INTRODUCTION: Who, What, Where, When, and Why (the 5 W’s) – are the essential questions of a journalist seeking to report a complete story.  These questions can also help to shape our own stories of personal strength, and potential triumph over depression and anxiety or other mental health challenges.

PROBLEMS

Some may be hesitant to ask for help, thinking things like “… If I were strong in my faith I wouldn’t have these problems. I should be able to stand on my own.” This error finds its source in misdirected guilt or shame. Be reminded once again there are no winners in the blame game – and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Others may hesitate to seek help as they wonder about potential conflicts between spiritual and psychological support.

We should question our doubts and fears. FIRST: We were never instructed to be Supermen or Wonder Women.  Our God (not our own muscle or will-power) is the strength of our lives. God’s word says that His strength is perfected (perfectly displayed) in our weakness.

SECOND: As we consider reaching for help with counsel (spiritual and/or psychological) we need not fear. These two types of counsel do not necessarily conflict. We can seek help from specialists who will honor our beliefs –while using therapeutic approaches familiar to the secular world as well – and we can thank God for both.

SOLUTIONS

Seeking help is a sign of strength — not weakness.  Check out these references:

“So we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness, Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another’.     Romans 12:5 – 10

“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way,you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“But to each one of us, grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:7

The Merriam Webster’s online dictionary definition of the word ‘ministry’ includes its use to identify ‘a person or thing through which something is accomplished’.

Each of us has been graced with gifts – and God intends for us to use them for the benefit of others. We are all called to be persons through which something is accomplished.

God also appointed specialists for some caretaking, comforting, equipping, and building-up of believers in the body of Christ (His church).

We have more than permission to seek, and to give, help and support – we actually have instruction to do so. Self-help strategies are powerful tools for personal, independent use. They are also effective supplements for counseling or therapy.

CONCLUSIONs

It has been said that the difference between a fortress and a prison is lock location. In a fortress, the locks are all on the inside.

In times of crisis – we may allow fear, doubt, or confusion to exchange the lock positions in the fortress of our minds. Seeking protection or presuming locks to be unbreakable – we may become prisoners.

One student told me, “…I think I’ve done that. I wonder how many doors were closed to me, because, I didn’t even try to open them.”

Counselors may include professional help, Pastors, or others. They cannot offer pardon or freedom, or healing – they can help others recognize and open some locks – passing through the doors of self-doubt, confusion, or fear… to enter the love, joy, peace, and freedom that God provides.

King David’s Psalms offer encouragement and comfort such as this:

“…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalms 30:5

Be encouraged, dear reader – we are getting closer to morning.

Blessings, Love, and Laughter,

Margaret

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