Open Hands

Today we’re really excited to launch new series called Emotions- here’s why, we all have emotions/lots of them, yet we’ve gotten progressively worse at handling them well…

Don’t know if you noticed…over last couple years, everybody’s emotions seemed to go from level 2/3 to like 8/9… things ppl used to be chill/relaxed @: FB comment/indecisiveness in drive-thru/12 items in 10 item or less line/ forgetting blinker when merging… things ppl used to overlook-not now! Ppl go from 0-10 real fast w/ their emotions!

ChatGPT Story… research…ppl talking @ chatGPT…what better way to learn @ emotions than to ask robot…typed in, “tell me @ human emotions”…Human emotions are complex psychological & physiological experiences that arise in response to various internal & external stimuli. Emotions are often accompanied by a range of physiological responses… blah blah blah, stopped reading…don’t need cpu to tell me @ emotions, I was just @ camp w/ 350 teenagers, I have PhD in emotions… we know all @ emotions…& emotions are not bad, humans/angel/God experience emotion, but it’s what we do w/ our emotion that really matters… which is why I’m excited @ this series bc we’re gonna learn what God tells us to do w/ our emotions…

EXPOSITION (5.5/9.5)

Paul says in Php 4:6-7 NIV: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, (when feeling every emotion/ in every situation) by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Idk @ you but I could use some peace & some help guarding my heart/mind…but I don’t want you to miss the idea of this verse…Jesus/his peace/spirit will guard my heart/mind (Jesus will guard my emotions)… if I let him

In other words- if Jesus is guarding my heart/mind/emotions, then I don’t have to…

This is important- bc I think we all know we need a guard/we want a guard- our emotions are raw/uncontrolled- we know we need a guard… but today I want to teach you that when you let Jesus/his peace/spirit be your guard, you can stop being so guarded… like today, if you choose to let Jesus be your guard, you can let down your guard

Psychologists tell us there are 6 core human emotions… you kidding me? My wife has @ 6000 emotions… I have @ 2… frustrated when hungry/happy when full… but when you study it, you find that all those feelings are really just variations of the 6 core emotions-here they are: Sadness, Disgust, Surprise, Happiness, Fear, Anger…

Here’s good news-if you’re feeling any of those emotions today, we’re gonna show you what God says @ each of them over next 6 weeks…but today we’re gonna begin w/ 1 of my fav emotions: (confetti popper) SURPRISE!

How many of y’all love the element of surprise? Surprise parties/movie endings/visits from friends? In fact, they say surprise is a universal emotion…like you’re born to feel emotion of surprise/as you grow older-still thrive on surprise/ & supposedly, idk if I believe this, but even all creatures can be surprised… I guess it must be true!

Idk how you all feel @ surprise, but let me tell you something… God created the emotion we call surprise/gave you ability to feel surprise…& today I want to show you that God designed you to be open to surprise bc Faith Thrives In Surprise/unexpected/unpredicted… so let your guard down/get ready for it bc God wants to stretch your faith/grow your trust/move in your life, & the way he often does that is through this emotion we call SURPRISE!

Pastor Stu Video: 18:19…what is God wanting to do?...fight or flight… open your hands…count of 3…surprise!

CONCLUSION (5/32)

That’s how we’re called to respond to the surprises of life bc that’s what allows our faith to thrive…bc faith thrives in surprise… Surprise Story…think @ some of surprises in my life, moments were I felt emotion of surprise & I tried to respond w/open hands & as result-saw God work…called to ministry-could’ve tried to control/run away, but I trusted-& surprise!… surprise of fam leaving church we planted-not easy/v hard, struggle of surprise was real, but I watched Jesus work in my life/grow faith/matured/transformed me…surprises of ppl in/out of life/marriage/ministry/covid-so difficult, yet God sharpened/developed…& bc every time there was surprise, I tried to respond w/ open hands

I want to encourage you all today- when you open your hands to the emotion of surprise/element of unexpected- you invite God to work in ways that always exceed your expectations… different=disappointment or development

So even when it’s hard/want to control/everything feels uncertain- here’s why you can live w/ open hands- bc Even Though You Might Be Surprised, God Never Is! God’s never surprised/thrown off guard/bewildered…he’s in control/ has a plan/working for your good/power over all things/loves you…he’s consistent/faithful/trustworthy/constant/true

Idk what you’re going through/chaotic life is…if you’re looking for certainty today, don’t look for it in circumstances/ control/others, look for it in Jesus…he is certain & you can trust him w/ every surprise life brings…

& in fact, if you will trust him/put guard down/live w/ open hands, he will turn every surprise into a story…Let’s pray

KNOW (BOTTOM LINE): Faith thrives in surprise.

DO: Live with open hands.

FEEL: Happy; light-hearted.

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