(NOTE*: Revised September 20, 2022 BP)
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| Do You see me in this difficult place, Lord? |
Our Messiah Cares Deeply
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? [equivalent
to a penny approx.] And one of them shall not fall on the ground without
your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear you not therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
[Mat 10:29-31] (spoken by the Messiah Jesus/Yeshua)
The Berean Standard Bible, as well as the NKJV
[New King James Version] translates the latter part as: “Yet not one of them
will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.”
[…] without your Father’s ([1: knowledge – [2.
consent – [3. permission.” The last three words are used in the [1: NAB
[New American Bible], HCSB [Holman Christian Standard Bible] and ISV
[International Standard Version] respectfully.
It is a standard doctrine (teaching) and a
well-known (but not always believed) fact that nothing happens outside
of God’s “knowledge, consent/permission”. It is either believed that the true,
living God is Sovereign or He is not.
We either believe God [YHVH/YHWH] to be Omni-sapient (all-wise),
Omniscient (all-knowing/all-seeing), Omnipresent [ubiquitous] (present
everywhere at the same time), Omnipotent (all-powerful) …or we
believe He is limited.
People can get into fruitless debates over “free will”
or facetiously state that God is limited because He cannot create four-sided
triangles (and other frivolous nonsense or dredging up dry (deadpan)
humour); fast, ground-skidding curve balls.
Just let them fly by. Such things are trivial and
temporal, and not worth any upset. The Creator of all is fully aware of all
that goes on, and despite what some may surmise, He cares, our Lord and Messiah
cares deeply.
Our Triune Nature
Many have no problem stating that God is monotheistic
(ONE real God; one true living God), yet stumble when trying to
explain Jesus/Yeshua and the Holy Spirit – yet, the three, though separate, are
‘one’.
I used to, until I came to understand Jesus as the
WORD of God (come in the flesh, and walked amongst us), and the Holy Spirit
being the very essence of God. It took me awhile to understand how man is made
in His image.
When I was young, I always thought the ‘soul’ and ‘spirit’
were the same thing, so that we had a body and a soul (spirit). One day,
someone pointed out a scripture to show me that it is written that we are body,
soul AND spirit.
For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper
than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the diving asunder of SOUL
and SPIRIT, and of the joints and marrow [BONE/BODY],
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [Heb 4:12]
The Word of God deals with body, soul and spirit. Man
is a triune being; one real person with a soul and spirit. We are one being
with three separate parts. Some may debate the verse up above, but scripture
interprets scripture.
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I
pray God your whole spirit and soul
and body be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [1Thes5:23]
I love it when things all come together in TRUTH! My
purpose in establishing that we are triune is an effort to assure the reader
that God cares about every part of us, body, soul and spirit.
When something greatly affects one part of us, it will
ripple and affect every part of us, some areas strongly; others barely, but it
affects us. Some may wonder what the scripture about the [little] sparrow has
to do with body, soul and spirit.
Some may think it is not related. However, they are.
The opening sentence in the book of Matthew has the apostle telling us about
Jesus and the responsibility He gave his 12 apostles.
It is written:
And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples,
He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all
manner of sickness and all manner of disease. [Mat 10:1]
Jesus covered a gamut of topics, however, [these topics] addressed
not only what was expected of them, and what they could expect from others as a
result of their mission, but He also reassured them of His love and care, in
order to alleviate fear and initiate calm, rest and inner peace (quenching doubt).
Do Christians Struggle with Mental Health?
The answer to the above question is a resounding YES! We can struggle and many do. It is not a sign of weakness, or lack of faith. There is a myriad of reasons why this can happen. It is not so cut and dry, or something that can be described in just a few sentences or paragraphs.
I had stated that if I were to go back, I could say it
all began in 2017, but I zeroed in on the last two and a half years (naturally)
because that is when everyone’s world got turned upside-down and inside-out.
One thing I learned about a very long time ago is the stigma that still hangs as a stench in the air in most Christian circles when it comes to the area of mental health.
I have been
working on an article in the hopes that it will help others because I know that
I know that I know that I am not alone.
Every person alive has a breaking point. Some reach it, some do not.
If you are struggling, you are not alone. If you are confused, or feel hopeless, or have been suffering silently because you feel like no one would understand or even care, you need not suffer alone.
Many do not know how to describe what they are feeling or going through, or they are afraid of being judged wrongfully, rejected, ridiculed or avoided. My friend, you do not have to be silent.
I lived through gossip and backbiting, betrayals and rejections, right along with lies and false accusations, misunderstandings and harsh judgments.
I intimately know the emptiness of isolation and aloneness. If it were not for Jesus, I would never
have made it this far.
He IS our refuge, our strong tower. We CAN tell Him anything, any time, anywhere...and in fact, He prefers it (desires it). He understands us better than we understand ourselves. He knows all our faults, shortcomings and flaws - even knowing all that (for each one of us these things exist and they vary), He still willingly laid down His life upon a rugged tree (cross). So great is His [agape] love!
