“News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them.” (Matthew 4:24)

When Jesus walked on the earth a primary reason for His fame was that there was no disease or sickness He could not heal. Although the common disorders identified by medical science today are perhaps not mentioned in the Bible, we can be sure that Jesus is certainly greater than any disease that medical science can identify.

Throughout His life and mission Jesus exuded empathy, acceptance, and inclusion. When people who were marginalized in society came to Him, He reminded his disciples to be kind and welcoming of them (Matthew 19:14; John 12:7-8). These days as concerns about mental health are on the rise we as the church have a duty to support and include individuals who struggle.

As Christians we have a message of hope to offer a broken world. To those suffering from mental illness, anxiety or depression we can offer hope because we know the Divine healer. We can approach God knowing that His unconditional love and care will see us through even life’s darkest times. When we look to Him in faith, He will help us overcome life’s challenges, and His promises remind us that we are never alone in these struggles.

| Day 1: Contradicting Cultures

Most of us are familiar with various social media platforms, but one social media app allows complete strangers to rate your personal profile. A colleague told me how friends of his were heartbroken by the hurt their younger daughter experienced through receiving a bad rating.

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| Day 2: Time To Rest

When an international scholar visited a Bible college, he was surprised to see an American colleague gardening on Sunday. For him, that activity wasn’t appropriate for the day of rest he observed on Sunday, whereas his colleague found the experience of planting, sowing and digging to be restful, providing enjoyment and a bit of mental relief.

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| Day 3: Mercy On Our Minds

Years ago, a family member who suffers from bipolar disorder had an extreme psychotic break. The manic episode led to job loss, jail time and homelessness. For two months I was on the phone with social workers, law enforcement officers, friends and family members, trying to figure out how to help him. I even contacted my family member’s…

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| Day 4: Like Yourself

Geel is a charming town in Belgium with a unique population—a significant percentage of the people there have a diagnosis of mental illness. Host families to these persons are given no details of their guests’ diagnoses. Instead, they welcome their guests into the community like anyone else. “I have seen coffee served in a cafe with as much…

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| Day 5: Well, That’s Just Perfect!

The seminar speaker emphasised a positive mental approach to everything. And I’m okay with that, for the most part. She elaborated on how we might stay positive in the face of annoyances. Suppose someone rudely swoops into that prime parking spot just ahead of us. Simply stop and say, “Well, that’s just perfect! Now I can get more exercise by…

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| Day 6: New Address?

Move to a new home, or stay at the old address? This question filled my mind for several days as my husband and I discussed the possibilities. A handful of problems were obvious when we toured a prospective home. For instance, a pipe in the basement jutted up from the floor into the middle of a room. And there was an odd odour in the cellar.

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| Day 7: Learning Trust

As a child, I worried about making friends at school. As a college student, I worried about getting work after graduation. Today, I worry about the health of my parents and if my books will sell.What do you worry about? Take a moment and make a mental list. Some of your worries may be similar to mine.

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