Our previous lesson considered the problem of "anxiety"

Transcription

1 Overcoming Boredom

2 Our previous lesson considered the problem of "anxiety" A problem which according to the NIMH... 1) Afflicts more than 23 million people in this country 2) Disrupts work, family, social lives, some becoming housebound 3) The most common of all the mental disorders, BUT a problem which faith in Jesus can help us to overcome... Jesus provides the antidote to anxiety- FAITH Mt 6: ) Reminding us of God's providential love and care 2) Teaching us where to place our priorities in life 3) Revealing our own limitations (cannot add one cubit )

3 ANOTHER PROBLEM MANY FACE TODAY IS THE OPPOSITE OF ANXIETY; IT S BOREDOM A. Whereas Anxiety is a state of uneasiness and apprehension, Boredom is a condition of mental weariness, listlessness, and discontent B. Anxiety is often the cause of thinking we have too much to do at one time, boredom is result of thinking there is nothing to do C. Anxiety is more often effects adults, whereas boredom is often the complaint of children (What parent hasn't heard their child say, "I'm bored"?)

4 UNDERSTANDING BOREDOM Garfield the Cat s tips on: How to tell if you are really bored : a. You paint little faces on your feet, and pretend each toe is a person. b. You spend hours watching bread mold. c. You braid your eyebrows. d. You watch a 3-hour documentary on sewage treatment. e. You talk to your little brother. f. You wonder if you're really bored?

5 UNDERSTANDING BOREDOM [Seriously], Boredom is: "a condition of mental weariness, listlessness, and discontent." (Synonyms: blahs, doldrums, restlessness, tedium). (Merriam Webster Dictionary) It is a form of learned helplessness. What is of interest is the statement that "the word (boredom) did not even enter the English vocabulary until the Enlightenment of the 18th century, the beginning of the modern era. (Gene Edward Veith, Boredom and the Law of Diminishing Returns)

6 DANGERS OF BOREDOM Boredom has been studied as being related to drug abuse among teens. One study found that many pathological gamblers seek stimulation to avoid states of boredom and depression. Boredom is also associated with earlier death and with anxiety, eating disorders, hostility, anger, sexual promiscuity, bad grades, and low work performance and even suicide. Bored workers were 2.5 times more likely to die of a heart problem than those who hadn't reported being bored.

7 THE PROBLEM OF BOREDOM Boredom is often the result of too much unstructured time, (often) too much wealth, and too little work and personal responsibility. One problem is television, videos, and computer games over stimulating the senses and leading children to believe that real life is boring. Boredom is at epidemic stages among children today.

8 THE PROBLEM OF BOREDOM a. Unchallenging jobs b. Unfulfilled expectations c. Lack of physical activity d. Being too much of a spectator and too little of a participant in one s own life!

9 OVERCOMING When a Christian is "bored"... a. He is usually inactive in his service to the Lord b. He is therefore does not feel useful to the Lord Boredom has been called "a chronic symptom of a pleasure-obsessed age." But, for the Christian with Faith in Jesus, it is possible to overcome boredom! [Here is how...]

10 CHANGE YOUR FOCUS Boredom is an obsession with self and/or earthly possessions 1. Jesus teaches us to Deny ourselves - Lk 9:23-24 a) People who are obsessed with self are never happy. b) People who lose themselves in service to God are never bored! 2. Change the object of your affections - Mt 6:19-21 a) The passing pleasure of earthly things is fleeting at best - Heb 11:25 b) The only permanent possession we have is in heaven, and our affections should be placed on it.

11 GET INVOLVED IN SERVICE Many people are bored because they think their efforts mean very little But Jesus taught that: - The saving of one soul - Mk 16: The gaining of one soul - Mt 16:26 Worth more than the whole world!

12 THE APOSTLES JOY The apostles found their service to God to be a source of great joy A. When John saw the fruits of his labors, he wrote he had no greater joy 3 Jn 3-4 B. The prospects of seeing his converts in the presence of the Lord gave Paul hope and joy for the future! 1 Thes 2: When one is engaged in the work of Jesus, their labors are not in vain, and they have eternal consequences (Eph 6:12-13); How can one be bored with that?

13 WISDOM OF THE WISE Solomon Sandwich Solomon learned after a life of excess that this world has nothing lasting to offer... A. Though exciting at first, it all proved "vanity" - Eccl 2:10-11 B. He concluded that the true purpose of man was to simply "fear God and keep His commandments" - Eccl 12:13

14 JESUS DEFEATS BOREDOM Boredom is a result of pre-occupation with the self and with the "vanities" of this life... Jesus came to deliver us from any sense of listlessness and discontent. He does so by giving us purpose and direction in life, that we might find great joy in serving God and His children!