When a Christian has a meltdown or a breakdown, tongues often begin wagging, but fear not. I urge you to be strong enough to not take on bitterness or hatred (no matter how tempting or justified), even if you have to work through a rollercoaster of emotions [to accomplish it].
On the other hand, you may be surprised at the non-judgmental hand(s) that reach out with compassion, a listening ear and understanding. The very first one we should confide in is our Maker.
Yes, this is a topic that I was going to go to my grave with. Although I did speak a bit to a dear friend, in confidence, I was too ashamed to go into it too deeply, or reveal how long I had been suffering silently.
Thinking I was alone, a wreck for a Christian, a weak and useless 'warrior' (in fact, I told myself I was not one at all, just a 'wannabe'), even one who failed to endure; ashamed of my weakness, and not understanding what went wrong with me and why.
Searching my heart, searching, searching...and coming up with all the wrong answers - even being persuaded sometimes by the adversary, yes, the accuser of the brethren.
He knows how to come at us, what buttons to push, and O! how he loves to repeatedly kick you when you are already down. Then, adding guilt and condemnation to the mix, I have been undone.
In my next article, I will share more, for the intention is transparency, no matter what anyone decides to think of me. There are others in the body of Christ who need help; who need to know that they are not alone.
You have come this far. It is going to be okay - but it cannot be accomplished in a defining way without Christ Jesus (Yeshua).
Remember, it is not just about the soul realm (mind, mental health etc), but also our body, and more importantly, our spirit. For when we leave these temporary vessels that we now live in, it is our spirit FIRST that looks to eternity. The glorified bodies (for those saved) is after the resurrection.
We are triune beings and all three parts must be cared for.
But friend, it is not over until it is over! There is hope. Christ (Messiah) Jesus is right here - AND - He is right there with you. If you can shake the negative thoughts (cast them down) out of your mind and take a moment, even a few moments to let the Lord know you need Him!
There were signs I saw back in 2018 when I noticed I
was weeping over little things, or suddenly bursting out in silent tears without explanation. I began
to silently compare myself to Jeremiah, not because I considered myself a
prophet, but simply because he was known for his weeping (he was so moved at the
condition of the world, the downfall of his beloved people and nation, the sin condition, and his
own life) …
Jeremiah suffered major depression and anxiety. Read Lamentation; read the book of Jeremiah. Listen to his anguish and suffering, yet he countered it, time and again with what? Fragments of hope. Jeremiah would not let go of God or his trust in Him, or the hope he had in Him.
Time ticked on and I was seeing other signs out of the ordinary, signs such as irritability, moodiness, sleep disturbances that would change into chronic fatigue, and pain – nonstop,
chronic, seemingly never-ending, physical pain that soon spread into the soul realm, into the mind, reaching to the emotions and feelings.
Shattered by Meltdown or Breakdown
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| Do you feel like you cannot keep it together? |
At this time, I am picking up the pieces – actually, the Lord has been doing that, and slowly putting me back together. I am in a fragile
state at this time. I say that not for sympathy, but as a reality.
No matter what my flesh, the world or any devil throws my way, I will not let go of my King and LORD. I will keep on my armour, and fight each battle when and as led. At least, I sure am trying...
It is Yeshua (my Jesus) that has held me up,
and kept me together. Please bear with me, as my energy and abilities are not quite
up to par. It takes me quite awhile to do things, if they do get done in a certain day at all...though I am trying.
Do I have all my mental faculties together – imagination, thoughts, memory, perception, reasoning, knowledge and will? Hmm, for the most part, yes, I like to think so. However, it is a fact that I do have moments, however brief.
We serve an awesome God (so tragic that the word is overused for everything but God); a magnificent Creator, a loving and good Father, a wise and Wonderful Counsellor.
Hang in there, brother, sister, friend, stranger – you
are NOT alone and yes, there IS hope, and the HOPE is in Jesus, who loves you
even if you feel unlovable. Christ does not reject us, leave us or ever forsake
us.
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| You do not need much - just a mustard seed of faith |
Hold fast, my friend, even if all you have seems as tiny as a grain of mustard seed – that’s enough!
Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walks about seeking whom he may devour;
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the
same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [1Pet
5:7-9]
There is a reason why the Lord allows us to go through what we go through. Typically, we do not understand 'why'. He is not cruel. He is wise. Growing pains --- hurt. The furnace of affliction is "HOT" (even up to seven times hotter than normal).
I realize it “feels” like you are alone, and outwardly it may well be that way (that you are or have been alone/isolated), but you are not a castaway, nor are you [spiritually] alone.
You are
greatly loved! Hold on; help is coming!
for His glory
Bonita dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com
Addendum: I hope to have a more in-depth article up no later than the weekend, Lord willing. BP
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