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