Reflection Friday

“Believers also face trying times.”

The issue of mental health is often discussed in the world and rarely or almost never in the church. Perhaps because we have the Christianese language of “just be strong.” It has robbed us of many gifted people. It has destroyed marriages. It has crept into the pulpit where we have anointed ministers smiling and delivering the message with power yet in their closets they are weak, bruised and tired. The truth is this is a real problem that must be confronted and dealt with by teaching people how to deal with such things from the lenses of scripture.

Many Christians turn to the secular world instead of the church, because they sense they will get more understanding, sympathy, and help there. However, secular approaches can sometimes lead to further spiritual difficulties and complications. Dear Christian, the solution is here with us. We have the desperately needed antidote for anxiety, brokenness, depression. Before l go any further, how are you? How’s your heart? Your mind? (Id like for you to actually verbalise your response. Say it out as opposed to a thought response) How has your week been? Shall l be honest with you, l had an okay week, l felt more rested yet I did have anxieties about certain areas of my life.

While he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We read about the prophet Elijah who felt suicidal at a point in life. Was he a man of God? Yes. Was he anointed? Double yes. Elijah had endured a traumatic episode with the prophets of Baal and Asherah up in the northern region of Carmel. Although he successfully dispatched the prophets and demonstrated God’s power to Ahab, something was wrong. I imagine we can all think of difficult situation like this. When we were triggered by fear or pain to say, “You know what, l cannot do this anymore.” We can think of Hagar in the wilderness with her young boy, but God would not allow that situation to endure.

Some of us have experienced many years of victory and so we can’t seem to understand how things could suddenly go wrong. I love Elijah though. He teaches us to bring all our emotions to God. Telling the Father that you had a bad week and you need a hug. Listen to what the Bible says , “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.” James 5:17 (AMP) How did such a man find himself saying he wants to die, he’s tired, he’s done with life? I by no means am an expert in mysteries of scripture but l am certain this story will encourage you that depression and mental health issues are experienced by the best of us and it’s possible to overcome them.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
— Psalm 73:26 NIV 

Elijah felt alone in his struggle, a common sentiment we can feel when we are depressed , anxious or scared. Look into the mirror. Do you need a hug? I may be unable to give you one but God can. God CARES. He cares even during the moments when you feel He doesn’t. The number 1 way to prolong a low season is to stay down. The key is knowing when enough is enough and when it’s time to get up. When it’s time to look the enemy in the eye and remind him that you have dominion over the situation. If the David in you does not arise to face the giant, the giant will bully you to your defeat. David ARISE! Elijah ARISE! Gideon ARISE! Déborah ARISE! Hannah ARISE! Vanessa ARISE! Arise and shine! Arise and eat and go in thy strength!

Let the dna of the Lion of the tribe of Judah in you kick in and you roar away all fear. Don’t stay down. Start to laugh. Laugh in the spirit! Hahahaha laugh at the enemy! Did he think he would take you down? Really? A whole you? A mighty you? A gifted beautiful you? A Jesus filled you? NEVER! I want you to verbalise it, DEVIL YOU CANNOT MAKE MY LIFE YOUR PLAYGROUND! Take authority! And hey, you are more powerful than you think. You don’t really want to die, you want a hug from your Abba! Get it and Get up!

I got a picture for you! Make a sound in the spirit! Don’t be silent! ROAAAAR. I bet you can even hear this picture!

Have a good weekend! I love youuuuuuuuuuuu! 💗