Where Mental Hygiene and Faith Meet
In the labyrinth of life, we all become entangled with so many undertakings that our minds become jumbled up and bogged down. Add to that the numerous challenges, responsibilities and the pace of life itself, and you have a recipe for a clogged mind.
Can you identify with this? You wake up at ungodly hours, have a hectic day with quite a umber of twists and turns, trying to balance family, work, church activities, allocation of your funds- little or otherwise... the list goes on. Does your life seem intent on driving you nuts?
Well, you are not alone. Virtually everyone else is going through the same ordeal, only that they hav not been brave enough to seek solace. Let me tell you that you are closer to finding it, because you came to this post. Am not giving you a guarantee that your life will suddenly become reading but if you combine this text with faith in Christ Jesus, your life will be a lot easier and satisfying.
What part does faith play in my life, you ask? Faith and mental hygiene are entwined in a delicate dance of resilience, hope and community. Faith in God assures us of better things to come, knowing that He has better plans for us. We are assured that though the going may be tough today, God is working behind the scenes to make everything work out for our good.
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Through faith we are connected to something infinitely greater than ourselves- God, who gives us strength in our time of need. In this way we are empowered to see hardship and suffering in a different perspective. We know that present hardships are the premise for future testimony.
We also know that God is always there to comfort us, regardless of how hard the situation is, how mean the economy could be, how nagging the children are, how challenging the balancing game is proving. The book of Corinthians offers us consolation:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4New Living Translation
God Offers Comfort to All
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Life's challenges may plunge you in to a state of questioning, where you doubt everything- even your own sanity. Add to that feeling of guilt, shame, loneliness or abandonment.... You end up feeling like throwing in the cards. But don't be dismayed.
When all seems to be lost, you have God at your side. The more you are deserted, the more He draws near to you. The more guilt you feel, the more He reminds you of His love for you. The more he reminds you of No Condemnation for those in Christ.
God is closer to you, eager to carry you when you are broken and crushed. This is what He says in Psalms 147:3
Psalm 147:3New Living Translation
3
and bandages their wounds.
To find that peace amid the complexities in life, you first need to embrace your feelings. Although faith assures us of better things in the future, it doesn't negate the present situation. Instead of living in denial, accept the reality of the situation and how you feel about it. That's the only way you can genuinely develop a different outlook of the situation, and have a chance of ever changing things.
After you have accepted the reality and had a proper summation of it, you need to seek support from trusted friends and professionals. Instead of internalizing everything, share your thoughts with someone you trust. After all, a problem shared is a problem half-solved. This is what the book of Psalms tells us:
You may also consider connecting with a community. A faith community offers you a platform to share,laugh, unload, make friends and be merry. Why die alone when there is a faith community that could make life lively?
Don't forget to care for yourself. Self-care is one of the things we love to push back in a race against time, but it is the most important thing in your life.
Before your family, there is you. Before your finances, there is you. Before your engagements, there is you. prioritize self care and set aside time for unwinding, grabbing a snack and hitting the Gym. Thank me later for it. Christ said this to his group, who, obviously had neglected self-care:
Mark 6:31New Living Translation
31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
Lastly, you need to come back and ask yourself, what am I really living for? It's easier to navigate a life with meaning, purpose and direction. You know what to prioritize first and what come last. You also are able to cut back on unwanted jargon that could be holding you down and eating into your resources.
Luckily for you, you have faith in Christ, and he gives you a meaning and purpose in your life. He is the one who directs your steps. Am not suggesting that you should be fanatically religious, but pointing to your strength.
When you find purpose in your life, you are several strides into streamlining your life. What's better is that you have God, pulling the strings behind the scenes. He says he has great plans for you, and Am sure He won't rest until His plan in your life has succeeded. This is what He says in Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 29:11New Living Translation
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Remember you are not alone. Many have trodden the same path and come out with victory. Though it's not a smooth running, God has seen others before you through, and H eis not tired yet. He still wants you to put your trusting Him, ad He will carry you through too.
with support, resilience, and a steadfast connection to your faith, hope and healing are attainable.
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