Speaking on Mental Health

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

This weekend I was honored to deliver a brief message on mental health. The response completely blew me away. I have given a few hundred messages in different venues and styles, and this by far created the most honest discussion and feedback. The statistics of those who are not as healthy as they wish is astounding. But the numbers truly come alive when friends, family, and battered souls come to you to share their story. These stats have a pulse.

Honestly, I didn’t say that much. I didn’t provide answers and I didn’t try to be overly spiritual. I simply wanted to start a conversation. My goal was to simply say “we know” and “me too”. It can be funny how much planning and over-thinking you can do as a church staff and miss the most simple of needs. I fear sometimes that in our push to be bigger – to be “known” by those outside of our walls – that we miss the needs of those within. Once a sinner becomes a saint, the fight intensifies. The need for counsel, gratitude, and love all increase. Yes, Jesus left the 99 for the 1 but He was with the 99 daily, caring and meeting their needs. This parable was never meant to slight the majority, simply to illustrate the equalizing love of a God who has plenty grace to go around.

God’s Church should be the most open of institutions. We should be able to discuss life and all of its challenges without fear. If we cannot, something is gravely wrong. Christ was open to the hard topics of life. His response was always soaked in grace and truth. We are blessed with a community here that strives for openness and fosters a “me too” environment, but may we never become complacent in this. I urge you to have the courage to speak up and speak out on such topics, but to do so with grace, remembering who you represent.

If you struggle, you are not alone. We are all a perfect mess saved by a perfect master for a redemptive destiny. Know you are loved and wanted.