Looking Above Episode 46 - Emotional Rest

03/22/23 • 39 min

This season we're talking about rest. In this episode, Karen and Lindsey sit down to discuss emotional rest. They discuss the dangers of hiding and inauthenticity and the necessity for authentic expression of emotions. Learn how empathy can both be a blessing and a curse when it somes to emotional rest. It would be highly valuable to sit down and talk with a friend or small group about these questions:

Have you ever thought about how social media affects your emotions? Consider it now. What do you think the effect is?
Discuss empathy. Are you someone who is highly empathetic? How do the emotions of others affect you? Are you able to recognize when you are absorbing someone else's emotions and making them your own?
Respond to this quote: "Research show that introverts are more likely to be affected by others' positive emotions whereas extroverts tend to be more affected by others' negative emotional expressions. Women tend to be vulnerable to absorbing the stress and negativity of those around them." (p.62-63 Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD)
Can you give an example of a time you entered into the emotions of a friend or loved one (either positive or negative emotions) similar to Karen and the older gentleman? How is this Scriptural? What was the outcome for you? What was the outcome for them?
Do you have a group of friends with whom you can be emotionally authentic? What does this look like?
Do you regularly feel like you are managing your emotions? Where do we cross the line from managing our emotions (so we have appropriate responses in different situations) to hiding and being inauthentic with our emotions? Relate your own hiding to how Adam and Eve hid.
Read Exodus 14:14. Discuss the gift of cessation. How does ceasing bless us in relation to our emotions?
Read Matthew 11:28-30 and Philippians 4:6-7. Discuss the gift of exchange. What is God promising in these verses? Why do we not take Him up on this offer more regularly?
Try journaling this week. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day and be authentic with God as you share your emotions with him. Ask Him to exchange your negative emotions for rest and peace.

Have you ever thought about how social media affects your emotions? Consider it now. What do you think the effect is?
Discuss empathy. Are you someone who is highly empathetic? How do the emotions of others affect you? Are you able to recognize when you are absorbing someone else's emotions and making them your own?
Respond to this quote: "Research show that introverts are more likely to be affected by others' positive emotions whereas extroverts tend to be more affected by others' negative emotional expressions. Women tend to be vulnerable to absorbing the stress and negativity of those around them." (p.62-63 Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD)
Can you give an example of a time you entered into the emotions of a friend or loved one (either positive or negative emotions) similar to Karen and the older gentleman? How is this Scriptural? What was the outcome for you? What was the outcome for them?
Do you have a group of friends with whom you can be emotionally authentic? What does this look like?
Do you regularly feel like you are managing your emotions? Where do we cross the line from managing our emotions (so we have appropriate responses in different situations) to hiding and being inauthentic with our emotions? Relate your own hiding to how Adam and Eve hid.
Read Exodus 14:14. Discuss the gift of cessation. How does ceasing bless us in relation to our emotions?
Read Matthew 11:28-30 and Philippians 4:6-7. Discuss the gift of exchange. What is God promising in these verses? Why do we not take Him up on this offer more regularly?
Try journaling this week. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day and be authentic with God as you share your emotions with him. Ask Him to exchange your negative emotions for rest and peace.

Previous Episode

Looking Above Episode 45 - Be Still & Know

This season we're talking about rest. In this episode, Brooklyn and Sara talk about Psalm 46:10 and what it can teach about having a good foundation of who God is. They discuss the importance of having a relationship with God and knowing who He is in the midst of storms:

Read Psalm 46 together.
Do you have a hard time being still?
What could/does being still look like for you?
Who is God? Make a list of His attributes.
Do you have heart knowledge or head knowledge of who He is?
Do you live more so out of trust or out of obedience?
What does being still or in solitude make you feel?
Give an example of a storm you’ve gone through that having a foundation of who God is helped you.
Where do you seek comfort or encouragement from first?
What is a way you can practice “being still” this week to better know who God is? Make a goal to practice it this week.

Next Episode

Looking Above Episode 47 - Creative Rest

This season we're talking about rest. In this episode, Karen and Brooklyn discuss creative rest. Creative rest is not doing arts and crafts, it actually involves appreciating God's handiwork. If the weather is nice, you should sit outside or take a walk while you listen to this episode. After listening, it would be highly valuable to sit down and talk with a friend or small group about these questions:

Are you more of a mountains or ocean person?
Think about the most beautiful or breathtaking thing you've ever seen in creation. Describe it to the group. What were your emotions when you first saw that thing/place?
Do you think you have lost appreciation for the simple beauty of creation as you have gotten older? What is still able to captivate you?
What about your life is the most creatively draining? (When do you have to think outside the box, trouble shoot, or be creative?)
Respond to the idea that wasted time is not a waste.
Do you ever feel like the darkness and sin in the world are overwhelming? How do you cope with that?
Read Psalm 19:1-4. How does creation point you to God?
Respond to this quote from Sacred Rest, "His presence is how He connects us to His rest. It is part invitation and part prescription." (Dalton-Smith, 99)
Do one of these options this week: a. Set aside an extended time for creative rest. Make a plan and do it; b. Practice the flow-break rhythm. Set a timer and take a break every ninety minutes to two hours.