I share today a devotion from September of 2018. This subject continues to be talked about a good deal and needs to be talked about even more. I have modified the post a little. Mental Health is a hot button, and the church should not be silent. Here is what I shared:
Today’s devotion is one that has been heavy on my heart, and it is longer than normal. Please take some time to read and to interact with this reality.
Psalm 34:18 NLT
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
We have moments where need to take the opportunity to stop and think. I did not say slow down and think. I said stop and think. Many things run through my mind on a daily basis. Some of them don’t stick, but some situations stick and won’t leave.
In in a sermon in 2018 I tackled the difficult subject of Mental Health and how the church deals with it. This is a big deal these days. Diagnoses are so numerous and many of us are in the middle of those personally or through friends and family.
There was a pastor who took his life the weekend before I preached that message. He took his life after a long battle with depression. 30 years old and father of 3 boys… Pray for that pastor and many others as well as the church.
Suicide is a difficult subject and has touched all of our lives. As are many other of the struggles that our friends and family are dealing with. What does God have to say about these? Let’s take a look at what I believe Jesus has for us.
Jesus has touched your life and mine. We have different stories and struggles, but we all have a story and have had plenty of struggles. For me there are weaknesses and depression. But on top of that is passion and vision for the future.
The problem is that often our forward movement is cut off or hampered by the open struggle we face. To know and claim the truth makes all the difference in the word. Jesus said he was anointed, called by God and more.
Let me be careful, almost a disclosure: I am not offering solutions, diagnosis, cure alls, and the like. What I am asking is that we, the followers of Jesus, simply act like Jesus. Stop overlooking people. Start being love and giving life.
When it comes to suicide, don’t walk away. Pray. Talk. Make a call. Do something. When it comes to addiction, stop thinking it is simply a choice and then it is over because it hard and it is work. When it comes to mental health, show concern by loving people even when it is uncomfortable. Again, these are not hard concrete answers to the problems, but answering the question “how should the church respond to those in need?” And by the way, you and I are the church!
What are we to do? I suggest we choose to CARE (Care, Act, Restore, Educate). Here is what that word stood for in yesterday’s sermon.
C– care
Show people that you care. Add value to people’s lives by really caring.
Job 11:18 NLT
Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
A– act
Love is an action verb. Do something. Don’t turn away. Turn to those in need. Act in love toward those who are hurting.
1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Comfort those who are hurting because we have been in similar places
2 Corinthians 1:4 NASB
who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
I shared openly (and you can watch the message on my Facebook page or the church’s page) about suicide. It is not our church’s believe nor do I believe it is what the Bible says that people who commit go to hell. I believe people go to hell who choose not to believe in Jesus. Suicide is sin. It is wrong.
Comfort those whose lives have been touched by suicide. Blessed and encourage those who have thought about it.
R– restore
By caring for people and showing God’s love we will often restore hurting people. Restoring speaks of giving hope and meaning to life.
James 5:15 NASB
and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
Pray for those who are struggling. If you are struggling, pray and get others to pray for you.
E– educate
Educate yourself by reading articles, attending a conference and learning about resources such as helplines, counseling and other things that will help those battling mental health issues.
There is a battle, and we have an enemy. God offers help and hope.
John 10:10 NASB
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
I also believe that the mental health system around us is broken, but it takes a community to surround those who are struggling. The church ought to accept and love those who are struggling, and we, the followers of Jesus, need to realize that some of those who are hurting are us or people close to use.
Choose to CARE, and may God use us to make a huge difference in the lives of the people around us who are struggling.
Proverbs 31:8 NLT
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
NOTE: Next week I will be back in Cuba on a mission trip. Please pray for the trip and the meetings taking place for the FCA ministry in Cuba. If you would like to help, please reach out to me at pastormh@gmail.com
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