What's weighing you down?
Hope4HeavyHearts is a ministry dedicated to serving people by helping them to overcome the issues that weigh our hearts down and to foster the virtues that allow us to live in freedom, peace, and joy.
Instilling Gratitude in Your Family
Pressure from the media and from people around us can rob us of the contentment God wants us to experience in all circumstances. While you read, be thinking about these questions:
- What gets in the way of our being content or grateful?
- How can we be more content by teaching others to be content?
- What are the four ideas suggested in this article that will nurture contentment and gratitude in ourselves and in our families?
Saved From Addiction
This week’s resources explore Addiction. God can use even the worst, most tragic things in our lives for His and our good purposes. While you listen, be thinking about key points:
- What is the starting point of being saved from a life of active addiction?
- What blessings has this man personally experienced in his life as a result of being saved from addiction?
- What is the main type of addiction treatment recommended by this podcast?
The Soul's Search for Hope
Maintaining and fostering hope is essential for a purposeful and fulfilling life. A life without hope is a life that is struggling and often seemingly empty. Harry Metzger explores the keys to nurturing hope no matter the current circumstances. Whether you listen to the audio or download the transcription below, be watching for:
- The difference between hope and 'wishful thinking'
- Attitudes that have enabled people to be hopeful in the worst circumstances
- What your hope should be based on
- Practical steps to nurture an attitude of hope in your life
What Does Real Forgiveness Look Like?
This week's resources address the issue of Forgiveness. Regardless of the harm that may have been done to us, it is important that we not allow that harm to do permanent damage. Here are some ideas to help you achieve forgiveness. While you listen, be watching for:
- Why should the process of forgiveness not be 'rushed'?
- What is the relationship between forgiving and forgetting?
- First forgiveness, then reconciliation?
- What Christian principles make forgiveness possible?
Anger Mismanagement
This week’s resources address the issue of Anger. Anger is a problem that is both deceptive and dangerous, because for the angry person all anger feels righteous. This session explores the nature of the angry heart. While you listen, be watching for:
- In the opening real-life examples, are the angry outbursts justified?
- What are some excuses people use for their anger?
- How does anger reveal the true nature of our hearts?
- How does secular psychology tend to treat 'anger management?'
- What are the 5 insights Mr. Newheiser gives on the true root of anger?
How Can Christ Help Me Overcome My Sinful Past
This week’s resources explore a Biblical perspective on why and how the very essence of the Christian faith is the path to freedom from guilt. While you listen, be watching for:
- How the Bible promises forgiveness for our transgressions, past, present, and future
- How God forgave and used very sinful people in the Bible to achieve His purposes. For example:
- King David had a man killed because he desired his wife (2 Samuel chapter 11)
- The apostle Paul merciless persecuted Christians before his conversion (Acts 8 chapter 2)
- How the errors of our past can make us useful to others.
Help, I Don't Know Where My Anxiety is Coming From
This week we explore Anxiety, especially when it is undefined. Listen in on this short but helpful podcast that explores the nature of anxiety and some ways to handle it. While you listen, be thinking about key points:
- Could this be a medical problem?
- You don't need answers before you ask God.
- Is you anxiety debilitating?
- Practical suggestions: putting your problems into words; serving others.
An Open Letter to the Discouraged Saint
This week’s resources explore Discouragement. While you read, be thinking about key points:
- What does it mean to be “in Christ”?
- What is a “saint”?
- What are “justification” and “sanctification”?
"If only..." Living with Regrets
This week’s resources explore past regrets. Is living with regret the right thing to do? Regardless of mistakes made in the past, it does not mean we must live with shame as a permanent companion for the rest of our lives. It is important that we consider whether it makes sense to hold onto regrets to prevent repeating past sins, or if this is false gospel. While you read, be thinking about key points:
- How do we deal with the feeling of "If only I had just..."?
- Is living with regret the right thing to do?
- In the example given, what is the goal Paul presses on toward?
Communication
This week we explore Communication. Listen to the mp3 recording, read the PDF, or use both together to follow along. Be thinking about key points:
- The power of our words to affect others.
- How much the Bible has to say about words.
- Practical tips to become a better communicator.
Is Patience Dangerous?
This week’s resources explore Patience. While you read, be thinking about key points:
- Patience is a virtue, right? So how can it be "dangerous"?
- Can patience have a 'dark side'? Check out this eye-opening view on the topic.
The Greatest Thing in the World
This week’s resources explore love. Is Love in fact the greatest thing in the world, the supreme good? While you listen, be thinking about key points:
- What are the component parts that make up love?
- Why is love greater than faith?
- How can love change our lives and the lives of people around us?
The Value of Grief
Is there anyone on this earth who has not experienced some level of grief? Perhaps this topic is relevant to you or will be at some time in your future. Or perhaps this will be useful in comforting a grieving friend or relative. In any case, this article provides a unique perspective on grief...it is valuable!
Note that this is the sixth article in a series of six. You may want to read all six, but it is not necessary to grasp this one.
That Elusive Thing called Joy
This week’s resources explore joy. We are all searching for joy, and yet, it is quite elusive for many. In this week’s lecture, we will explore some of the failed pursuits that have not led us to joy. And, on the other hand, we will look at the things that can bring us lasting joy.
Are You Burdened Out?
Feeling burned out, particularly from responsibilities for others? Perhaps this topic is relevant to you now or will be at some time in your future. Or perhaps this will be useful in comforting a burned-out friend or relative. In any case, this article offers an important perspective on bearing one another’s burdens. Be thinking about how we can be compassionate without being overwhelmed.
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