Hope

Life is a battle with or without afflicted by mental illness. I live in a fallen world marred by my sins and sins of others. Suffering is a reminder of what Jesus endured for us to mend our relationship with God. The Bible instructions us to rejoice always, during suffering or blessings. That is not so simple for those afflicted. Satan loves to take advantage of the mentally afflicted. 

 I can easily succumb to his lies. I am not worthy of grace. Our sin is too big to forgive. I don’t even know if God is around us. I will always feel this way. I will never amount to anything. I am unlovable. These lies fill my head, but I need to focus on God’s truth in His word. “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5

 His word reveals a greater hope then anything of our world offers. Hope is in His grace through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The mentally afflicted need to put these truths in our heart and mind. When Satan attacks, His word will be the armor that protects me. Fellowship and support from my church family community helps strengthens this hope. Daily communion with God through His word and praying re-enforces this hope. 

 As I suffered, I need to hold on to His hope. I foolishly and selfishly believe that no one else suffers like me. But Christ suffered like no other human has. He took on this suffering for all so we all can receive His Father’s grace and hope. In my suffering, I can encourage each other. My suffering maybe be hope for others. Others may see the supernatural hope in God’s amazing grace. 

 Suffering leads to joylessness, but I will never lose hope. I will never lose His grace. No one, not even Satan can break out bond with our Father and His Son. My mental illness can’t break this. Suffering can’t break this. Sin can’t break this. This hope is everlasting and never ending. 

 Jesus gives us peace in our suffering through this hope. Every sunrise and sunset are His blessing in this hope. Daily life is a battle, and He will be our protector in hope, because He has already defeated our enemy, Satan, by suffering on the cross. Martin Luther wrote, “Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.” Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection is God’s supernatural hope. 

What can I do to feel this hope?
1.    Read/Listen to the Bible, daily.
2.    Find a church community to belong in.
3.    Turn your life over to Jesus, because He paid our ramson.
4.    Find someone to disciple you.
5.    Pray A lot.

What can I do to show someone afflicted with mental illness this hope?
1.     Pray about the situation and for the person.
2.     Reach out to them.
3.     Listen to them.
4.     Show them the way to His hope.
5.     Invite them to church.
6.     Fellowship with them.
7.     Help them find professional medical help if they need it.
8.     Build a relationship with them.

What not to do?
1.     Don’t overwhelm them.
2.     Don’t advise them to pray it away.
3.     Don’t blame their affliction as sin.