+ Facing Today’s Challenges St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church; Washington, D.C. Youth & Young Adults – March 22, 2009 Yousry Armanios M.D.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of GOD” (Romans 12:2)

The Seven Big Challenges Today 1. Today’s Language 2. Apathy 3. Understanding Love 4. Emptiness 5. Anxiety 6. Depression 7. Loss of Control

1. Today’s Language What Does It Hide?

Today’s Language! Let me have fun! Let me have fun! It feels good; It’s Cool It feels good; It’s Cool I’m old enough I’m old enough It won’t hurt me It won’t hurt me They all do it! They all do it! I can stop it if I want I can stop it if I want Nobody understands me Nobody understands me

What is behind? Sensuality Sensuality Short-Sightedness Short-Sightedness Defensiveness Defensiveness Shallowness Shallowness Self-Deception Self-Deception Loss of Control Loss of Control Irresponsibility Irresponsibility

2. Apathy: The Mask We Hide Behind!

Stereotypes of Apathy Who cares?! Who cares?! I don’t care, either! I don’t care, either! Homes Where We Grow Homes Where We Grow When we take it to church When we take it to church When we bring it back after we marry When we bring it back after we marry Understanding the Body of Christ Understanding the Body of Christ Having Guts of Compassion Having Guts of Compassion

3. What is Love? The “Confusions” of Love

The “Questionable” Love Are You in Love, Really? Are You in Love, Really? Is it Love or Infatuation? Is it Love or Infatuation? Expressing Your Love Expressing Your Love Love in the Short-Term Love in the Short-Term Love & Commitment Love & Commitment Gratifying Your Love Gratifying Your Love The Beloved Other The Beloved Other

4. Emptiness The Vacuum We Live in!

The Two Evils! "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

Which Water Do You Drink From? This World’s Water: All Impurities All Impurities Thirsty All the Time! Thirsty All the Time! Toxic Water Toxic Water Exposed Cisterns Exposed Cisterns When You Wake Up One Day! When You Wake Up One Day! The Deception of the “New” Serpent! The Deception of the “New” Serpent! Before It’s Too Late! Before It’s Too Late!

5. Anxiety Are You Worried?

What Are You Worried About? About the Unknown About the Unknown About Failing Myself About Failing Myself About Losing My Job or My Career About Losing My Job or My Career About Finding a Good Spouse About Finding a Good Spouse About My Family Life About My Family Life About Death and Dying About Death and Dying About My Own Salvation About My Own Salvation

Where is Your Faith?

6. Depression Are You Depressed?

Four Dimensions: The 4 D’s of Depression Disturbed Feelings Disturbed Feelings Distorted Thinking Distorted Thinking Destructive Actions Destructive Actions Dysfunctional Life Dysfunctional Life

How Does Depression Hurt? "I feel sad all the time." "I feel sad all the time." "I don’t like myself any more." "I don’t like myself any more." "I no more enjoy being with anyone.” "I no more enjoy being with anyone.” “I don’t enjoy doing good things like before.” “I don’t enjoy doing good things like before.” "I've been having trouble with my sleeping.” "I've been having trouble with my sleeping.” "I keep having aches and pains." "I keep having aches and pains." "I often feel like my life is not worth living." "I often feel like my life is not worth living."

7. Loss of Control Are You Still In Control?

When We Lose Control We Become Servants of Another Master We Become Servants of Another Master We Lose Touch with Reality We Lose Touch with Reality We Lose Our Self-Awareness We Lose Our Self-Awareness We Have to Deal with Our Obsessions We Have to Deal with Our Obsessions We Are Never Gratified We Are Never Gratified We Pay a Price: The Consequences! We Pay a Price: The Consequences! We Lose Our Freedom (Dependency) We Lose Our Freedom (Dependency)

Two Sorts of Loss of Control Over a Substance: Alcohol & Drugs Over a Substance: Alcohol & Drugs Over an Action: Sex & Gambling Over an Action: Sex & Gambling

The Solution! Drink from the Living Water You’ll Feel Safe, Secure & Significant You’ll Feel Safe, Secure & Significant You Raise Your Self-Awareness You Raise Your Self-Awareness You Learn How to Deal with Reality You Learn How to Deal with Reality You Are Able to Manage with the Future You Are Able to Manage with the Future You Become a Leader, not a Follower You Become a Leader, not a Follower You Feel Gratified! You Feel Gratified! You Shall Be Happy! You Shall Be Happy!

The Blessing: You shall Serve the One Who Loves You, Forever!

Finally: Never Give Up! “With God, All Things Are Possible” (Mark 10:27 )

Thank You! Dr. Yousry Armanios (M) (H)