Mental Health Through Tough Times
A radical idea from the scriptures could be the key to finding peace
The election is over but the bickering remains. The pandemic isn’t helping our sense of security either. The economy is bad for a lot of people. There’s a lot of things to be troubled about, and the more you think about it the worse it may get. Sometimes it seems like the bickering itself is the worst culprit of all.
It’s easy to get sucked into the negativity, which continues to send us on a downward emotional and mental spiral. The news, or social media, can produce a constant state of fear, anger, and unrest, which is bound to take its toll mentally.
The news, or social media, can produce a constant state of fear, anger, and unrest, which is bound to take its toll mentally.
There are some things that we cannot change, or that we have no control over. But one thing we can control is our mind and what we feed our spirit. If we only look at negative things we are going to feel bad, that seems pretty obvious. But at the same time, no one wants to hear the tired old song of just think good thoughts and things will get better either.
There are no magic incantations or prayers that will transform our world. But Prayer itself can change us, and give us the peace we need when times are troublesome.
This article in Psychology today shows the mental health benefits of prayer:
God is not a sugar daddy who hands out miracles. The purpose of prayer is not to get things, but it is a way to communicate at a higher level with God, and that can give us peace. If you are in a good place mentally and emotionally, which prayer can facilitate, you will be better able to handle what life throws at you.
Sort of a model of prayer is found in Philippians chapter 4. It is not really a model, but more about how it works. In this chapter, Paul reveals the secret of peace and contentment, even in a bad situation.
This chapter is even more striking when the context is understood. He was in jail in Phillipi, for preaching the gospel. The local religious leaders got him thrown in jail. There was no telling when he would get out, or what would happen to him. If anyone had a right to complain or be upset he did. But he was not filing lawsuits or telling his followers to riot or do any other kind of violence.
He told them to “rejoice in the Lord” (verse 4). show your peaceful nature (verse 5), and don't worry, instead pray with thanksgiving. ( verse 6).
He says if they will do that, the peace of God, which is beyond understanding, would protect their hearts and minds.
This can be hard to do when it looks like the world has become a dumpster fire. But there is protection available for your mind and emotions at least, and that is found in prayer.
It’s good to get out of a bad thing if you can. But contentment is simply a state where you are mentally and emotionally OK. You feel like you will survive no matter what happens.
Paul goes on to say that he knows good times and bad times, but through both, he had found a secret to contentment. That secret was the three things mentioned above. He could do that because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13).
His advice is to tell people to focus on good things instead of the bad.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
He says if we do those things the peace of God will protect our hearts and minds.
There is a “peace that passes understanding,” for people who believe in God.
It does not fix what is wrong, and may or may not make things better. But what is for sure is that the more you dwell in negativity, the more negative impact that will have on your mind and your emotions.
But if we let go of the negativity and put good things into our minds, then that will affect how we feel. It will affect our sense of contentment. Prayer seems to solidify that sense of contentment in a supernatural way.
(Just as a disclaimer. I realize depression, anxiety, and other issues have many causes, and I am not saying this is a magical cure for that. But these things could help with a sense of contentment.)
How would focusing on the good instead of all the negativity in our culture affect you emotionally?
