Calm My Anxious Heart

Adapted from the book Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow, learn to move past a temporary feeling of happiness to a steadfast satisfaction that comes from within.

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A Life of Contentment | Calm My Anxious Heart #1

Posted: January 15, 2021
Contentment isn’t about a temporary feeling of happiness. It’s a steadfast satisfaction that comes from within.

Talking Points:

  • Contentment is a state of peace separate from our circumstances. J.I. Packer says, “Contentment is essentially a matter of accepting from God’s hand what He sends because we know that He is good and therefore it is good.” Philippians 4:12
  • The key to our contentment lies in our perspective. Our perspective is limited. God’s perspective is limitless. He sees past, present and future. He knows the whole story from beginning to end so his perspective is more comprehensive and therefore more valuable to us. Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 40:28-31
  • The more we read God’s word, and apply it to our lives, the more our lives will be filled with God’s perspective. And, the more we understand his perspective, the more content we will become. 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 3:8-9
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Share about a person in your life who seems to have it all yet never seems satisfied. Why do you think they struggle to be satisfied?
  3. Do you know someone who doesn’t have much yet seems at peace with their life? To what would they attribute their peace and happiness?
  4. Think about the definition of contentment. Have you ever experienced a time when you were scared but had a peace about the situation? Explain.
  5. Read Isaiah 40:28-31 J.I Packer says that we can trust God because he is good. Do you believe that? Explain.
  6. Read Philippians 4:12. What do you think Paul’s secret to contentment was? How does our perspective change our outlook on life? Give an example of how your attitude affected the way you experienced something.
  7. Why is it that we tend to learn more from the harder things in life than from the good things? How has God used a challenge in your life to strengthen you?
  8. Read 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:8-9. How does God’s word help us in life? How will learning more about God’s ways help you face future struggles?
  9. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

This lesson has been adapted from chapter 1 of Linda Dillow’s Calm My Anxious Heart novel.

 

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Finding Contentment in the Face of Trials | Calm My Anxious Heart #2

Posted: January 22, 2021
If we want to experience contentment in the face of our trials, we need to do our part and let God do his part.

Talking Points:

  • Our part: Don’t worry but pray with thankful hearts. God wants us to think about his perspective first. Philippians 4:6
  • God’s part: He will give us peace. When we turn to God in our time of struggle, he promises to be there and to grant us peace. Philippians 4:7
  • Here are some practical things we can do to overcome worry to find contentment.
    • Stop and pray specifically for the thing that is bringing worry
    • Memorize Philippians 4:6
    • Remember the things God has already done in your life for which you are thankful
    • Choose to focus your thoughts on the positive things
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. On a scale from 1-10, how often do you worry? Where would your friends and family place you?
  3. Think about a situation that is bringing you angst. What do you fear the most regarding that situation?
  4. Read Philippians 4:6. Why is worry an unhelpful response? How does prayer help us? How does being thankful for the past help us for the future?
  5. Read Philippians 4:7. What does God’s peace feel like to you? Why do you think we’re promised peace and not something else?
  6. Read Philippians 4:8. Why does it matter what we choose to think about? How can the 4 practical steps help you to find contentment in your current trial?
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

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Finding Contentment in Who We Are and What We Do | Calm My Anxious Heart #3

Posted: January 28, 2021
The Bible says that God fashioned each of us together just the way he wanted in order to create a unique piece of art designed for specific purposes.

Talking Points:

  • God created you just the way he wanted you. He didn’t make a mistake when he made you tall or short or a red head. The Bible says that he fashioned each of us together just the way he wanted to create a unique piece of art designed for specific purposes. Psalm 139:13-16
  • We need to embrace our story. We need to accept the roles God places in our lives whether it’s wife, widow, single, mother, rich, or poor. God has already written our story and has equipped us with the traits and tools to fulfill our purpose. Jeremiah 29:11
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. If God let you have a do over, what physical traits would you want to change? What about in your personality? Explain.
  3. In your opinion, why are women typically dissatisfied with their appearance? Why are women so adept at the comparison game?
  4. Read Psalm 139:13-16. Identify all that this passage says about how God created you? How should this change the way you view yourself?
  5. Share some of the significant storylines or roles of your life. How have you seen God prepare and equip you for those roles?
  6. Read Jeremiah 29:11. Identify some of the highlights of your life. How did those events benefit you as a person? Identify some of the lowlights of your life. How did those events shape you as a person?
  7. What do you need to start doing to find contentment in who you are and what you do?
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

This lesson has been adapted from chapter 3-4 of Linda Dillow’s Calm My Anxious Heart novel.

 

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Finding Contentment in Relationships and Possessions | Calm My Anxious Heart #4

Posted: February 5, 2021
True contentment can’t be found in people or possessions. Only God can bring us true fulfillment and happiness.

Talking Points:

  • We will never find contentment if we only focus on the imperfection in others. We will be miserable if we expect perfection from imperfect people. And we are imperfect, too, and need to realize the part we play in failed relationships.
  • Forgiveness is a necessary step in healing a relationship. Extending forgiveness is what frees us to move on from the junk to a place of healing and reconciliation. This is what Jesus did for us. Colossians 3:12-13
  • A.W. Tozer said it like this: “Within the human heart things have taken over. God’s gifts now take the place of God, and the whole course of nature is upset by the monstrous substitution. We have mixed up what we serve and what we use. Sadly, many serve things and use God.”  Exodus 20:4
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Share a time when you felt hurt or betrayed by someone. What was your emotional reaction to that situation? What happened with that relationship?
  3. What happens when we put too much stock in our relationships? Why is it dangerous to expect perfection from others?
  4. What are some of your imperfections that get in the way of having healthy relationships?
  5. Read Colossians 3:12-13. List all the qualities you should possess. How could these qualities change your relationships?  Why is forgiveness so freeing?
  6. What are your most prized possessions? Why are those things so important to you?
  7. Re-read the quote from A.W. Tozer. How have you been guilty of worshiping your stuff instead of God?
  8. Read Exodus 20:4. What are some practical things you can do to start prioritizing God over everything else?
  9. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

This lesson has been adapted from Linda Dillow’s Calm My Anxious Heart novel.

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Worry, Faith and Trust | Calm My Anxious Heart #5

Posted: February 12, 2021
Worry is a waste of energy yet we all do it anyways. Find out a better way to live your life.

Talking Points:

  • The truth is, worry adds no value to our lives. It has no power to bring about productive change. All it does is choke out hope and proper perspective. This is why Jesus tells us not to worry. Matthew 6:31-33
  • Faith is the antidote to worry and the bridge to true contentment. Faith is releasing any control we think we have and letting God lead the way. Psalm 18:2
  • God is the all-knowing creator of everything. He has the power and the desire to work all situations in our lives for our good. Romans 8:28
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What does worry look like to you? How has the long shadow of worry held you back in your life?
  3. Read Matthew 6:31-33. Jesus says that worry is what unbelievers do who don’t know God. How should that challenge us as believers?
  4. Define faith in your own words. Why is faith important to overcoming worry?
  5. Read Philippians 4:6-7. What are some of the areas where you need to trust God more? What are some practical things you can do to stop worrying and start trusting God?
  6. In the past, how have you judged God based on your circumstances? How did that affect your relationship with God?
  7. Read Psalm 18:2. Identify all the things this verse says about God. Why is he worthy of our trust?
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

This lesson has been adapted from Linda Dillow’s Calm My Anxious Heart novel.

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