There’s been quite a bit of emphasis on the problem of mental illness lately; and for good reason. It is rising at an alarming rate. But, what also concerns me is, no one seems to be pointing to the greatest reasons for it. I’m not a psychiatrist, or a doctor; but have worked in a field where I had to care for many who were placed in this category, and have learned about certain aspects of it. Look at what is fed to us on TV, the movies, magazines, pornography, drug addiction, alcoholism. It is all a reflection of the condition of what people spend their time and money on. Then, they live out the consequences of them. Christians spend time and money on these things, and wonder why their lives are not prospering, why they are not experiencing God’s blessings in their lives.
The apostle Paul wrote these verses in prison, and in them he gives us great wisdom in addressing the problem of mental illness:
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
As soon as I came to Christ, and started studying His word, my eyes were opened and I saw the fact that I was living a life dictated by the choices I had made, and the people I had allowed in my life. People influence us, for good or bad; this is very important.
Some of the most important things the Lord taught me as I studied His word was:
As Paul tells us in the above verses, eliminate the things in my life that are clearly destroying me. Be honest, the television programs, movies, much of social media, magazines, the news; it’s full of violence, murder, cruelty, and SEX. “Do whatever feels good” no matter what the outcome. The result is, what goes in the mind; comes out in our own lives, and destroys us. So, what are you feeding your mind and soul on?
Take responsibility for personal actions, and decisions-stop blaming other’s for my life choices.
Take an honest look at what the people in my life are doing in their own lives; are they drug-addicted, hung over all the time from their own destructive patterns? I may need to walk away from some people, and the influence they are having on my life.
Find something to do that takes up the time and energy I used to waste on addictions, and put sweat and energy into something that gives purpose, and joy. For me, for many years it was taking care of elderly and disabled, studying the word of God, serving in ministry, and horses. God has given us a wonderful world to enjoy; He is not against us having goals, and dreams.
When the Lord saved me, he also set my feet on a path of restoration and righteousness, and has been faithful to His promises to keep me in every situation, no matter how difficult they have been, and has proven to me that this verse is true:
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
The stresses of life, suffering in grief, losses, cruelty from other’s, and many other circumstances can contribute to mental illness; I am not taking away the fact that this is a complex issue. But, God cares about the situation we find ourselves in, and no matter how we got there. He can restore you, and redeem you. The key is you have to decide to turn to Him and allow Him to work in your life to bring that restoration and healing. He has done it for me; and he can do it for you.
Lorna Couillard
The apostle Paul wrote these verses in prison, and in them he gives us great wisdom in addressing the problem of mental illness:
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Php 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
As soon as I came to Christ, and started studying His word, my eyes were opened and I saw the fact that I was living a life dictated by the choices I had made, and the people I had allowed in my life. People influence us, for good or bad; this is very important.
Some of the most important things the Lord taught me as I studied His word was:
As Paul tells us in the above verses, eliminate the things in my life that are clearly destroying me. Be honest, the television programs, movies, much of social media, magazines, the news; it’s full of violence, murder, cruelty, and SEX. “Do whatever feels good” no matter what the outcome. The result is, what goes in the mind; comes out in our own lives, and destroys us. So, what are you feeding your mind and soul on?
Take responsibility for personal actions, and decisions-stop blaming other’s for my life choices.
Take an honest look at what the people in my life are doing in their own lives; are they drug-addicted, hung over all the time from their own destructive patterns? I may need to walk away from some people, and the influence they are having on my life.
Find something to do that takes up the time and energy I used to waste on addictions, and put sweat and energy into something that gives purpose, and joy. For me, for many years it was taking care of elderly and disabled, studying the word of God, serving in ministry, and horses. God has given us a wonderful world to enjoy; He is not against us having goals, and dreams.
When the Lord saved me, he also set my feet on a path of restoration and righteousness, and has been faithful to His promises to keep me in every situation, no matter how difficult they have been, and has proven to me that this verse is true:
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
The stresses of life, suffering in grief, losses, cruelty from other’s, and many other circumstances can contribute to mental illness; I am not taking away the fact that this is a complex issue. But, God cares about the situation we find ourselves in, and no matter how we got there. He can restore you, and redeem you. The key is you have to decide to turn to Him and allow Him to work in your life to bring that restoration and healing. He has done it for me; and he can do it for you.
Lorna Couillard
