What Approach Should The Church Have To Mental Health Issues?

As I review the various Churches that I have either visited or regularly attended in Westchester County New York, I have seen a wide variety of approaches to dealing with the mentally ill among them.  The Church is the world in microcosm, therefore it should come as no surprise to my readers that we will be called upon to deal with the the vast array of problems that exist in our world.  Many of us come to Church seeking a connection with God or the wisdom of the Bible, when we have experienced a crisis.  Indeed, Jesus made reaching out to those in trouble or living in turmoil the centerpiece of His Ministry.  In following Jesus' footsteps, a Church should make that their focus also.

Keeping that in mind, it is quite surprising to see that so many Churches can't handle some simple problems associated with mental illness.  A few examples may clarify my meaning. Michelle* was brought up in a wealthy home in a village overlooking the Hudson River.  Her stepfather was a well-known artist whose work was exhibited in New York City galleries.  Her life was enriched by the presence of world-renown artists and the NYC intellectual elite.  So when she entered a Church that I attended, suffice it to say she was the most presentable, articulate mentally ill person that the Church was likely to ever encounter.

According to Michelle, she was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder when her marriage ended.  She initially had some sort of "nervous breakdown" and was hospitalized.  A whole series of tragedies had already ensued before she walked through our Church doors.  Those tragedies included : losing custody of her two children, family estrangement and financial collapse.  Michelle came to Church seeking growth and change and claiming a personal relationship with Jesus.  She quickly had the leaders of the Women's Ministry washing her dishes, cooking her food and giving her "love donations."  This Churchs' approach went all out as regarded those "less fortunate" than themselves.  So when Michelle would claim that she was too depressed to cook or wash the dishes because of her "condition" the ladies thought only of the Biblical mandate to "carry one another's burdens" from Galatians 6:2.  Problem.  This went on and on and the women began neglecting their own responsibilities and were beginning to get burned-out helping Sister Michelle. Twenty dollars soon became fifty dollars and pretty soon the ladies were tithing to Sister Michelle! There seemed to be no end in sight.

At another Church, Rocky* stood out like a sore thumb.  In a Church whose standard was subdued, almost lethargic, Rocky's over-the-top praise and worship struck a sour note.  Eyebrows were raised and notes were taken.  This man possessed a thorough knowledge of the Bible and was a committed Christian but something was not quite right.  His reactions at Church seemed beyond enthusiastic, and the things he said and did sometimes didn't seem appropriate, such as the way he spoke to children.  Would you believe me if I told you that I even heard him howl like a wolf?  Yes, that is true.  How did he think that would go over at a born-again Church?  It gave me the vague notion of demonic possession and I am sure I am not alone.  However, what struck a sour note with me was when a self-promoted leader of the Church spoke about Rocky with a less than a charitable tone.  Even hinting that Rocky might not belong at the Church.

So, at lunch recently, the topic of what a godly approach to dealing with mental health issues arose.  My two companions (Kevin*&Frank*)  and I passionately discussed this topic. Our feelings ran the gamut of emotions from loving acceptance, helpfulness, to fear and caution.  That night I had a dream and I would like to share the dream and my thoughts on this topic.  This is the open letter which I sent to my two lunch companions the day after our lunch.

I dreamt of Brother Rocky last night

I dreamt of Brother Rocky last night.  I think the reason for that is because the three of us have
openly discussed some very difficult issues.  Kevin is generous but protective, he represents acting
with wisdom.  I, on the other hand, act from the heart with no thought to the consequences.  Is this why Jesus wants all people to be a part of His Body so, that all our complementary talents would help us work things through correctly?

A girl on my softball team had a schizophrenic mother.  I loved this little girl and was determined to help her through it.  Her mother was in and out of institutions throughout the years.  She would show up at my front door when she was an outpatient.  She would get it into her head to walk the mile from her parents home to my house and then forget where I lived.  Her medicine would make her forget a lot of things.  So, she would pace up and down my block until she would recall which house was mine.  One neighbor was annoyed and asked me why I was even talking to this lady.  That neighbor was a baptized born-again believer by the way.

