Languishing to Flourishing

Mark Batterson
Feb 26, 2023
3 min read

https://vimeo.com/601502099

In psychology, mental health has a scale from FLOURISHING to DEPRESSION. FLOURISHING is evidenced by things like optimism and empathy and authenticity. DEPRESSION is evidenced by things like hopelessness and helplessness. In between FLOURISHING and DEPRESSION, there is what Adam Grant calls “the neglected middle child of mental health,” and it may be the “the dominant emotion of 2021.” Languishing is basically BLAH. It’s a feeling of apathy. It lacks focus, motivation, and vision. There are no easy answers or quick fixes, but there is a way out.

Message begins at 16:22.

The Best Is Yet to Come: From Languishing to Flourishing Sept 12

Speaker: Dr. Mark Batterson

Scripture: Nehemiah 1

Series Overview

We live at the intersection of two theologies, two realities. The faithfulness of God is pursuing from the

past—SO FAR SO GOD. And the sovereignty of God is setting us up for the future. We live forwards, but

God is working backward. God is ordering our footsteps. God is preparing good works. We live in a fallen

world, a broken world, but heaven is invading earth right here, right now. We don’t believe in happily ever

after. We believe in something so much bigger and better and longer—happily FOREVER after. THE BEST

IS YET TO COME.

Series Discussion Questions:

● Where do I see God at work in my life?

Message Overview

In psychology, mental health has a scale from FLOURISHING to DEPRESSION. FLOURISHING is evidenced

by things like optimism and empathy and authenticity. DEPRESSION is evidenced by things like

hopelessness and helplessness. In between FLOURISHING and DEPRESSION, there is what Adam Grant

calls “the neglected middle child of mental health,” and it may be the “the dominant emotion of 2021.”

Languishing is basically BLAH. It's a feeling of apathy. It lacks focus, motivation, and vision. There are no

easy answers or quick fixes, but there is a way out.

Message-Specific Discussion Questions:

How do we go from languishing to flourishing?

Read Nehemiah 1:

▪ Nehemiah is no expert in construction or design. God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the

called.

Page 1

Sermon Discussion Guide

The Best is Yet to Come

▪ AGod sized vision is going to be beyond your ability, beyond your ability, and beyond your

resources

▪ What is one strength God has given you?

▪ 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “…My power works BEST in weakness”. What do we think about that

scares you? Perhaps something impossible to do without divine intervention?

Read Psalm 56:8. Tears are one way we worship God.

Our emotions often double as God ordained passions. Take time to reflect:

▪ What makes you cry? What makes you sad? What makes you pound your fist on the table?

What makes you mad?

▪ What lights your fire: What puts a smile on your face and lets you feel closest to God?

Reflect on Psalm 37:4. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your

heart

▪ This “desire test” is a great reminder to check your motives and emotions. Alignment with

scripture helps us keep from “getting ahead of the Ark” (God’s leading)

▪ Praise God for opposition – where are you experiencing opposition?

▪ Prayer for the favor of God– what are 5 prayers for favor you can add to your prayer time this

week?

Read Isaiah 58:12: 2021 is an outrageous time to dream!

▪ What is a dream inside your heart that feels outrageous right now?

Prayer: Lord change the desires within me to reveal my God ordained passions

Don’t put a period where God puts a comma.

By faith, the best is yet to come.

Practical Application

o When Nehemiah gets to the city of Jerusalem, he tours the ruins in private, reflecting on the desire

God gave him. Take time to journal what God is putting on your heart, this week.

o Plug into a small group ncc.re/groups. Commissioned is a great way to engage further into this

discussion of how God works in us and through us

o Climb the stairs to the Upper Zoom each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:14am. We’ll

come together as a community to start our days in His presence together, listening intently, and

responding in prayer. Register at ncc.re/UpperZoom