Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/81

Contributor - J. W. Vandenberg

Title - Christian Mental Health

Topic - Mental Health

"I never knew that there was such a thing" might well be the reaction of some. Come along and see what this may have in store for you!

What is it? Let me try to explain a few statements and then we will be able to do something with these ideas. Most important of all, I believe is:

a) Having a happy relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The rest that fol_ lows all stems from this first one!

b ) Having peace with all people;

c ) Being able to accept yourself;

d) Having the ability to cope with all that is part of your life.

e) Having a deep desire to serve the Lord.

f) Being able to express your happiness and thanksgiving in the Lord to others;

g) Knowing God's direction for your life.

Now that we have come this far, I want to immediately add that Christian Mental Health is a MUST! It does not come by itself' Certain conditions and conscious efforts are needed! For some, more effort is needed than for others, depending on the background and training of the individual. A healthy Christian atmosphere exists, where all things are being considered and worked out with the help of the Lord. We could call this the BASIS for Christian Mental Health, since it will directly influence the family in its relationships. This is God's first requirement: a family with happy and healthy relationships. If this is lacking, failing or missing there still is hope and a chance. But it will be much harder than under the right conditions.

Christian Mental Health is at the same time a very personal state, even though we always live in relation to others. Joy and peace in Jesus Christ are first of all personal and cannot be taken away by anyone! Not even by Satan himself (unless you let him)! It also does not depend on others, although when shared with others, Christian Mental Health in the individual will be greatly enriched.

Where does a person find out about all this in the Bible? Here are some helpful texts (quoted from the New International Version):

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stead because he trusts in you. fast, I Peter 1: 1 3 prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled, set your hopefully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. "

Philippians 4:6, 7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. "

Romans 12:2 "I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will."

From these verses we can readily see that Christian Mental Health is not an option! Nor is it an accident! Accepting God's advice will help us stay or become Mentally Healthy. God wants us to do what His Word says. Other very helpful places in the Scripture where God's advice is loud and clear are in The Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7; also see II Peter 1: 3, 5 8.

Some further observations: when something goes wrong with our Mental Health, we cannot call that a disgrace, nor is it contagious! It is most necessary for us to see things in their right perspective. The Christian Community should be a haven to meet the needs of all. What does one do when things go wrong anyway? Find help! One of the problems in most of our churches is that we do not have a very close fellowship, and thus it often becomes very difficult to obey James 5:16 "...confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective". Then also: try not to feel so badly about your mistakes, failures or shortcomings, for the Lord Jesus came especially for you. The Good News of Jesus Christ contains all that any person may ever want or need to support his Christian Mental Health. In the process of faithfully following and obeying our Lord, He can begin His healing process.

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