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1. Feeling worthless makes us sad
2. Achieving makes us feel worthwhile
3. Knowing God made us and bought us make us feel worthwhile
1. Picture of a Clown
2. Picture of Nick Vujicic
3. Picture of a Model Sailing Boat
4. Bible verse: Romans 5:8
A man went to the doctor because he felt very sad. The doctor gave him a medical examination and when he was finished he said, “I can’t find anything wrong with you physically. However, I think you may be feeling depressed. I would like to refer you to a psychologist. While you’re waiting for an appointment, I recommend that you go down to the circus that has just arrived in town; they have a world-class clown who is guaranteed to make you laugh; go see him – his name is Grimaldi.” The man stared at him and began to cry, he said ... “I AM THAT CLOWN, MY NAME IS GRIMALDI.”
Lots of people pretend to be happy when they are sad.
When we feel worthless, it makes us feel sad (1).
I wonder if there is something we can do to feel worthwhile.
Show picture: Nick was born with no arms and no legs. When he was born his mum and dad found his appearance a shock. After hearing of his parents initial reaction, he felt sad and worthless. However, Nick began to achieve some things in his life as he grew up. He taught himself to swim and began giving talks in schools. These talks encouraged students to dream about things they could achieve in their lives.
Nick gave these talks because he knew if other people achieved things in their life, they would feel more worthwhile too.
Achieving things makes us feel worthwhile and happy (2).
Sometimes the way we think stops us trying to achieve things.
I’m sure there were times Nick thought, “If I try, people are going to think I’m stupid.” But he didn’t let that thought stop him trying!
He probably thought that because of the way he was born it would be impossible to achieve anything. But he didn’t listen to that thought either!
Next time you begin to dream about the awesome things you could do, for example things that might make the world a better place for others, or something to make a friend feel more worthwhile, you’ll probably have thoughts that will try to stop you! It’s okay to notice these but not engage with them and then keep trying (3).
While achieving something helps us feel worthwhile, knowing something about God always helps us feel worthwhile.
A young boy and his dad worked hard all day to build a small toy sailing boat. Maybe it looked something like this: (show model boat). They proudly took it down to the beach and sailed it on the lovely, calm sea. It made them feel so good that the boat that they had made sailed so well. However, a sudden gust of wind caught the sails and the little sailboat moved out of their reach and into the deep where it soon became a little speck in the distance, and finally, out of sight. The father and son walked home quietly. A full day’s work was gone, and the boy cried a little because the boat he had made was gone.
A couple of weeks later the boy, walking past a second-hand shop, saw his boat in the
window. He quickly rushed inside and told the shopkeeper it was his boat. He was stunned
to hear the man, say, “It’s yours but you will have to pay for it because I bought it.”
For the next few weeks that little guy slaved away mowing lawns … doing dishes … anything to save the money to buy back his boat. The day came and the boy returned to buy his boat. As he walked from the shop with the boat, he was heard to whisper to himself…
“Now you’re twice mine, I made you and now I’ve bought you.” Wow the boy sure loved his boat. He thought it was extremely worthwhile.
We are twice God’s. Not only did He create us, but He bought us as well.
Show the bible verse (Romans 5:8). Ask, when did Jesus die on a cross for us? (While we were sinners).
Explain that while we were ignoring God (the bible calls that sin), instead of God punishing us, Jesus took our place.
So not only did God make us, but He also bought us when Jesus died on the cross. That’s how worthwhile to God each of us is.
Now, there is nothing more we need to do, apart from thanking Him and get to know Him better. If you’d like to know a little more, come and chat after the program.
(2) Cummins, R. A. (2018). The Golden Triangle of Happiness: Essential resources for a happy family. International Journal of Child, Youth & Family Studies: Special Issue on Quality of Life and Family Quality of Life.
(3) Saltzman, A. (2014). A still quiet place : a mindfulness program for teaching children and adolescents to ease stress and difficult emotions: Oakland, CA : New Harbinger Publications.
(1) Wu, C. H., Tsai, Y. M., & Chen, L. H. (2009). How Do Positive Views Maintain Life Satisfaction? Social Indicators Research, 91(2), 269-281. doi:10.1007/s11205-008-9282-z