MENTAL HEALTH

Disclaimer: I'm not  an expert when it comes to mental health. I have a basic understanding of  Nervous System. It's also important to note that I'm in the infancy of this study, so I'll be sharing as I'm learning.

Source :CLIPAREA l Custom media/Shutterstock

In my attempt to learn about mental illnesses, I've figured it would be wise to acquaint myself with the functionality of the brain including the mind, from the perspective of the Creator. Man's knowledge of the mind is limited, but God's knowledge, since He created it, is NOT. In doing so, I will be able to fully understand his purpose for the mind, how to develop it, and how to keep it in its rightful state. By so doing, I'll be able to then know how to deal with mental illnesses.

For now, I'll focus on the mind rather than the brain. Take note: the brain is the structure itself and the mind is made up of thoughts and feelings. Let's look at this way: The brain is like the hardware of a computer while the mind is the software. According to Timothy R. Jennings, Medical Doctor and author of 'Could It Be This Simple? A biblical model for healing the mind', the brain is made up of: spiritual nature, will, thoughts, and feelings.

 These are the 3 principles I've gathered thus far.

1.Mind Controls the Whole Man—The mind controls the whole man. All our actions, good or bad, have their source in the mind. It is the mind that worships God and allies us to heavenly beings.... All the physical organs are the servants of the mind, and the nerves are the messengers that transmit its orders to every part of the body, guiding the motions of the living machinery.(2MCP,396)

From the statement above, we  extract THESE very important facts:

• The mind controls the whole man---(also looking at Anatomy & Physiology (A&T), the nervous system is the control center of the body).
• We worship God through the mind and it is through the mind that we are connected through heavenly beings
• The functionality of the nervous system: there's communication between the brain and the body. More interestingly, the organs receive commands from the brain (central nervous system). This discovery leads us to the second principle.

Other thoughts on the above statement:

-If the mind controls all of you, don't you (I) think it's crucial that it is in the right state and guarded very much since it determines the life we live, through our choices?

-Furthermore, if we worship God with the mind---do we then realize that worship is not an emotional state, where we do not reason. What does this thought say about those who make others drink petrol? Is that true worship?

-Isn't it interesting that God calls us to 'reason' with Him (Isaiah 1:18)?

- Thus, worship has an intellectual basis and we are called to give God our 'reasonable service' 

-Isn't it also interesting that, for transformation to take place, the mind must be renewed? (Something to explore in the future; but you can do the self-study too :) )

2.The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. (Ministry of Healing, p.241)

• There's a correlation between the mind and the body. If we then desire good health, we are not only to be free from physical ailments; but we are to be healthy both physically and mentally.
• If you're depressed, the body is also affected. It is tired, weak, etc. Even when you're sick physically, you mind's activity slows down.
• If you are a student, you cannot then neglect the physical and expect the mental to be at its optimum. Furthermore, you cannot overtax the brain and think physically you'll be strengthened. Both the physical and the mental must not be neglected. Better expressed here:The harmonious action of all the parts—brain, bone, and muscle—is necessary to the full and healthful development of the entire human organism.—Special Testimonies On Education, 33, c1897. (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 426.) 

3.He who made man's mind knows what the mind needs. God alone is the One who can heal. Those whose minds and bodies are diseased are to behold in Christ the restorer. (MH,pp.243,244)

For more resources: Ministry of Healing, Chapter 18: Mind Cure; Mind, Character, and Personality: Volume 1& 2; The Bible.

MENTAL HEALTH

(Post triggered by posts I came across on Instagram and a video on Facebook)

Disclaimer: I'm really treading softly here and I'm really ignorant about this topic. So if you find anything offensive--it's definitely not intentional.

I'm not sure whether mental illnesses have become more prevalent  or in the past victims were quiet due to society labeling it as taboo.I'm hearing many cries about mental illnesses, especially within the Christian circles. It is often believed it is impossible for Christians to have depression, anxiety and many mentally associated disorders. This is of course is a myth. I've also noticed in me a fear to relate to mentally-ill individuals because I fear I'll offend or what-not. But at this point, this is really a spirit that I'm praying against. It's not Christ-like and it's inspired by self (something for another day).

I, myself, have pushed these topics since I hadn't known anyone with these ills. But as my mind runs back to symptoms of depression including the 'inability to get off bed' (performing daily activities), I can relate.

But I didn't really consider myself depressed: all I know is, I did not have the appetite to live. Sleep was my therapy. I feared living. Failure had drained me so much, I was just scared. Scared of attending lectures, meeting people, studying, tests, and more. The only thing I wasn't scared of was Sabbath. For a moment, it made me forget.

Even this year, I've been stuck in my bed for sometime--week on ends, except for Sabbath of course. But through prayers, beloveds checking up on me, I'd be strengthened.

I realise I need to dig dip into these issues
(mental ills), because I'm quite ignorant--very much so. And perhaps,I've wanted others to 'just get over it'. But bringing it home, you can't. But I don't think I've experienced it in gravity.

But I'm always comforted that, the same God who has made provision for sin, cannot  be dumb-folded. In fact, he hasn't been caught off guard. He foresaw all kinds of diseases, and faithfully, and lovingly, sent His Son at the fullness of time. To redeem us from the greatest disease, and cause of every suffering.   To me, that is comforting. But the consequences remain -and this is where the hope of Christ's coming comes in: we'll be finally free FROM ALL SUFFERING.

The very God who has created us, from the minutest atoms, the receptors,and all that makes up the nervous system, I believe he is not defeated.

These few thoughts that comfort me, as I plan of knowing more:

'In the way that leads to the city of God there are NO difficulties which those who TRUST in Him may not escape. There are no dangers which they may not escape. There is not a sorrow, not a grievance, not a human weakness, for which He has not provided a REMEDY'-MYP

'The surrender of ALL our powers to God greatly SIMPLIFIES the problem of life. It WEAKENS and CUTS a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart'-MYP

Lastly,

"The gospel is a wonderful simplifier of life's problems. Its instruction, heeded, would make plain many a perplexity and save us from many an error. It teaches us to estimate things at their true value and to give the most effort to the things of greatest worth--the things that will endure." Ministry of Healing p.363

#research_loading

Plea:

If you suffer from any mental illness, please drop me an email: mercymsez@gmail.com.

I don't have answers or help, but just knowing and learning from someone who has an experience would be useful in my research. And I'd like to carry the burden with you.

Images Sources:

NB: The articles are actually great on shedding more light on mental ills for starters like I.

Another great thing? They have these comics that help break it down


1.http://healinglifeisnatural.com/this-comic-accurately-describes-what-its-like-to-live-with-anxiety-and-depression/
2.https://www.theodysseyonline.com/romanticization-mental-illness