Prayer Seeking God's Help In Times of Mental Health Challenges

 MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

I was looking back at some of the previous topics we’ve prayed about together and I came across some things the prophet Jeremiah had to say to us.  His words seemed appropriate for all of us as we hear news again these days of the deepening mental health crisis that seems to be resulting from various aspects of the pandemic.  

Here in Canada we are hearing news reports almost daily about significant mental health issues around teenagers.  Statistics say now 1 in 5 Canadian teenagers has a challenging mental health condition.  In one city as schools closed again, a telephone service for kids reported a 110% increase in calls from the same period last year.  Year over year calls went from 1.8 million to 4.2 million.  The statistics are numbing and alarming at the same time.  They certainly seem to express what Jeremiah was saying with these words.

I remember how I suffered and wondered. I remember how bitter my life was.

I remember it very well. My spirit is very sad deep inside me.

Lamentations 3:19 - 20

Even though Jeremiah was having an awful time, that wasn’t the end of the story because in just the next verses we have these words that have brought hope and comfort to so many for centuries.

But then I think about this, and I have hope: we are still alive because the Lord‘s faithful love never ends every morning as he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! I say to myself, “The Lord is my God, and I trust him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for him. He is good to those who look for him. It is good to wait quietly for the Lord to save them. Lamentations 3:21 to 26

What a beautiful affirmation of healing and blessing not only for Jeremiah but for all of us who are willing to say the same thing.  Maybe you’re like I often was in the past – I heard those words but I just didn’t have the faith and hope to really believe they would make a difference or that God would act as those words said in my life on that particularly low day.  Then I think we can come to God like a guy who was heartbroken at the illness of his own youth – his son.  He’d brought the boy to the disciples and even their prayers hadn’t brought deliverance to the boy.  Jesus shows up and the man approaches him and here’s how the interaction goes. 

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”  “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.  Mark 9:21-27

Oh friends, deep and debilitating mental health conditions do exist and have for centuries but God is with us today.  Pandemics and uncertainties and changes only deepen the despair in some but God is able to do something about each and every situation.  We can begin with that honest prayer of the father, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”

Heavenly Father, we’re so grateful that life events don’t determine who we are. We can’t control people, places, or things. We certainly don’t seem to be able to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus as new places are reported every day of surges in virus infections and these virus variants turn up in more and more places around the world.

We’re grateful God that you promised to be with us through the fearful times we face. We need our minds to be filled with this truth so we can respond accordingly to whatever circumstances arise.  We thank you for the presence and the guidance of your Holy Spirit who is more than willing to show us how to walk one step at a time through our day so we can live above the powerful waves of sadness, depression, and despair that threaten us.  Help us Lord to allow You to comfort and heal our hearts, lift and change our thoughts, and shape our perspective with Your truth and Your power.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9

As we walk in Your ways God, we know that You will fill our hearts with peace and joy. We don’t have to live in darkness and despair because of the restrictions and changes in the strangeness of this pandemic season. We can find and experience great joy as we walk these days with You.

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

And so God, when life is difficult, when we have moments where things seem to overwhelm us, help us to remember that with You any difficulty can be worked out and overcome. We will commit our work to You Lord, and allow our thoughts to be established.  We are forever grateful that you care for us. Amen.