Ennui: Inside Out Faith: The Science and Spirituality of Emotions

About this sermon

In this insightful episode, Dr. Rebeca Chow and Pastor Bill Gepford unpack the feeling of ennui—that deep sense of boredom, listlessness, or dissatisfaction that can leave us stuck. They share relatable stories, like experiencing malaise during the pandemic or procrastinating on important tasks, revealing how ennui often shows up in moments when life feels monotonous or unfulfilling. They explore how ennui can actually have a healthy side—a “holy dissatisfaction” that pushes us to reevaluate our direction and reconnect with our true purpose. But they also warn of the dangers of acedia, a spiritual procrastination where we stay busy with everything except what we’re truly called to do, leading us to drift away from what matters most. Through their conversation, we learn practical ways to manage ennui and burnout, like pausing to reset, practicing intentional rest, and finding rhythms of Sabbath that help us remember who we’re meant to be. They show how even small changes can shift us from stagnation to clarity, helping us align with our deeper purpose instead of staying lost in distraction. If you’ve been feeling restless, unmotivated, or overwhelmed by busyness, this episode will give you practical tools and a fresh perspective. Watch now to learn how to move from aimless boredom to purposeful living—and discover moments of rest that can help you reset and refocus on what truly matters. Highlights: [00:00] – Introduction: What Is Ennui? [00:17] – Recognizing Ennui in Daily Life [01:02] – The Healthy and Unhealthy Sides of Ennui [01:31] – Stories of Holy Dissatisfaction and Spiritual Procrastination [04:00] – Practical Tips to Reset and Overcome Ennui [07:09] – Embracing Rest: The Power of Sabbath [08:02] – Challenge and Closing Thoughts Visit our website: https://resurrection.church/ Connect with us on social media! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareresurrection Twitter: https://x.com/umcresurrection Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resurrectionumc/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChurchoftheResurrection Learn more from us at https://resurrection.church/next #ResurrectionAUnitedMethodistChurch #InsideOutFaith #Ennui

Topics

• Faith