God’s Plan For Emotional Rest
Pastor Doug Heisel - June 28, 2026
He restores my soul.
Psalm 23:3
How the LORD brings rest on the inside.
1. The LORD offers His GRACE and FORGIVENESS freely, generously, and continually.
Psalm 38:4,6 – My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear...I am bowed down and brought low; all day long I go about mourning.
Romans 3:23-24 – All of us have sinned...yet God declares us “not guilty,” if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in mercy freely takes away our sins.
(also: Psalm 51)
Colossians 2:13-14 – He has forgiven all your sins He has utterly wiped out the evidence of broken commandments which always hung over our heads,
and completely annulled it by nailing it to the cross!
2. The LORD willingly ENTERS our grief.
Isaiah 53:3-5 – He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins! But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
Two important steps when you are grieving (2 Samuel 12)
1. Invite GOD into your grief.
2.TRUST the LORD with what is still AHEAD.
Isaiah 61:3 – To all who mourn...He will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness.
3. The LORD gives us the antidote to our GRUDGES.
Romans 12:19 – Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
The Outcome of Emotional Rest…
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. – Psalm 23:5b
Life Group Discussion & Questions
BREAKING THE ICE: When you were growing up, what did you do when you got hurt, scared, or upset? Was there a person, place, or activity that brought you comfort?
1. Read Psalm 23:1-4. David says, “He restores my soul.” The word “restore” means to refresh, renew, or bring back to health. When you hear the phrase emotional health or emotional healing, what comes to mind? Why do you think so many people struggle with damaged emotions even when life appears fine on the outside?
2. This Sunday we looked at three pathways God uses to restore our souls:
Receive the fullness of God’s grace and forgiveness.
(God’s antidote for guilt and regret)
Bring God into your grief.
(God’s presence and power when life brings loss)
Forgive as God forgave you.
(God’s remedy for bitterness and resentment)
Which of these three areas feels most relevant to your life right now? Why?
BRINGING IT HOME: What is one practical step you can take this week to cooperate with God in the area where you need His restoration most? Close by praying for one another, asking God to restore, heal, and strengthen every area of your soul.