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March 23, 2025
God Heals the Pain you Feel
In week five of Emotional Regulation, Pastor Chip explores how emotions are meant to be felt, a truth that is evident even throughout the Bible.
Dive deeper into the message with these discussion questions!
General:
- Do you ever feel pressure to “fix it” or suppress your emotions rather than truly feel them? Where do you think that pressure comes from?
- When was the last time you gave yourself permission to fully feel your emotions without judgment or trying to rush through them?
- Like Joseph, who had dreams and was called to something greater than himself, have you felt God’s calling on your life?
- What stands out to you most about Joseph’s ability to forgive his brothers and acknowledge God’s plan? Is there a situation in your life where you need a similar perspective?
- Pastor Chip ended by sharing the moment in Acts 28 where Paul is bitten by a snake, yet God uses his wounded hand to heal others. What might God want to do through your “woundedness”?
- What if the very area of emotional pain or hardship in your life became the area God uses most to minister to others? How does that idea challenge or encourage you?
Take Home 1: Our emotions around and real and they are valid
- Joseph couldn't control himself and wept loudly (Gen. 45:1-2). Do you tend to view emotions—especially intense ones—as something that should be expressed or something that needs to be controlled or hidden? Why?
- Re-read Rom. 12:15. What does it look like to Biblically empathize with our Christian brothers and sisters? How easy or difficult is it for you to sit with others in their pain without trying to fix it?
- Which is more natural for you: celebrating with others or grieving with others? Why do you think that is?
- Pastor Chip shared some practical tools for managing emotions: slowing down to breathe, moving your body, cooling your body temperature, and bringing honest prayers to God. Which of these might be most helpful for you right now, and why?
- Do you believe God can handle your raw, unfiltered emotions? If not, what keeps you from being emotionally honest with Him?
Take Home 2: We must learn to acknowledge our hurt and pain
- Joseph acknowledged what his brothers had done to him (Gen. 45:4). How easy or difficult is it for you to name and acknowledge when you’ve been hurt?
- Pastor Chip said, “Joseph’s emotions needed to be expressed and not swept under the rug.” Are there any emotions in your life right now that you’ve been avoiding, suppressing, or minimizing?
- What do you think is the difference between “validating” your emotions and “being ruled” by them? How do you typically respond when you’re hurting?
Take Home 3: As believers we must cling to the sovereignty of God (Gen. 45:5)
- (Question about God’s sovereignty)
- What’s the difference between minimizing pain and seeing it through the lens of God’s greater plan? How can we do the latter without pretending everything is just okay?
- Pastor Chip quoted, “Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Is there any unforgiveness or bitterness you’re holding onto that’s affecting your emotional or spiritual health?
- Pastor Chip read Rev. 21:1–5 toward the end of the message, pointing us to the hope of a renewed world. How does this future promise give you perspective or comfort when facing emotional struggles in the present?
Message Series
E.R (Emotional Regulation)Message Tags
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Teacher
Dr. Chip Bennett
Senior Pastor/Teaching Elder
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