By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
TUESDAY
THEME: EVIDENCE: JOB REVEALS, PART I
SCRIPTURE: Job 13:15
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.”
REFLECTIONS
Across the globe, efforts are being made to ensure that 100 million people access mental health services. The WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019-2023) launched in 2019 is expected to create awareness and provide services for all. Depression and anxiety are manifestations of mental health problems. Many mental health patients diagnosed with depression have this condition due to negative experiences they have had. With the current global economic downturn affecting people’s jobs, collapsed businesses, the soaring cost of living, reduced value of money, and surging youth unemployment, Wars and conflicts with several thousands of people displaced and rendered refugees, anxiety and depression will escalate. Despite the effects of these experiences, we can maintain a balanced mental health – a goal we must strive for. However, for the Christian, there is no option than to maintain your integrity with God. Trust in God is a crucial antidote to mental health problems.
Job is one whose mental health pattern should be studied. He had impeccable mental health. He demonstrates this before and throughout his suffering. Job’s experience of affliction was unfortunate. He had tasted good days and enjoyed the blessings of God in all aspects of his life – a close relationship with God, a lovely family with wonderful and God-fearing children, enormous material possessions, the high regard in society, and the value of his word, his influence, and the favor he had with the powers that be. Just in one day, his fortunes turned into misfortunes. If his life were fixed on seeking things – wealth, fame, status, etc., then his world would have crumbled without hope, but it was not so with Job.
As Job endured pain – severe bodily pains (protruding sores all over the body), provocation – his friends judging and accusing him falsely, desertion – his wife saying to him curse God and die, stigma and isolation – friends and community people, including even children, despising him; his eyes and mind were clearly and solidly focused on God, who he believed did all things well. Stable mental health is the key to real living, endurance, and success. With good mental health, you are not worried or affected by people’s negative comments and looks.
Let us explore some evidence of mental health. First, good mental health manifests in how people react when they receive bad news. Within a short space of time, Job received terrible news in succession. Though the news was bad, he was calm and thoughtful. The ability to absorb such negative information requires that one will be stable and bring to bear past good experiences. Upon hearing the news, Job could have cursed God, disbelieved in the existence of God, or decided to blame or leave God alone and take things into his own hands. Second, he chose to worship God and acknowledge His supremacy. He affirmed what Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Anyone who lives this way – a life of gratitude and praise to God will never fret, worry, fear, or be anxious. When the heart is grateful, the mind will support calm and stable mental health.
Any Christian who in severe affliction, tribulations, trials, perplexities, and loss can declare: i) “. . .The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” and ii) “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.” – Job 1:20; 13:15; is a victor and a person with optimum mental health. Faith in God prevents depression and anxiety with their attendant evils, such as suicide. Suicide is not an option. A child of God will have inner peace because they trust in God, who can change times and seasons. Your hope for today and tomorrow must be anchored on Jesus Christ, who has promised to be with you always (Matthew 28:20).
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
“Faithful” – New Era Acapella
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for His loving kindness; thank God for standing by you in your trials; pray to trust God even when things go sour;
– Pray for family members, friends, Church members, and acquaintances who are facing terrible life experiences; pray for good mental health for those in your circle of influence;
– Pray for providers of mental health in the country; pray for people with depression and other mental health challenges to seek medical care; pray for victims of war and disasters;
– Pray for leaders to have balanced mental health to make decisions promoting peace, human dignity, and prosperity; pray for people to trust God in all situations.
