Philippians 4:7-8 (NKJV) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Proverbs 23:7a says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he”. Therefore, we are a product of our thought life. Our words and actions are expressions of our thought life. Similarly, Matthew 12:34b says, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Therefore, a person will speak of hopelessness when worried, stressed, or pressed down by circumstances. If those thoughts are not redirected, they may gradually sink into depression, lose their appetite, and no longer find joy in the things they once enjoyed.

Many challenges and issues in our lives can cause stress and overwhelm us to such an extent that we experience panic attacks or become immobilised. 

We can only think of one thing at a time. Therefore, we can either focus on uplifting thoughts or on negative ones that weigh us down. Many thoughts that pass through our minds can steal our peace. We all have expectations of ourselves, and others have expectations of us too, but trying to meet everyone’s expectations can create unnecessary stress.

There is currently a youth and adolescent mental health crisis. Emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety are common. Contributing factors include exposure to adversity, pressure to conform to peers, and identity exploration. These are exacerbated by media influence and gender norms. Other key determinants include the quality of family life and relationships with peers. 

The COVID‑19 pandemic was a traumatic season for many youths. In addition, the global gender fluidity advocacy has introduced further confusion, especially as adolescents are already navigating emotional, hormonal, and physical changes. Some may feel pressured by peers to conform, even if they don’t agree. Others growing up in single‑parent homes lack healthy role models, and many cannot speak openly with their parents about what they are facing at school, whether because their parents are too busy, dismiss their concerns, or focus solely on academic performance. These young people are being pressed from every side, yet often have no safe space or language to express what is happening inside them. Third-culture kids (TCK) who have moved from one country to another face additional challenges, which, to the extreme, may lead to an identity crisis because they don’t feel rooted.

Every child is different. Therefore, as parents, we need to use different approaches with each child, love them for who they are, and communicate with them as needed. We also need to understand that their personalities, likes, and dislikes might differ from ours, and create a safe, stable, and secure environment for them. 

Reflection: How intentionally are you caring for your and your children’s mental health? How might God be inviting you to nurture emotional health at home and align your family with His values?

Sermon Script： 2026 CG Campaign — Up Part 3

平安临到你和你的家人

腓立比书 4:7-8  神所赐出人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。8 弟兄们，我还有未尽的话，凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念

箴言 23:7 因为他心怎样思量，他为人就是怎样。他虽对你说“请吃，请喝”，他的心却与你相背。因此，我们的生命会反映我们的思想。我们的言语和行为，都是我们内心思想的流露。同样，马太福音 12:34 “因为心里所充满的，口里就说出来。”因此，当一个人忧虑、承受压力，或被环境压得喘不过气时，他所说的话往往会流露出绝望。如果这些消极的思想没有及时被调整，它们可能会慢慢发展成抑郁，使人失去胃口，也失去对过去曾经喜爱的事物的兴趣和喜乐。生活中的许多挑战和问题都会带来压力，甚至让人感到不堪重负，以致出现恐慌发作，或陷入一种无法行动、无法前进的状态。

我们一次只能专注于一个思想。因此，我们可以选择专注于带来盼望、使人得建立的思想，也可以让那些消极、沉重的思想不断占据我们的心。许多掠过我们脑海的念头，都可能夺去我们内心的平安。我们每个人都对自己有所期待，同时别人也会对我们有所期待。然而，当我们努力想满足所有人的期待时，往往会给自己带来许多不必要的压力。

如今，青少年正面临一场心理健康危机。抑郁、焦虑等情绪障碍已变得十分普遍。造成这一现象的原因有很多，包括经历逆境、同伴压力，以及对自我身份的探索。这些挑战又因媒体的影响和社会对于性别角色的观念而进一步加剧。此外，家庭生活的品质以及与同伴之间的关系，也是影响心理健康的重要因素。

对许多年轻人来说，新冠疫情（COVID-19）是一段充满创伤的时期。与此同时，全球关于性别流动（gender fluidity）的倡导，也让许多正经历情绪、荷尔蒙及身体变化的青少年更加困惑。有些年轻人即使内心并不认同某些观点，也可能因为同伴压力而感到必须迎合或顺从。还有一些成长于单亲家庭的孩子，缺乏健康的榜样。许多人也无法坦诚地与父母分享他们在学校所面对的挑战，可能是因为父母工作太忙、忽略他们的感受，或把注意力完全放在学业成绩上。这些年轻人承受着来自四面八方的压力，却常常没有一个安全的空间，也找不到合适的语言来表达自己内心真实的感受。跨文化成长的孩子（Third Culture Kids，简称 TCK），由于不断在不同国家之间迁移，也会面对更多挑战。严重时，他们可能因缺乏归属感，而陷入身份认同的危机，因为他们不知道自己真正属于哪里。

每一个孩子都是独特的。因此，作为父母，我们需要根据每个孩子不同的个性和需要，用不同的方式陪伴和引导他们，按着他们本来的样式去爱他们，并在他们需要的时候与他们沟通。我们也需要明白，他们的性格、兴趣和喜好，未必与我们相同。作为父母，我们应当努力为他们营造一个安全、稳定且充满安全感的成长环境。

默想

您有多刻意地照顾自己和孩子的心理健康？神是否正在邀请你，在家庭中更加重视情绪健康，并帮助你的家人按照祂的价值观来建立生命？

讲章系列：UP！细胞小组活动 2026 第三部分