In these weeks following Easter, we are learning alongside our church school students how the good news of Jesus’ resurrection begins to spread. As more and more see the risen Messiah, their doubt changes to belief and they share the story of Resurrection. Through the faithful service of disciples, those who are least likely, come to follow in the hope of Jesus’ ministry and teachings.
Regardless of whether or not we’ve ever been diagnosed with a mental illness, I feel fairly confident making the claim that we all have experienced ups and downs in our mental health, just as we have with our physical health across our lifetimes. Paul was no different, leaving quite a record of his own experiences in the letters that he wrote to early Christians across the region. He describes experiencing what we might call a “dark night of the soul” while in prison, reflecting to the Christians in Corinth that he was “so utterly, unbearably crushed that [he] despaired of life itself.” These chapters in life can feel isolating and paralyzing, and the path through isn’t always clearly lit.
We know that Paul survived this journey into the valley of the shadow of death; his writings offer some insight as to how. He talks about the determined, tender care provided by his friend Onesiphorus, who Paul says “often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me” (2 Tim 1:16-17), and he expresses his determination to hold onto his sense of purpose, focusing on the larger mission to which he has devoted his life: “What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way… in that I rejoice” (Phil 1:18).
When we encounter our loved ones enduring a dark night (week, month, year…) of the soul, we sometimes feel at a loss for how to help. What if we make it worse? What would a non-therapist, non-psychiatrist even have to offer? When we find ourselves in these chapters of despair, it can be hard to imagine things ever being ok again.
And yet…in his letter to the Christians in Philippi, also written from prison, Paul reflects, “I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy.”
For Mental Health Sunday, we’ll journey through Paul’s writings to explore how we can indeed offer meaningful mental health support to one another (and ourselves!). Join me at 11 am in the Sanctuary and on YouTube to sing, pray, learn, and grow in Christ’s love together. I always look forward to seeing you there.
In faith,
Amy
image credit: Painting by Caitlin Connolly
