Christians cannot shove mental illness under the carpet
Our pulpits, our books, our programs and events simply cannot ignore the fact that God has forgotten about mental illness.
Mental illness exists and there are many Christians sitting in pews that are suffering in silence. I can say that nearly 9 out of 10 times, whenever Chuck or I have shared our story in a church gathering, someone always comes up afterwards, even if not immediately, but they do come. And say, ‘Your story touched me. In fact, my son, daughter, or whoever has such and such’ where ‘such and such’ is a mental illness!
9 times out of 10!
There is nothing written on their forehead to indicate that they are experiencing such challenges, yet they are sitting there.
Thank God where I worship, we have the opportunity to speak out and let others know that this thing called Mental Illness is real and perhaps undercover in our congregation.
If we can openly address other needs and challenges, then we need to take on difficult subjects such as abuse, mental illness and such like right at the pews of our churches. We need to offer hope to people that come through the church front door. We can’t shove mental illness under the carpet and pretend this is not something that happens in our circles.
We need to be non judgmental and open…
If a well dressed lady came up to you and said that her son died by suicide the year before, how would you react? Would you briefly lose composure? Would you think that she was not Christian enough? That her family was demon possessed?
Would anyone know what to do if someone in the congregation suddenly got up and started behaving in a deranged manner unexpectedly? Or turned up in church looking dishevelled? Would they be thrust out and expected not to return till the fixed up?
Do you inadvertently make jokes like ‘bolt missing’, ‘must be bipolar’, or ‘OCD’, without realizing you may be causing offence? Or in your mind, do you think that people should not be too touchy? Are you aware that such jokes could be the challenge that weary first time visitor has been crying about all night, but has just been belittled by a joke?
If a congregant ended up in a mental hospital, would he or she be visited by anyone? Would the congregant be put in the ‘lack of faith’ category? Would the congregant’s family be supported? Or would a lack of knowledge of the disease and outcome, prevent people from reaching out?
If another congregant was taking medication, would they be told to stop taking the medication because they are expected to use prayer and faith. However, if someone was ‘having’ a heart attack, would the same people call an ambulance?
If a young lady wanted to marry a man challenged with mental illness or vice versa, what would be the counsel? Would such a union be discouraged?
There are no cut and dry, one size fits all to some of these questions above. Not every person challenged with mental illness will get married but there are many who will. Some can be prayed for and recover, while for others it is a gradual recovery. However, to blatantly sweep the whole mental illness under the carpet may be heartbreaking for those who come to seek answers when the world has none to offer.
The church should be a place of hope and not a place where we cast stones. We need to examine ourselves carefully on the issue of mental illness and gain knowledge. After all the Bible itself says, my people perish for lack of knowledge. Gain knowledge, know what bipolar is, not a mood swing or any such.
Because someone in your congregation most definitely has a family member challenged with mental illness.
You better believe it!
This Sunday, will you show love to someone whom you know is challenged with mental illness in your congregation? Please share the love by sharing this post
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