Over the years, my family tried to lend a helping hand to this woman with schizophrenia.  My daughters clothes would fit her so when her clothes looked shabby we gave her some replacements from their closets and some handbags.  She would sometimes come to my house and have paranoid thoughts.  I would try to help her change her course of thinking.  Other times, it was clear that I needed to convince her to take her medicine or to call her counselor.

When she acted belligerent, it made my husband uncomfortable because he was concerned for my safety.  I always thought that I could manage things but when we as Christians choose to lovingly reach out to those in need, we must be ready to accept the possible consequences.  We would do best to pray and be prepared as a Church.  Often people with mental health issues are drawn to and regularly attend Church.  I have known quite a few : bipolar, schizophrenic and many, many depressed persons.  Some of them are healed by the power of Jesus Christ, others are in successful medical programs to treat their illness and some need intelligent and compassionate assistance.  By the way, this young girl's mother eventually started to attend Church in my community and more than a few atheists in town declared that Christianity was a place for the unstable.  I happily declared that
to be true.

Last night, I dreamt of Brother Rocky.  I dreamt that every morning when I came downstairs to have breakfast or in the evening when I wanted to relax that Brother Rocky was there playing mellow jazz tunes on a saxophone.  At first, it was enjoyable but then I wanted it to stop.  I was trying so hard to be patient but he just kept playing and playing.  Other times, in the dream, I was trying to talk to him about some sermons that we had both heard, but he would not listen.  I thought that my dream was about counting the costs of loving our neighbor.

So, let us lovingly serve and yet use our God-given intelligence to have some safety rules in place and godly bounderies.  Intelligence to understand when we are not helping but hurting.  Intelligence to understand when we need to call for medical assistance or when it is time to lead someone to a Church Ministry which can better meet their needs.  Let us learn to be patient and love the people around us who don't fit in so neatly into societal parameters of normalcy.  Let us assist families and uplift them so that they can better function as caregivers.  Jesus said in Luke 5:31 that, "the well have no need of a physician." Let us strive to be merciful as our Lord was.  I pray that you examine your thoughts as you read through this post.  Consider what your response to these issues would be should they arise in your life or at your Church.  Here are some Ministries which can help you explore this topic.  They will truly inspire you.
Ministries
1. bethanyhamilton.com
2. thechosenministry.org
3. faithinclusionnetwork.org
4. joniandfriends.org

*Some of the names and a few details have been changed to protect the innocent.

Our Faith ( Young Adult Edition )

                                                        Vintage Books On My Shelf.

Everyone has faith in something.  Faith, as defined by the Webster's New World College Dictionary, is allegiance to some person or thing; loyalty or anything believed.  The question that we all have to ask ourselves is what things or persons do we believe in?  This is one of the most important questions that we have to continually ask ourselves.  It is important because the things that we believe in will influence our actions every day.

Do I believe my grandfather when he says that working hard at school is one of the most important things that I can do?  Or, do I believe that guy sitting next to me in class who says, that you will never need to use that algebra in real life?  There was a godly leader of the Jewish people who understood the importance of a belief system when he asked his whole nation to make a profession of what it was that they believed in.  His name was Joshua.  He said, " And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" Joshua 24:15.  Joshua continued, " As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

                                                          Remember God's Promises!

Just like Joshua, you need to know what those around you think and what they believe in.  What does that person that you get into a car with at school think about drinking and driving?  What about the friend who you think you can share your secrets with, are they someone who gossips?  And just like Joshua, we need to profess our own beliefs.  "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  If we make that decision and set our sites on following Jesus, He will bring us through the daily battles that we must fight and help us enter our own "promised land" which God has prepared for us.

