David's Escape and Psalm 34
- [14:28] - The Lord is Close to the Brokenhearted
- [17:02] - Aligning Our Hearts with God's Presence
- [20:22] - The Story of Harrison O'Kenya
- [23:07] - Next Steps in Sadness
- [27:12] - Embracing Our Emotions
- [28:12] - Avoiding Isolation
- [31:43] - Being Present for Others

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Embracing Sadness and Experiencing God's Presence

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 34:15-18

Observation Questions:
1. What does Psalm 34:18 say about God's proximity to those who are brokenhearted? How does this align with David's experience as described in the sermon? [15:46]
2. How did David's actions in Gath, as described in the sermon, illustrate his reliance on God during desperate times? [12:50]
3. What role does community play in helping individuals navigate sadness, according to the sermon? [28:12]
4. How does the story of Harrison O'Kenya serve as a metaphor for God's promise of rescue? [21:42]

Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that society's view of sadness as a weakness contrasts with the biblical perspective? [02:37]
2. How might David's acknowledgment of God's presence in Psalm 34 serve as a model for believers experiencing sadness today? [17:02]
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of acknowledging and processing emotions like sadness in a healthy way? [23:07]
4. How can the story of Betty Tucker inspire believers to be present for others in their times of need? [31:43]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt brokenhearted. How did you experience God's presence during that period, and what steps can you take to be more aware of His presence in future times of sadness? [15:46]
2. Society often teaches us to suppress sadness. How can you challenge this mindset in your own life and encourage others to embrace their emotions? [02:37]
3. Consider the role of community in your life. How can you actively engage with your community to both receive and offer support during times of sadness? [28:12]
4. Think about someone in your life who might be experiencing sadness. What practical steps can you take this week to be a source of hope and presence for them, similar to Betty Tucker's example? [31:43]
5. How can you align your heart with God's presence during times of sadness, as David did in Psalm 34? What practices or habits might help you cultivate this awareness? [17:02]
6. Reflect on the story of Harrison O'Kenya. How does this story of rescue inspire you to trust in God's promise of deliverance, even when it seems delayed? [21:42]
7. If you are not currently experiencing sadness, how can you prepare yourself to be an agent of God's presence and rescue for others in the future? [32:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Sadness as a Path to Healing
Sadness is a natural and universal part of the human experience, often misunderstood and suppressed due to societal norms that equate it with weakness. However, acknowledging and embracing sadness allows individuals to process their emotions healthily and draw closer to God. The Bible teaches that God is near to the brokenhearted, offering comfort and strength in times of distress. By allowing ourselves to feel and express sadness, we open the door to experiencing God's presence and the healing He provides. This approach encourages a deeper connection with God and a more authentic engagement with our emotions. [17:02]

Psalm 147:3-5 (ESV): "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure."

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt sadness. How can you invite God into that experience today, allowing Him to bring comfort and healing?

Day 2: Recognizing God's Presence in Our Sadness
In moments of deep sadness, it can feel as though God is distant, yet the truth is that He is closest to us during these times. David's experience in Psalm 34 serves as a reminder that God's presence is a source of comfort and strength, even when we feel alone and overwhelmed. By recognizing God's nearness, we can find solace and courage to face our challenges. This understanding encourages us to seek God's presence actively, trusting that He is with us in our darkest moments, ready to offer His love and support. [15:46]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Reflection: When you feel alone in your sadness, what practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's presence and seek His comfort?

Day 3: Trusting in God's Promise of Rescue
While God's rescue may not always align with our desired timeline, His promise to deliver us from our troubles remains steadfast. The story of Harrison O'Kenya, who survived against all odds, illustrates the profound hope and rescue that God offers. Trusting in God's promise means believing that He will lift us out of despair and bring us to a place of hope and healing, even when the path seems uncertain. This trust requires patience and faith, knowing that God's timing and methods are perfect, even when they differ from our expectations. [21:42]

2 Corinthians 1:9-10 (ESV): "Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again."

Reflection: Consider a situation where you are waiting for God's rescue. How can you cultivate patience and trust in His timing and methods today?

Day 4: The Importance of Community in Times of Sadness
Isolation can exacerbate feelings of sadness and hopelessness, making it crucial to engage with a supportive community. Being part of a community allows individuals to experience God's love through others, providing the presence and encouragement needed to navigate difficult emotions. This communal support fosters a sense of belonging and shared strength, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. By actively participating in a community, we can both receive and offer support, creating a network of care and compassion that reflects God's love. [28:12]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Identify a community or group you can engage with this week. How can you both give and receive support within this community?

