{"id":7300,"date":"2021-10-02T17:08:19","date_gmt":"2021-10-02T07:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmark.com.au\/Blogs\/?p=7300"},"modified":"2021-10-02T17:24:13","modified_gmt":"2021-10-02T07:24:13","slug":"mental-health-is-not-a-spiritual-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.stmark.com.au\/Blogs\/mental-health-is-not-a-spiritual-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health is not a Spiritual Problem"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Mental Health is not a Spiritual Problem<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Many, many years ago, people were\ntaught that you could not have a mental health problem if you were close with God.\nI\u2019m not really sure where that came from, forgive me for not fact checking but\nmy goodness, the audacity that ever allowed people to think this way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, the major belief is\nthat the two are not related. You can have a deep and meaningful relationship\nwith our Father, despite where your mental health may be. A mental health\nproblem is not a spiritual problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needless to say, I agree with\nthis wholeheartedly. The hurt of that original statement, I think blocked any\nkind of connection between mental and spiritual health, which is a shame. Mental\nhealth is dealt with in one way and spiritual health in another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each person has three distinct\nparts- the body, the mind and the soul. The body which is outward, and the mind\nand soul that lie inwardly. If the mind and soul dwell inwardly together,\nsurely they\u2019ve crossed paths at some point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s think of the sound \u201cmind,\u201d without a care in the world. Wakes up every morning, completely refreshed, goes to work, comes home and says their prayers with a mouth that may be singing praises but a heart that says, \u201csorry God for my sins <\/em>(I know I have to say that one) it\u2019s just been so busy, I think this is enough for tonight, check.<\/em>\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opposite of this could take a range of different forms. Maybe it wakes up in the morning and thinks, \u201cI don\u2019t know how to get up today.<\/em>\u201d Maybe by the time it gets to work, it thinks, \u201cif I don\u2019t do anything wrong today, nothing bad will happen.<\/em>\u201d Maybe it thinks itself a failure, as neglected, as the one that no good could ever come from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My reflex response to hearing someone think in this way is typically, \u201cit\u2019s okay, everything will be okay, you\u2019ll get through this.<\/em>\u201d But I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s how God responds. I don\u2019t think He says, \u201cit\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/em> I think He says, \u201cYeah- in this world you will have tribulation, but be good cheer for I have overcome the world<\/em>\u201d (John 16:33).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sounds easier said than done but what will always be true is that God hold the heart that is in distress in the palm of His Hands. He is by your side and He is the strength when you feel like you have nothing left. It was tribulation that allowed Job to say, \u201cI have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You<\/em>\u201d (Job 42:5). It was in his deepest and darkest despair that Job saw God. In those moments of mental distress, God is there and His presence is felt stronger than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we see the struggles of the mind in this way, then it no longer becomes, \u201cI don\u2019t know how to get up today,<\/em>\u201d but \u201cplease God help me to get up today.<\/em>\u201d It is no longer, \u201cI hope I don\u2019t mess up,<\/em>\u201d but \u201cGod please help me to get it right.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod, be by my side and help me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod, even if I mess up, let it be for Your good.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod, help me to believe in You.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy Lord, Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one that comes home from a long day, broken and defeated is the one that prays with a broken and a contrite heart – these our Lord does not despise. Maybe we<\/em> despise because we look outwardly. But the heart that is in distress from the outside is the one that is honest on the inside and prays with all sincerity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heart that cries out in\nanguish to the Lord is already miles ahead of the one that is content. Mental\nhealth can be a spiritual tool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praying when the mind feels\ndiscontent is not the solution to mental health. But think of how God sees your\nprayers. The one that is honest, and broken and in so much need – I think that\nsoul is God\u2019s favourite. Truly, even those that feel fully content are still in\nneed, we all are. We all need our Creator. If it is anxiety, depression, or\neven worse that brings you to Him, your soul will always belongs\nto our Lord, and this could be the bridge your soul craves to bring you back to\nHis embrace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When St Paul says, \u201cbe anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God<\/em>\u201d (Philippians 4:6), I don\u2019t think he means just forget your anxiety, or even go get the help you need and then consider your spiritual life later. He means to take your anxiety and turn it into prayer. Pray about everything, give thanks for everything, and in that your soul will be at rest, no matter what plagues your mind. Prayer is not the solution, but prayer is the good company that will be with you along the journey of the unknown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I can\u2019t speak from a mental\nhealth standpoint, the help is there. Here are just a few:<\/p>\n\n\n\n