God has a plan for your life and just like Joshua that plan begins with trusting in Him.  Joshua wasn't always a great leader.  There were twelve people chosen by Moses for a very scary mission (Numbers 13:1-33, & Numbers 14:1-9 ). God instructed Moses to pick twelve people to be spies to go into the land of Canaan and assess the danger level. One of these men was Joshua.  Times were tough for the Hebrew people.  They were facing war and being a spy has to be one of the most dangerous jobs there is.  If any of these spies were caught, they would have been killed.

                                                         Page From A Bible Timeline

Ten of the twelve spies reported the near impossibility of entering the land of Canaan and defeating its' inhabitants.  Ten of the spies thought they would loose a war with the Canaanites and be killed or taken into slavery.  The Jewish people became frightened and discouraged.  They spoke of deposing Moses and Aaron, God's leaders, and choosing a replacement for them.  It even looked as if the leaders of the Jewish Community might be killed and civil unrest ensue.  However, two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua calmed the crowds.  They reminded the people to have faith in the Lord.  They reminded people that God had promised them a long time ago that they would someday live in a "land which flows with milk and honey." (Exodus 3:8)

Joshua was a man of faith who held on to God's promises as he went through the challenges of his life.  When others around him were weak, he helped them to be strong.  He did this by knowing the Word of God and having a strong belief (faith) in it.  Without a strong faith in God some of the goals in our life may seem impossible, just like it did to the ten spies.  However, when we stay focused on God's goals for our life, we will be victorious.  Joshua's bravery, leadership and godliness was rewarded.  He became the next anointed leader of the Jewish people. Whenever you are facing a challenge remember what God said to Joshua, "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage." Joshua 1:5-6.

My Homemade Bookmark

Reflections On The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

                                                    Shamrocks on a window sill.

As I contemplate and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from death to life, I am filled with hope and joy.  Hope of change and growth for you and me and joy knowing that we will live with God someday.  The message of the Ressurrection is one of complete transformation.  It has the power to completely change our lives.  What needs to be transformed in your life today?  Is it a feeling such as depression, anger, or jealousy? A bad family or job?  Health, or what about circumstances related to the country in which you are living?  

Snowdrop flowers among the rocks.

Changing habits sometimes feels like an impossibility.  We tell ourselves, that we don't need to change and instead blame all our problems on circumstances that we can't control.  We feel trapped.   What we miss when we view things that way is the miracle of every moment to live life to the fullest, the way God intended.  Jesus said, "I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly."  John 10:10.  We limit God and that in turn causes us to struggle.  We fail to see what truly happened that day in the tomb where Jesus Christ was buried.

Purple Crocus

That "abundant life" does not depend on what kind of car that you drive or how much money that you make.   Instead, it comes from understanding that you were created and are loved by a mighty creator and that you are not here by chance.  The evil that you see in this world or in your life does not come from God but from those who have chosen to rebel against God Almighty.  God will one day 

vanquish evil forever, but until then He sent His Son Jesus : to bring comfort to you and protect you, to guide you everyday through His Word and His Holy Spirit, to give you eternal life and the guarantee of peace and justice.    All you have to do is accept it.  

Daffodils

                                                           
If you want to make a change in your life, as you reflect upon the life and death of Jesus Christ, that begins with acknowledging your sins (wrongdoing ).  If you have never prayed before, prayer is 

simply a conversation between you and God.  Go ahead, He's listening.  Talk to him about your life.  Are you sorry for the bad things that you have done that hurt God, yourself and others?  Jesus wants to forgive you and help you towards that abundant life which He spoke of.  Understand that Jesus died in your place for those sins that you have committed throughout your life.Why? Because true Godly justice requires that no bad deed could go unpunished.  Ask Jesus to be your Savior and to come into your life and give you a fresh start.

Spider Lily, Bermuda

If you have done that, you are now saved and will be with God in heaven someday.  Get a Bible (for the whole story), find a Church and continue to pray everyday.  At Church, you will find other believers who will help you to get baptized ( a sign of washing away the dirt and grime of your former life) and continue to learn about God. Happy Ressurrection Day!