Nope, that’s a question far bigger than I’m qualified to answer. On the other hand, I can offer a prospective: the world is coming to what it always has. Feast. Famine. Death. Taxes. War. Rumors of war. Love. Hope. Romance. Broken hearts. New babies. Old folks. And so on. As with most situations, we can perceive through a glass half full, or half empty. If we have a Christian worldview, we tend to think it’s all unfolding the way it’s supposed to.
Oddly enough, I was writing this post when I noticed my calendar says it’s World Mental Health Day. There’s no doubt the recent focus on mental health—treatment and understanding for those impacted by a complex diagnosis as well as those who care for and love them—is serious business, and it needs to be. For far too long we’ve categorized, judged, and relegated these individuals to the darker corners of society.
On the other hand, I believe each of us have many opportunities to maintain good mental health apart from any clinical evidence of a more serious issue. We might not be able to fix the world, but we sure can make a positive contribution. What then, is good mental health?
I’m not a theologian but it seems to me a central tenet of most religions is a belief in God, or the Divine, or a Higher Power. In that light, we have a guide for how to live in peace and harmony with one another, as well as ourselves.
What is in that guide? For Christians, a good place to start is the 10 Commandments [Exodus 20: 1-17], the Beatitudes [Matthew 5: 1-12], or the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit [Isaiah 11:2].
Here’s the “glass” perspective: we can look at these lists of wisdom and counsel and say “too much, too hard, too many,” or we can begin with ONE list and ONE concept and live it as best we can, one moment, one day at a time. Just ONE. And then go from there as we learn, grow, and mature in our faith.
While it is God’s desire we take personal responsibility and choose to love, He is also aware of our human weakness and offers us encouragement and hope to persevere and stay the course [Isaiah 40: 28:31].
So, what is our world coming to? Only God truly knows. In the meantime, Let us choose actions that contribute to loving thoughts and a healthy mind. And then trust that God is more than able to take care of the rest.
Am I concerned about what our world is coming to?
How do I feel about my mental health?
What can I do to make a “glass half full” contribution to the greater good?