Day 5: Being Present for Others in Their Sadness
For those not currently experiencing sadness, there is an opportunity to be a source of hope and presence for others. By being attentive and compassionate, individuals can be used by God to bring comfort and support to those in need. This call to action invites us to be agents of God's presence and rescue, much like Betty Tucker's ministry in the hospital. By offering our time, empathy, and understanding, we can make a significant impact in the lives of those who are struggling, reflecting God's love and care in tangible ways. [31:43]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may be experiencing sadness. How can you reach out to them today to offer support and encouragement?

Quotes

1) "A heartbreak is just one, like one sign of sadness. Sadness is like on the spectrum. We've all experienced it. We experience it different levels of the spectrum. At the low end, you have things like sadness or maybe you have melancholy. That's a good word, right? If you use melancholy sometime this week, you'll look really smart. You have sadness, melancholy. You might have a little bit of a deeper experience with sadness and it might feel like loneliness or feeling helpless. Or you might be in the deep end of sadness sometimes and use words like hopelessness or grief or anguish all on the spectrum of sadness, but all inside the realm of this emotion." [01:17] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Most people that we're around, including ourselves have baggage and our life has some mess in it. And we don't want to come in with the moral imperative to smile that to have, Hey, everything's. It's okay. We want to be real with who we are and where we're at in the process of life. Let God take us from where we are, to where we are, to where he created us to be. And so that's why we say, Hey, we're a messy church for messy people. It's okay to be sad. It's okay to come in and not be fine today. We want to walk with you and love you and be a family that realizes we're not always fine all the time. And if we are pretending that we are, well, there's something wrong." [05:14] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. So David writes that statement out of this experience. And you might go, well, why is he brokenhearted? Because he was just, he was just saved, right? He was, he was going to be killed by Gath. He's out. Saul's already turned around and gone back the other way because Saul doesn't want a confrontation with Philistines. So yeah, he's free again, but he's back to where he was. He thought he had found salvation. He thought he was going to be safe, but now he's wandering again. He knows Saul's going to come back for him. And so he's back to hiding in hills, back to hiding in caves, back to going small town to small town, trying not to be recognized, even though he's a celebrity, because he doesn't want Saul to find him." [15:46] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "That's the lesson for us to do if you're walking through sadness. How do I align my heart to know that the God is close to me? How do I align my heart to know that the God is present with me? And God is with me, and he's going to see me through the sadness. He's going to be there with me. That is a true scripture that we've got to lean into. I asked permission to tell the story. My mom gave it to me. Some of you know, my father passed away about two months ago. And so, you know, after being married since 1983, we have 40 plus years, I guess. I didn't do the math on that. But my mom finds herself alone, right, without her husband. And we've been checking on her and texting her, seeing how she's doing, kind of regularly." [17:02] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "If you're going through sadness, you're wrestling through some things, God is near, and he wants you to know that. He wants you to feel his presence. He wants you to know that he's right there next to you. He says, the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. He rescues those who suffer. He rescues those who suffer. He rescues those who suffer. He rescues those who suffer. Spirits are crushed. When he talks about spirits being crushed, it's the same idea as being brokenhearted. It's that same feeling. He says, hey, God's presence is there, but not just as God is close and his presence is there. God is and will be the rescuer." [19:12] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "We can't be afraid of sadness. We've got to let ourselves be sad. We talked about not wanting to cry, not wanting to be like Debbie Downer to everybody's party, but God created you with emotion. Emotion's not a bad thing. In fact, when you cry, you actually detoxify your body. When you cry, you release oxytocin from your brain into your body, and it actually resets your nervous system to give you a sense of calm. That's why if you've ever had that big cry and afterwards you can take that deep breath and you feel good, that's God's biological way of helping you process sadness and emotion." [23:07] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "We have to step into our emotion. We have to be okay with sin. We have to be okay with sadness. God gave it to us to process, but it also helps us draw near to God because God is close in our sadness. And it helps us see the rescuer do amazing things, like Lazarus coming back from the dead. So, step number one, if you're not walking in sadness, or maybe you're that person that goes, hey, I don't ever cry, it's okay. We have to step into the humanity that God created us to be." [27:12] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "The message is still for you because it may be that God has called you to be used of Him to be present in somebody's life or to be the rescuer. There's a story of a lady. Her name's Betty Tucker. She's a cook at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and she's been there, I think it was 43 years at the hospital. 28 years she's worked the night shift at the hospital as a cook. And in the night shift, it's a little bit lower staff. And so she does the cooking, but she also delivers a lot of meals to rooms for people. And she became somewhat of a story because of people's stories about how Betty had spoken into their life." [30:12] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?