Christians from faith-based associations were among the first to answer the communities’ needs towards the start of the pandemic helping with practical needs that really went a far way. Churches and charities zeroed in on individuals’ physical and spiritual needs, through services such as food drives, virtual worship services, and help with bills or rent.
However, Christians believe they can be much more impactful and do more by acting as the hands and feet of God and helping people in another area in dire need – mental health.
It seems like everything began once the pandemic happened. Crime shot up, all hell broke loose, and things just went chaotic – and we’re still seeing and feeling things get dimmer today. However, the good news is that the darker this earth gets, the brighter God’s light shines. Starting from the pandemic, individuals have begun developing mental health issues, and those who were already dealing with the issues only saw their mental health get even worse.
These mental health problems could see people dealing with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and more. The issue seems more prevalent in today’s teenagers and young adults, but Christians have been taking a Godly approach to these cases by blending God’s Word with science. Local scientists make sure that the Christian-based way to deal with the treatment isn’t forced upon anyone and is only accessible upon the client’s requests.
Minister Steeve Wood at St. Andrew’s Anglican in Mount Pleasant said ministers should comprehend their constraints with regards to really focusing on mental well-being.
“As a pastor, I can do some counseling. But I was trained in Bible and theology, not counseling…I think good therapy combined with good pastoral care can provide a lot of opportunity for healing,” Wood said.
At Mount Pleasant-based Life Resources, the specialists, social workers, and authorized proficient inspectors to her “the best of science” with the Gospel, said executive Director Jacquie Atkins. This includes tailoring to every individual on case-by-case basis and not as a generic blanket prayer, Atkins said.
As mental health issues rise, Charleston area faith-based counseling services meet need https://t.co/VPdm5WDXRP
— Metal-Health.news (@MetalHealthnew1) July 9, 2022
She added that they don’t believe in blind prayer or prayer without faith. They don’t believe that you can say a generic prayer and believe your anxiety will go away like magic, and that’s true. The Bible says you need to be specific when praying. One example can be found in Philippians 4:6-8 which says:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
In other words, it says to bring your heart’s desires and needs to God boldly and let his shalom peace cover you. Don’t focus on the bad things around you, instead find the good things in life and focus on those things.
Another strain on mental health has been between couples who often argue or fight too much.
Couples’ advisor Diane Arnold with Charleston Christian Counselors said she’s seen an increase in Christian couples looking for help in repairing combating relationships. Arnold, who has composed two books on keeping up with healthy relationships, said numerous clients addressed how their relationships suffered as a result of the pandemic.
However, on the flip side of the coin, she’s seen relationships turn for the better – leading to healthy, and non-harmful results. She additionally encourages couples to connect in prayer and by listening to sermons. She added that couples who pray together tend to have a higher likelihood of staying together.
“It is very intimate to sit down and be vulnerable…to open my spirit to your spirit,” she said. “Isn’t that truly what covenant is supposed to look like?”
People all over the world are going through something. Whether it be big or small, it’s nice to know that you can count on God’s light to spread through His people and impact individuals enough to bring them out of their darkness, and into His light.
This story syndicated with permission from My Faith News