What’s on your mind?

What Wikipedia Can’t Tell You

• What’s on your mind?

The mind is a beautiful thing. Stories have been written about it, movies made about it, and we hear something on the radio or TV every single day about it. Unfortunately, lately what we hear is the mind/mental health for a lot of Americans is declining rapidly. With so much bad news, I want to know how I can protect my mental health.

Numerous MHMR publications talk about mental strength. They all say to maintain mental strength is a choice. There are certain habits mentally strong people do to boost their mental strength, such as focus on progress; be in a learning mode; have courage; take responsibility and be accountable to yourself and others; set clear goals; be present and intentional; be creative not reactive; focus on the present and future, not past; have a clear purpose; do what’s important; remain hopeful and positive; and concentrate on your input (what you read and listen to). A person’s faith and practice of praying plays a huge role in the mental health of an individual. It is reported 59.3 million Americans suffer from mental illness. It helps to turn to God when we are experiencing difficulties like depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. One of the ways we do this is through prayer. Prayer helps us connect with God, who is “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Through prayer, we can be honest about the concerns that are weighing on our hearts. Like the Psalmist, we can cry out to God for His help and lay down our heaviest burdens (Ps. 55:17).

It’s common to hide when we feel depressed or anxious, retreating from our family, friends, and community, even from God. The Bible tells us, however, to do the exact opposite … to go to God in our times of deepest discouragement. Hebrews 4:16 states, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The Bible also promises hope and help when we struggle. Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” We can rest on the promise that God is always there for us.

It’s important to seek help when the pain feels too much to bear alone. While reading the Bible and praying often definitely help, meeting with a professional counselor can help tremendously. There is no shame in needing the help of a professional to talk through your concerns. Combining the spiritual discipline of prayer with counseling can help promote both healing and resilience.

Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It!. isit her blog, The Second Mile, at www.debbyefurd. com and contact her by email (caryjohnefurdministries@ gmail.com).