++Facing Today’s Challenges Facing Today’s Challenges

St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church; Washington, St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church; Washington, D.C.D.C.

Youth & Young Adults – March 22, 2009Youth & Young Adults – March 22, 2009

Yousry Armanios M.D.Yousry Armanios M.D.YARMANIOS@HOTMAIL.COMYARMANIOS@HOTMAIL.COM

““And do not be conformed to this And do not be conformed to this world, but world, but be transformedbe transformed by by

renewing your mindrenewing your mind, that you may , that you may prove what is that good and prove what is that good and

acceptable and perfect will of GOD”acceptable and perfect will of GOD”

(Romans 12:2)(Romans 12:2)

The Seven Big Challenges The Seven Big Challenges TodayToday

1.1. Today’s LanguageToday’s Language

2.2. ApathyApathy

3.3. Understanding LoveUnderstanding Love

4.4. EmptinessEmptiness

5.5. AnxietyAnxiety

6.6. DepressionDepression

7.7. Loss of ControlLoss of Control

1. Today’s Language1. Today’s Language

What Does It Hide?What Does It Hide?

Today’s Language!Today’s Language!

Let me have fun!Let me have fun! It feels good; It’s CoolIt feels good; It’s Cool I’m old enoughI’m old enough It won’t hurt meIt won’t hurt me They all do it!They all do it! I can stop it I can stop it ifif I want I want Nobody understands meNobody understands me

What is behind?What is behind?

SensualitySensuality Short-SightednessShort-Sightedness DefensivenessDefensiveness ShallownessShallowness Self-DeceptionSelf-Deception Loss of ControlLoss of Control IrresponsibilityIrresponsibility

2. Apathy:2. Apathy:

The Mask We Hide Behind!The Mask We Hide Behind!

Stereotypes of ApathyStereotypes of Apathy

Who cares?!Who cares?! I don’t care, either!I don’t care, either! Homes Where We GrowHomes Where We Grow When we take it to churchWhen we take it to church When we bring it back after we When we bring it back after we

marrymarry Understanding the Body of ChristUnderstanding the Body of Christ Having Guts of Compassion Having Guts of Compassion

3. What is Love?3. What is Love?

The “Confusions” of LoveThe “Confusions” of Love

The “Questionable” LoveThe “Questionable” Love

Are You in Love, Really?Are You in Love, Really? Is it Love or Infatuation?Is it Love or Infatuation? Expressing Your LoveExpressing Your Love Love in the Short-TermLove in the Short-Term Love & CommitmentLove & Commitment Gratifying Your LoveGratifying Your Love The Beloved OtherThe Beloved Other

4. Emptiness4. Emptiness

The Vacuum We Live in!The Vacuum We Live in!

The The TwoTwo Evils! Evils!

"My people have committed "My people have committed two two sinssins::

 They have forsaken me,  They have forsaken me,   the spring of living water,   the spring of living water,               andand have dug their own have dug their own

cisterns, cisterns,        broken cisterns that cannot        broken cisterns that cannot

hold water.” hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13) (Jeremiah 2:13)

Which Water Do You Drink Which Water Do You Drink From?From?

This World’s WaterThis World’s Water:: All ImpuritiesAll Impurities Thirsty All the Time!Thirsty All the Time! Toxic WaterToxic Water Exposed CisternsExposed 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. Anxiety5. Anxiety

Are You Worried?Are You Worried?

What Are You Worried What Are You Worried About?About?

About the UnknownAbout the Unknown About Failing Myself About Failing Myself About Losing My Job or My CareerAbout Losing My Job or My Career About Finding a Good Spouse About Finding a Good Spouse About My Family LifeAbout My Family Life About Death and DyingAbout Death and Dying About My Own SalvationAbout My Own Salvation

Where is Your Faith?Where is Your Faith?

6. Depression6. Depression

Are You Depressed?Are You Depressed?

Four Dimensions:Four Dimensions:The 4 D’s of Depression The 4 D’s of Depression

DDisturbed Feelingsisturbed Feelings

DDistorted Thinkingistorted Thinking

DDestructive Actionsestructive Actions

DDysfunctional Lifeysfunctional Life

How Does Depression Hurt? 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 Control7. Loss of Control

Are You Still In Control?Are You Still In Control?

When We Lose ControlWhen We Lose Control

We Become Servants of Another MasterWe Become Servants of Another Master We Lose Touch with RealityWe Lose Touch with Reality We Lose Our Self-AwarenessWe Lose Our Self-Awareness We Have to Deal with Our ObsessionsWe Have to Deal with Our Obsessions We Are Never GratifiedWe 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 ControlTwo Sorts of Loss of Control

Over a SubstanceOver a Substance: Alcohol & Drugs: Alcohol & Drugs

Over an ActionOver an Action: Sex & Gambling: Sex & Gambling

The Solution!The Solution! Drink from the Living Drink from the Living

WaterWater You’ll Feel Safe, Secure & SignificantYou’ll Feel Safe, Secure & Significant You Raise Your Self-AwarenessYou 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 You Are Able to Manage with the

FutureFuture You Become a Leader, not a FollowerYou Become a Leader, not a Follower You Feel Gratified!You Feel Gratified! You Shall Be Happy!You Shall Be Happy!

The Blessing:The Blessing:

You shall Serve the One You shall Serve the One Who Loves You, Who Loves You,

Forever!Forever!

Finally:Finally:Never Give Up!Never Give Up!

““With God, All Things Are With God, All Things Are Possible” (Mark 10:27Possible” (Mark 10:27))

Thank You!Thank You!Dr. Yousry ArmaniosDr. Yousry Armanios

YARMANIOS@HOTMAIL.COMYARMANIOS@HOTMAIL.COM

614-327-8289 (M)614-327-8289 (M)

614-777-1251 (H)614-777-1251 (H)