Sermon Title: "Whole Hearted: Embracing Emotional Health in Our Spiritual Journey"

Introduction

- Start by defining emotionally unhealthy spirituality: the condition where one's emotional health is neglected or ignored within their spiritual life, leading to superficiality, strained relationships, and a hindered relationship with God.

"Emotional health and spiritual maturity are inseparable. It is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature." Peter Scazzero

- Introduce the central scripture: Psalm 139:23-24,

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my concerns.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me;

lead me in the everlasting way.

What we are asking God here is we are inviting God to search our hearts and lead us in the way everlasting, What is so important here is we are allowing God into all aspects of our being, including our emotional world.

The Signs of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality

Have you ever felt like you had to hide your feelings to seem more spiritually mature? Many of us experience something called emotionally unhealthy spirituality, where we think we need to suppress or ignore our emotions to be good Christians. But when we do this in reality what start to happen is this approach can actually move us away from the healthy, whole life God wants for us. Let's talk about some signs that show someone might be struggling with emotionally unhealthy spirituality:

1. *Ignoring Emotions*: If you find yourself or someone else acting like emotions such as anger, sadness, or fear just shouldn't exist, it's a sign of trouble. God created all our emotions, and they're all valid. Pretending they're not there doesn't make us more spiritual; it just makes us less honest with ourselves and with God.

2. *Spiritualizing Away Conflict*: Ever heard someone say, "Just pray about it," as if that's the answer to every conflict or problem, without actually dealing with the issue? This is about using spiritual language or practices to avoid facing real problems head-on. While prayer is powerful and essential, God also encourages us to actively work through our conflicts and challenges.

3. *Emotional Stoicism or Resilienceas Spiritual Maturity*: This is the belief that being spiritually mature means being completely calm and unaffected by what's going on around you. However, even Jesus showed strong emotions. He wept, he got angry, and he showed compassion. Being emotionally stoic isn't a sign of being close to God; it's a sign of not being fully open to the human experience God designed for us.

Recognizing these signs in ourselves or others is the first step toward healing and growth. It's okay to have emotions and to deal with conflict directly. This isn't a sign of weakness; it's a step toward becoming a more complete, spiritually healthy person.

- Emphasize how these behaviors can lead to a shallow spiritual life and strained relationships.

When we ignore our feelings, avoid dealing with problems by just saying "pray about it," or try to act like nothing ever bothers us, it's like putting a band-aid on a deep cut. At first, it might seem like a quick fix, but over time, it doesn't really solve anything. This approach can make our spiritual life feel shallow or empty. Instead of feeling close to God and others, we might start feeling disconnected and alone.

Here's why: Imagine you're building a house but only focusing on making the outside look good. Inside, the rooms are empty and the walls are weak. That's kind of what happens to our spiritual lives when we ignore our emotions and avoid real problems. Our faith might look strong on the outside, but on the inside, it's not built on anything solid.

This way of living can also hurt our relationships with friends and family. When we don't talk about how we really feel or work through disagreements, it's like we're not letting anyone fully into our lives. We might start to feel lonely and isolated because we're not sharing our true selves. Plus, others might feel like we're not there for them in a real way, either.

So, while it might seem easier to ignore our emotions or pretend everything's fine, in the long run, it's not helping us grow closer to God or to the people around us. To have a rich spiritual life and strong, healthy relationships, we need to be honest about our feelings and face our problems head-on.

The Importance of Emotional Health in Spiritual Life

The emotional expressions found in the word, deeply underscore the importance of emotional health in one's spiritual life. A compelling example is seen in the life of David, particularly through the Psalms. David openly expresses a wide range of emotions, from deep despair to joy, showcasing the role of emotional honesty in his relationship with God. For instance, Psalm 22 opens with David’s profound anguish, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Yet, it also includes affirmations of trust in God's deliverance. This psalm, among others, highlights that acknowledging and expressing our emotions is not only acceptable but vital in our spiritual journey.

David’s emotional transparency before God demonstrates that our spiritual life is not separate from our emotional life; instead, they are deeply intertwined. David’s willingness to lay bare his soul’s deepest cries and highest praises before God reflects a faith that encompasses the fullness of human experience. It reassures us that our emotional expressions, whether of sorrow, joy, fear, or gratitude, are an essential component of our relationship with God, fostering a deeper spiritual connection and growth. Through David's example, we see that embracing and expressing our emotions is not a sign of spiritual weakness but of authentic faith.

- Highlight that emotional health is not separate from spiritual health but is deeply interconnected. God cares about our emotional well-being and desires healing and wholeness for us.

Think of your emotional health and spiritual health as two pieces of the same puzzle. When David poured out all his feelings to God in the Psalms, he showed us that being open about our emotions is a key part of our relationship with God. It's like God is telling us, "I care about every part of you, including how you feel."

God wants us to be happy and healthy, not just in our bodies or minds, but in our hearts too. Our emotions matter to God, and being honest about them helps us grow closer to Him. So, taking care of our emotional health is not just good for us; it's a part of growing spiritually. God is with us in our happy moments and our tough ones, helping us to heal and be whole.

Here are some Steps Towards Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

1. *Self-Awareness*: Encourage the practice of regular self-examination before God (Psalm 139:23-24), acknowledging and naming one's emotions in prayer.

2. *Emotional Expression*: Validate the importance of expressing emotions in healthy ways, emphasizing that Jesus Himself expressed a range of emotions.

3. *Seeking Healing*: Address the importance of seeking healing for past hurts and traumas, which can be a root cause of emotionally unhealthy spirituality.

4. *Community Support*: Stress the role of the Christian community in supporting each other’s emotional and spiritual growth. Encourage open, honest conversations and accountability within small groups or mentor relationships.

Real-Life Application

- Offer practical steps for integrating emotional health into spiritual practices, such as incorporating lament and thanksgiving into personal devotion, practicing mindfulness and presence as forms of prayer, and engaging in Christian counseling or therapy if needed.

Conclusion

- Reaffirm that God desires wholeness for us that encompasses both our spiritual and emotional well-being.

- Challenge the youth and young adults to commit to pursuing emotional health as an integral part of their spiritual journey, ensuring a more authentic, deep, and fulfilling relationship with God and others.

Prayer

- Close with a prayer for courage, healing, and strength to pursue emotional and spiritual wholeness, asking for God’s guidance and wisdom in this journey.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ps 139:23–24.