“Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” - Psalm 100:3 (NIV)
Life can be full of ironies. While there are those who are bed ridden and willing to spend every shilling of theirs to get back to good health and live some more, many somewhere are sick of life and eager to end theirs. There are nations where suicide has grown to epidemic levels, and curiously some of these are the most developed countries. In Japan 25,000 people take their lives every year, almost 70 a day! In the US, over 48,000 people commit suicide per year, a rate that is increasing; and is quite similar to Europe.
Suicide has been linked to mental health, a subject which is often a taboo to talk about in certain circles. Yet mental health disorder can be a result of common factors such as: family genetics, brain injury, substance abuse, physical abuse, poor self-esteem to social withdrawal.
Among Christians there are those who share the view that mental health is inexistent and if so, it is ever the work of the enemy, Satan, and the victim only needs deliverance prayers. True, there are instances we have seen of demonic attack and deliverance prayers will do well; but the problems of mental health go beyond. Loneliness and forced isolation can be a trigger for mental health disorder.
As Christians we should always be on the look out for those who might be suffering from mental health disorder, than take to an attitude of denial or outright condemning those suffering from such as lacking enough faith! Psalm 103:8 says, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.” It is important within our homes to care for one another instead of taking each other for granted. For believers, it is only expected to first show love to own family members, before going out to preach love to the world.
And, within the larger community, be it at church or the workplace, it is important to see there are services where any can feel confident to go and talk to someone, unburden their heartaches, and walk away feeling loved and accepted. Clinical support should be offered or directed to.
Mental health is real, but we can do something to lessen its effect, and not lose life, which is from God.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, the life I have is yours; may I cherish it every day, and as you taught us to care for one another, I pray to be on the lookout for those who need care, someone to talk to and listen or just offer a hug, all this I pray in Jesus’s name!
