I Can’t Handle This...
Part One – Stress and Anxiety
Leader Guide
Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble. He also said that He was sharing this odd bit of news with us so that “in Me you may have peace.” God loves you. He knows your pain, stress, and struggles. Jesus has overcome the world and death, yet we still suffer today. Paul gives us the strategy for releasing those anxieties and fears and focusing on God.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. How long has it been since your last “I can’t handle this” moment? Last week? Last month? This morning? Would you share in just one word what caused it?
Leader Note: Don’t push for details, but listen for words like relationships, forgiveness, work/life balance, economy, health, finances. Take time—after this question—to pray. Pray for peace, comfort, and for all members to be able to lay aside burdens in this time together.
2. Turn Cares into Prayers. Read the first half of Philippians 4:6 and then 1 Peter 5:7. When you are worried or fearful, what is your first response? What is God’s desire for you in these situations? How good are you at bringing, casting, and leaving your cares with God? How could you get better at doing this? Would mentally “giving up the kettlebell” help you remember this?
Leader Note: Prayer is God’s answer to our anxiety and stress. No matter our concerns, God knows them and wants to bear them. One way to leave it with Him is to write it down, along with the date you prayed and gave it to God. Leader, if you wish, play this video about bringing your sin, your failures, and your worries to God and laying them there at His feet: Margaret Becker’s “Just Come In.”
3. Get Grateful. Read the second half of Philippians 4:6, Psalm 109:30, and Philippians 4:4. In the second half of verse six, what two verbs do you find? What kind of thanks does the Psalms verse describe? How does Philippians 4:4 speak to contentment? How does gratitude ease worry and stress? Do you have a “God is Good” note that encourages you during hard times? Go back to the list (question #2) you started of prayers and concerns and write down answers to prayer as God responds. Remind yourself of God’s faithfulness. Say out loud: “God’s got this; I can trust Him.”
Leader Note: Encourage your group to start a “God’s been good to me” list. Encourage them to read Psalm 109:30 daily. Encourage them to write down the promises of God which apply to their situation. If they don’t know any, ask them to do some google searches. Here’s a sample website.
4. Worship While Waiting. Read Psalm 46:10, Psalm 71:14, and Philippians 4:7. What does the first verse tell you to do? What must you do to be in God’s presence? What is your action step from the second verse? What is the result found in Philippians 4:7? Are you surprised to see the word “minds” in that verse?
Leader Note: All of us must learn to turn off all the distractions (music, tv, phone, or the stressors we are focused on) so that we can “be still” in God’s presence and sense His love for us. When we are with Him, He is Peace (Ephesians 2:14), and His peace will guard our hearts and MINDS!
5. Commit: Each of these actions – pray, be grateful, wait with joy – are all ways to get into God’s presence. This week, take time to talk to God about your problems. Write them down and leave them there. Give thanks and tell God that you know He is faithful and that you are choosing to trust Him. Thank Him for His past rescue and provision. Ask Him to help any unbelief so that you do have faith to trust Him. Worship Him, throughout the situation and throughout the day, and His presence will bring you peace.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
6. How do you reconcile Paul’s instruction to “rejoice always” with his personal life and trials? Look at the following Scriptures. If you are in a desperate situation right now, privately make a list of your own struggles. Then, make a list of Paul’s suffering and decide if he has credibility to speak into your situation. If so, list any actions he suggests in order to bear up under trouble. List any benefits he has experienced due to his suffering.
a. 2 Corinthians 11:23-30:
b. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
c. Philippians 4:11-13:
d. Romans 8:16-18:
e. Philippians 3:7-11:
f. 2 Timothy 3:10-17:
g. Philippians 1:12-14: