Today is World Mental Health Day. 💚
I didn't have a clue until I was notified by my computer as I sat down to write this blog. Ironically enough, I was planning to write about “peace” (or more accurately, “shalom”). This is the verse that God had put upon my heart:
I was intrigued by the offer of “perfect peace”. Aren't you?
After a little research, I learned the word “perfect” was not used in the original text. The original Hebrew is actually, “shalom shalom”. You see, the writers and scribes of the Bible didn't have those handy dandy yellow highlighters so when they wanted to emphasize something, they repeated it.
While most of us define peace as the absence of conflict or hostility, the Hebrew word means so much more. "Shalom" has always been an important word to God's chosen people, being deeply rooted in Jewish history. Shalom is interpreted as the all-encompassing idea of wholeness, completeness, fullness of health, quietness of spirit, feelings of harmony, safety, and blessing... basically an overall happiness of heart. Shalom is peace within and without, with man and God, in the present, the future and everywhere in between.
Think of something with a lot of working parts. When all the parts are working together, everything is at peace. When the parts are out of alignment, the peace is broken. "Shalom shalom" is a restoration to wholeness.
Here's the deal, though. This promise of “perfect peace” is conditional. In case you didn't notice, Isaiah threw a couple of pesky “ifs” in that verse. God will keep us in “shalom shalom” IF our mind is stayed on Him and IF we trust in Him. There's a cause and effect going on that has a lot to do with our heart and MIND.
What does it mean to have our mind “stayed” on God? This word in Hebrew is “samak” and it means to “lean”, as used in Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and LEAN NOT on your own understanding." Leaning our minds upon the Lord comes natural when we trust Him.
Conversely, when we put our trust in anything or anyone else (including ourselves) our mind will not be “stayed” upon Him. That's when peace – even imperfect peace – becomes iillusive.
I'd like to take credit for discovering this truth, but honestly, it's as old as dirt. Literally. The first ones who figured out how to lose their God-given peace were Adam and Eve.
And then along came Jesus... the embodiment of Shalom. He roamed the Middle East without bodyguards or bullets. He touched lepers, dined with tax collectors, chatted with hookers and waded out into storms, all with Perfect Peace. Remember what He told his disciples at the Last Supper?
Then, do you remember what Jesus did after His resurrection? He surprised the depressed apostles when he walked right through a locked door, flashed a nail-scarred peace sign and said, "PEACE be with you!" (John 20:19)
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Over half of all Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder during their lifetime.
During any given year, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness.
One in 25 Americans is living with a serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression).
One in five. That's my family, y'all. And I bet it's yours, as well.
It might even be you.
So where is perfect peace in the midst of mental illness? If mental health issues are a part of your life, your marriage, your family... "shalom shalom" can still be found from a different perspective, but in the same way. Lean your mind on Him. Trust Him to give you who and what you need to restore your broken pieces together into the wholeness of SHALOM.
As Believers, we know that God is The Great Physician - the ultimate source of all healing. Still, if you're a diabetic, you may also need insulin. And if you have clinical depression, store bought serotonin could be just what the doctor ordered.
What we don't need to do is hyper-spiritualize mental illness and disregard the holistic healing of biology, psychology and spirituality combined.
But the presence of pain does not mean the absence of Jesus. In fact, He will meet you right in the middle of your pain and brokenness.
If you have mental illness, please don't give up. Don't give in. Keep your mind stayed on Jesus. He will help you win battles nobody else even knows about.
Shalom,
Shalom.
