Mental Health
It seems painfully obvious that there is an epidemic of mental distress in our society. The pressures of the world can overwhelm the senses and captivate the thought life. Can we expect mental health in the world in which we live?
How can we define mental health? Perfect peace comes to mind. Peace is defined as: Shalom = welfare, health, prosperity, peace.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts in You. (Isa 26:3)
Our mind can be defined as consciousness, perception, thinking, judgement, language and memory. In other words, when those areas are established in Him there is welfare, health, prosperity and peace. We see a similar exhortation in Romans 12.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Ro 12:2)
Literal translation: And be not fashioned and formed to this age: but be transfigured by the renovation of your mind, that you may discern what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We can know that we are being conformed to this world if we lack peace. The cares of this world choke the Word. The cares of the world work against our mental health. But the renewed mind is the mind focused on His provision, peace, joy and His promises; that which is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.
It is hard to enjoy mental health if God’s will and purpose are a mystery to you. His will includes your health, physical, emotional and mental. His purpose includes long life and finishing your course. Get your mind on His purpose and let His ‘shalom’ flow into you. Philippians 4:8 is the key to mental health and peace.