God’s Plan for Mental Health

2024 We Will Thrive

Philippians 4:8 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

There is enough bad news going around to make anyone depressed.  Our state of mind is determined by what we focus on.  We cannot immerse ourselves in negative things and expect to not be affected by it. Fear is an emotion that causes mental stress.  The above scripture shares what our mind set should be.  It does not mean that we are not aware that negative things are happening, it means that is not what we focus on.

Whatsoever things are true…The truth is God is still in control and He is well able to make all things work together for our good.  There is a well-known prayer called “The serenity prayer”, it goes…God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.  We sometimes spend wasted time lamenting what we should have done in the past.  If it is possible to fix it in the present do so, if not, let it go.  When faced with today’s challenges pray about it and let the Holy Spirit guide you as to how to respond.  Once you pray for guidance, it is God’s responsibility to make His will known to you. Sometimes He will do this by shutting the wrong doors and opening the right one.

If we count our blessings and are thankful every day, it will lift our spirits.  Try to find the humor in things. The bible tells us that a merry heart is like medicine (Proverbs 17:22) Whether we laugh or cry when something happens, does not change the fact that it happened. It will change its impact on you.

Do not be overly critical of yourself.  We may not look like fashion models, but we can be the best we can be. What we are on the inside is more important than what we look like on the outside.  There are many beautiful people who are not going to make it into heaven. On that day, they would give anything to be able to trade places with you.

Sometimes we do not appreciate what we have until we lose it.  I may not say…Thank you Lord for electricity.  I may not realize its value until there is a power outage.  Just living in the US is something to be thankful for.  We have so many opportunities, and a government that has provided a safety net against poverty.  This does not exist in many other countries. 

In summation: Cast your cares on the Lord; pray without ceasing; be thankful; focus on positive things; know that there is no problem too big for God to fix; Expect miracles and supernatural occurrences to be a part of your life.