Close To My Heart

Most people do not know that they are dysfunctional. The reality is we are all uniquely and wonderfully made with our own quirks and defense mechanisms. The very thinking styles, behavioral and instinctual responses that are used for safety all too often keep us stuck in patterns that impact our quality of life. We all face issues related to mental health and emotional wellness. In the U.S., anxiety is the most common mental illness experienced by adults. Eighteen percent of the population is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder each year and only 36.9 percent of those diagnosed receive treatment. It takes a high level of courage to reach out for help in a world that is quick to cast judgment on those who need support. Everyone could benefit from therapy and life coaching. It is completely normal to struggle with maintaining a healthy balance with all the roles and responsibilities in our lives. It’s normal to get into ruts in our marriages. We all have blind spots that get in the way of intimacy and connection. We all fear losing connection with others or fear being seen as we are. All are a part of the human experience. Unfortunately, these struggles and accompanying parts of ourselves calling out for attention tend to get shoved into the shadows of our consciousness. We don’t address them or try to understand them until they start creating disruption to the point they can no longer be ignored. It’s easier to blame or point at others’ struggles than it is to “take the log out of our own eye” and see our own dysfunctional selves. Conflict, grief, stress, addiction, depression, anxiety, and trauma all provide opportunities to learn about ourselves and change patterns that are no longer serving us. Successful struggle requires growth. Just like one’s physical health depends upon knowing about our body, developing healthy habits and, at times, seeking professional intervention; mental health also requires knowledge of ourselves, developing necessary healthy habits, and professional intervention at times. Maintenance and practice of healthy choices in both areas can decrease the risk of major illness.

I know that you are discouraged at this point of your life. You may believe that your situation is hopeless and that by committing suicide you will be able to solve all your problems. But I would like you to consider some other facts.

First, just because your life ends on this earth does not mean that it is the end. You will have to face your Creator and give an account for the life that He gave you. What will you say when He asks you, “Why did you do that? I had a future planned for you. I am the God of hope. I intended to walk with you through your struggles and give you victory. I wanted you to lean on Me and learn to trust Me so that your life would be a testimony that encouraged others going through difficult times.”

Second, not all suicide attempts are successful. If one survives, there may be permanent brain or liver damage or some other debilitating injury.

Finally, God has a perfect will for each person, including you. He knows how to make your life meaningful but you will have to yield yourself to Him. Let Christ be your example. He endured pain, rejection, ridicule and a terrible death. But He did not commit suicide. He leaned on His heavenly Father for grace and strength. He was victorious! You too can be victorious over your situation.

“Old School” is a phrase that points back to a time when some things just seemed to be better. Some old school cars continue to be appreciated because of their beauty, dependability, and capability. Old school music is often appreciated due to guitar solos and vocal harmony without layered, studio reverb, and Auto-Tune pitch correction). In short, “Old School” is something we should welcome back into our fast-past contemporary lives.

For example, consider Psalm 78:5-8, “For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

Way back then, discipleship started in the home. If we want our children to love and follow the one true God passionately and consistently, we would do well to keep it “old school”– go back to that ancient foundational practice in our contemporary lives. What are YOU doing to help your children “not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments”?

Here are some practical ideas to engage on a regular basis:

Talk about who God is and what God commands.

Read the Scriptures together.

Pray with your children.

Be the example of what you expect.

It is foolish to expect our children to, “Do as I say, not as I do”. Kids see right through that hypocrisy and it usually leads to following in the footsteps, “as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

As parents and mentors who love Jesus, it is our great privilege and responsibility to lead them to love Him.