Reflections on Mental Health - Mental Health OR If We Are The Body - Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest Or why was I not hidden in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day? There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest. Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave? Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil. [excerpts from Job 3] Depression and other disorders have too long been stigmatized by society, resulting in far too many people not seeking and getting the help to find peace and wholeness in their lives. The church is not immune from the pain and suffering of mental illness, and unfortunately has been no better at assisting and encouraging those who need help. Every Sunday we put on our best faces and join in worshipping God . . . that same God who knows and sees all the pain that hides in those who have come. It is an unfortunate, tragic irony that our own outreach coordinator, __________________, took his own life rather than face another day of the quiet, desperate suffering he was in. But God can and will bring good out this loss if we will only seek His Grace and guidance. We can start today to recognize that mental illness is and should have always been addressed no differently than other disease and illness we encounter in this world. We can give each other the permission to be real and authentic about our struggles, and then be Christ to each other in loving and caring the best we know how with Gods help. The dysfunction brought about by depression, anxiety, and all the other associated disorders resulting from imbalances in brain chemistry are a bondage that Christ dearly wants to release us from. But, our brothers and sisters need to embrace our struggles and come alongside, rather than cast judgment and aspersion on us, or simply ignore us because there is a lack of understanding or fear of mental illness. [b] As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, Where is your God? 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God. My [c] soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God my Rock, Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, Where is your God? 11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. [excerpts from Psalm 42] Each of us deserves to know God and His Peace, and as Brethren in Christ, He calls us to administer His Grace, Love and Healing to one another. We all deserve to be able to say with confidence, I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. We have formed a support group whose focus is mental health. We have not limited it initially to any particular disorder, but depression and anxiety are clearly the favorites among us. Please feel free to join us for support and encouragement any Thursday evening at 7:00 PM in Room 201 of the Community Life Center. We all must heed Jesus command to love one another if we are to truly honor Him. Whether it is mental health issues, struggles in marriage or parenting, or battling sin in our lives we must feel we can come to the church, the Body of Christ to seek healing. Its crowded in worship today As she slips in Trying to fade into the faces The girls teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know Farther than they know A traveler is far away from home He sheds his coat And quietly sinks into the back row The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances Are better out on the road Jesus paid much too high a price For us to pick and choose who should come And we are the Body of Christ A brother or sister One of their own Sits in worship engulfed in pain and suffering Does anyone really care If we are the body Why arent His arms reaching Why arent His hands healing Why arent His words teaching And if we are the body Why arent His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way Jesus is the way [excerpts from Casting Crowns if We Are The Body with Pats additions]
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 17:45:50 +0000
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