Introduction
The word ‘bedrock’ is another word for foundation. Therefore, this article is about the foundation on which you can build your life to ensure that you enjoy sound mental health.
Mental Health is “a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.” (Oxford Dictionary).
“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.” MentalHealth.Gov
On the other hand, Mental Health Disorders refers to “… a wide range of mental health conditions – disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behaviour. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviours.” Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
The Medical Profession recognizes an aspect of therapy which is referred to as spiritual therapy. This is “the use of beliefs, religious practices, and prayer to treat disease.” Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners.
If spiritual therapy can be applied to physical ailments, we can apply it to emotional, psychological, and social ailments which mental health disorders characterize. Therefore, this article is a blend of Scientific facts and Biblical truth.
PLEASE NOTE: This Article is not a substitute for receiving help from a licensed Mental Health Professional if you must! If you are experiencing a mental health challenge, or having suicidal thoughts, please, quickly seek help! You can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline in your area or talk to a therapist!
The importance of a foundation
The foundation is “the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level.” (Oxford Dictionary). A foundation is crucial to a building’s stability; if the foundation is solid, the superstructure will be stable and vice versa.
Two categories of Builders
In Matthew 7:24-27, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke about two categories of builders – the wise and the foolish. The wise built his house on the rock; this is the one who hears Christ’s words and obeys them. The foolish built his house on the sand; this is the one who hears Christ’s words but does not do them.
It is a known fact that a sandy foundation is porous, weak, and unreliable; so, it cannot withstand stress, and collapse is unavoidable! On the other hand, a rocky foundation is solid, strong, and reliable; therefore, it can withstand stress, and stand firm!
These two categories of builders were faced with the same situation in life. They encountered contrary weather as “… the rain descended, the floods came, and winds blew and beat on that house ….” Matthew 7:25 and 27.
However, for the wise builder (the obedient one), his house “… did not fall, for it was founded on the rock,” (Matthew 7:25b); but, for the foolish builder (the disobedient one), his house “… fell…. And great was that fall.”’ Matthew 7:27b.
Life’s Solid Rock
The Bible says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2.
The loving Almighty God provided salvation for mankind’s souls through Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
When you embrace God’s salvation plan through Jesus Christ, and abide in obedience to God, your life is built on the Rock! This does not mean the absence of life’s challenges, but that you cannot sink on the Rock!
When you reject God’s salvation gift, or have embraced God’s salvation gift, but living in disobedience to God; or have turned back from following Christ, your life is on a sinking sand! Thus, you will be unable to withstand the rains, floods, and winds of life, making emotional collapse inevitable!
Obedience and Mental Health
After the salvation experience, the Christian is to live a life of obedience to God. This equips and strengthens one (through the indwelling Holy Spirit) to withstand life’s stresses without collapsing emotionally.
The one whose lifestyle does not comply with God’s Word is called a foolish builder. When faced with the ‘rains, floods, and winds’ of life (life’s trials and vicissitudes), such will collapse emotionally, and have mental health disorders.
Therefore, I ask you, have you made Jesus Christ the Bedrock (Foundation) of your life? Have you accepted God’s Salvation Gift through Jesus Christ, through genuine repentance from sin, and a lifestyle of obedience to God’s Word?
If yes, please, keep going for Jesus Christ till the end; thus, you are strengthened against life’s changing seasons. You will enjoy sound mental health on earth and gain eternal life in heaven when you exit this world!
“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:8.
Therefore, if you are not yet born again, please, quickly flee for your precious soul now! Quickly repent from sin, invite Jesus Christ into your life as personal Lord and Saviour; then, continue in obedience to Him. This is not only to enjoy sound mental health on earth, but mainly because of your eternal welfare.
Thus, Jesus Christ becomes the bedrock of your life; this helps you to stand when confronted with life’s rains, floods, and winds. As you abide in obedience to God till the end of your life, you will enjoy eternal life with God in Heaven!
Struggling with your Mental Health?
Perhaps you are experiencing a mental health challenge – anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug addiction, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shopping addiction etc. Please, do not despair, look up to God for help.
The Almighty God loves you and wants you to be happy and fulfilled despite life’s ‘rains, floods, and winds’; to enjoy all-round health on earth, and eternal life in Heaven. The Bible says:
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2.
Also, “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20). God’s Word is backed by His power and faithfulness; and can heal from all forms of disorders if you have faith.
God says, “… I am the Lord, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26 (GW).
Therefore, if you are experiencing any mental health disorder, there is help, hope, and healing for you in God. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37.
This is very Important
As we live in obedience to God’s Word, and continually trust Him to strengthen us to enjoy sound mental health, there are certain physical actions we need to take to safeguard our mental health; some of these are:
- Regular physical exercises.
- Eating of balanced Diet, and avoidance of junk food.
- Taking time for healthy and God-glorifying Recreation.
- Been wary of relationships; by avoiding careless social interactions.
- Avoidance of overwork to prevent stress.
- Adequate physical rest; both in quantity and quality.
- Setting and protecting healthy boundaries around your life; to prevent overwork and breakdown.
- Prudence with money; and a regular savings habit, no matter how little.
- Avoidance of greed, covetousness, and materialism.
- Having a heart of gratitude towards God; also, been appreciative of people’s kind deeds to us. Please note that Scientific Research has found a correlation between gratitude and enhanced mental health.
Conclusion
As you run the race Home, remember to be a wise builder; by allowing your heart to be full of God’s Word (Colossians 3:16), and living a Word-compliant life! This means, daily living with eternity in view; living each moment as if JESUS CHRIST will return that very moment! The Bible says:
“… everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.
As you do, you will enjoy God’s peace and joy on earth, even amid life’s challenges; thus, your mental health will be enhanced. Above all, when the curtain of life is drawn, you will enjoy eternal life with God in Heaven.
MARANATHA!
