Mental Health (i)

Today we will consider one of the alarmingly growing trends in modern society – mental instabilities and illnesses.  Such issues have even become prevalent in the church, but God does not want His children to be in depression, His desire is for us to be in joy at all times! Going back to the Word of God, which is the foundation for how we lead our lives, we read, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25). One of the biggest issues we have is that people think they know everything, and do not want to accept the wisdom that comes from above – God is who should inform how we live our lives; not google, not carnal books and human wisdom. God tells us that it is a ‘good word’ that makes the heart glad, not antidepressants with an ever-increasing dosage. Consider Apostle Paul, who was arrested on account of the gospel under the worst of conditions, he had every natural reason plausible to sink into depression and discouragement, but instead, we see him write to the church in Philippi with an unfathomable attitude. The church was concerned for his well-being, while he, on the other hand, was in the happiest season of his life. He wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) – here he tells them where joy is cultivated – in the Lord and nowhere else. Consider again what he said to the Roman church, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 14:17). Joy is part and parcel of the life we have in Jesus, it does not come from marriage, children, money, cars and all these things – this misalignment is what causes all the sorrow we see in our generation. Things in life change, jobs end, husbands and wives falter, children disappoint, money finishes, friends change – only the Lord is unchanging and will remain forever. He is the only factor that is unshakeable, which makes Him the safest surety for joy! 

The apostle continues, “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand” (Phillipians 4:5). In other versions, gentleness is likened to moderation, wherein the apostle is admonishing that we remain balanced and restrained in all things. No hot tempers, pursuits and burning impatience, which will then cultivate the forbearance and tolerance within us, so that we are not easily offended or moved by the tumultuous issues of life. He emphasises that this moderation should be evident and shared with all men, not just ‘certain people’, wherein some people adopt chameleon traits, changing whenever convenient, treating men with partiality. He continued, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (v.6). Here we see that the antidote for anxiety and worry is prayer and thanksgiving. Whenever worry creeps in, we know that there is an opportunity to fill that opening with prayer, and seal off the offloading of burdens to Jesus with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving cements our belief that the Lord has done it, it increases our view of His power and builds expectation and faith within us. We should be violent in dealing with anxiety, church! Worry should not be nursed, we should exterminate it immediately and leave no room for further fermentation. The apostle’s exhortation then continues, “… and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (v.7). One thing we need to note is that the peace of God is not dependent on any natural factors, it is based on a reality that supersedes this one and that the world knows not. That is why Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The apostle told them that this peace would guard over their heart as a security agent and hedge of protection (Isaiah 26:3), and we compromise our own heart by constantly feasting on negativity and all things contrary to the Word of God over our lives. But you cannot just jump to this promise of peace without heeding to the prior instructions of rejoicing intently, relentless prayer and joyful thanksgiving – remember that! 

Apostle Paul then gives them a clear guide to the protection of the heart and mind, saying, “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” (Phillipians 4:8). This is the filter for everything we consume; music, movies, news, information and so on! In order to thrive in this walk of grace, we need to be extremely watchful over our consumption so we do not contaminate the fruit of faith growing in our lives. We need to carefully assess our responses in order to quickly diagnose any illnesses in our mind. We must question ourselves honestly so we can rectify and live out God’s best for us. Being watchful of yourself protects you! Always watch how you relate to God, His Word and His presence, that will give you an indication of your heart’s posture, and it will give you a working plan to get into God’s best so you are not cheated out of all God has for you. But if you are not honest and willing to train yourself into what we learn from His Word is the right attitude, we will struggle to get on the Lord’s side on the day we need it most! That is how these issues of depression creep in, but bless God, for He has given us the antidote. 

Prayer

Father, we thank You for your covering! You are our refuge and fortress! You are the One we trust! You have delivered us from the snares of depressions and perilous social, mental and physical ills. You have covered us with Your feathers, and under Your wings we take refuge! Your truth is our shield! In the name of Jesus, Amen!