The End of Summer / The Start of Self-Care

*This post originally was published 8/28/18

The end of summer signifies the start of chaos for many. No matter how far removed we are from the school schedule, we still seem to work under its direction. The summer is for play. Autumn marks the end of all this and the return of business as usual. As the weather starts to change, the air begins to restrict as darkness sets in earlier and heads hang lower. It is no mystery why our souls turn rugged, callous, and many times break during these seasons.

Mental health is crucial for us to understand in weathering these seasons. It is much easier to take preventative measures in the summer, than it is to do while in the darkness of winter. Before our souls become heavy, or at least before they have to battle against both their humanity and the blistering weather, it is good to take stock in where we are mentally.

Where are the areas of concern?

How do we notice red flags before they disable us?

As a person who tries imperfectly to follow Jesus, I find these to be spiritual matters. It is not simply “trust God more” or “pray instead of worry” but something more relational. The broken saint sees Christ in the fight for mental health. He is in the anxiety, the depression, and the dark night of the soul. While sometimes we don’t gain delivery from circumstances, we gain Christ in the tears and strain, and this is a most valuable relationship. The life of Jesus shares much on the topic of mental health. We see a man who regularly battled with stress and frustration. He routinely went out alone to think, pray, and heal. His inner circle of 12 friends were His disciples, but were also His life support. His life teaches us that if we are to love Him with our entirety of being, we must be willing to allow His healing in even the darkest and most neglected of corners.

Today, what do you have to do for yourself? Schedule a day off? Hide your cell phone? Book a trip? Go out to dinner with a friend?