MENTAL HEALTH – Surviving A Crisis Through The Mind Of Christ

SURVIVING A CRISIS THROUGH THE MIND OF CHRIST

The Lord will do nothing without revealing the future to his servants and giving them tools to deal with the future including the mental muscles to manage the crisis coming. • Amos 3:7• Mathew 24:• John 14:1-3 “When the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly.” --Richard Bach We see this in physical terms when we observe the processes of nature: From the cycle of the seasons, to natural “disasters”,to the evaporation of water. And yes, from the transformation of the caterpillar into the butterfly. We see it in our own bodies too as our cells willingly die to be replaced with new ones: we can scratch our heads and watch dead skin cells fall to the ground and though we can’t see it, the cells within us die off too so that our organs are continuously regenerated. Daksha. A. Watts How is it with your heart, your mind? Are you holding up or you are at nerves end feeling like you are about to break to pieces? Oh, that God may help every one of us to be among the survivors. We can be if we learn the way of peace.

The Capital of the Body

Every organ of the body was made to be servant to the mind. The mind is the capital of the body. The mind controls the whole man. All our actions, good or bad, have their source in the mind. It is the mind that worships God and allies us to heavenly beings. Yet many spend all their lives without becoming intelligent regarding the casket jewel case that contains this treasure. (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 426.)

Written by Hazel Nyere

The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. A number of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontentment, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death.

(Suffering, Endurance) and (Overcoming, Rejoicing)

Mathew 24:12-13 “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luke 21:26-27 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. During such times what you become during and after a crisis is because of your mindset, to praise

God and be happy for the rain and clouds for no season lasts forever. This was observed by the Cleveland Parade Clinic Coming out of Covid 19 lockdown, 55% of adults are experiencing mental health issues since the pandemic started, 68% of adults are paying more attention to risk factors for health issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 62% of Americans have adopted some type of healthy lifestyle change since the pandemic. Only 18% felt more isolated from their family,75% of adults say quarantine made them value their relationships and they feel closer to their family, more than half 52% of adults with kids say they feel closer to their family. Parade Cleveland Clinic Survey – Embracing Healthy Lifestyle Changes during COVID.

Developing the right Mindset

Live to the Best of your ability, recognise all changes, the Covid 19 Crisis is an opportunity for a new you, reconsider your priorities and estimate the things that really matter at their truest value and leave behind what has not worked so far. It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” – Whitney M Young The caterpillar struggles to break open the cocoon and that strengthens its wings for flight and endurance in life, without this struggle the caterpillar may die a death of a caterpillar but accepting the challenge makes it live a life of a butterfly. “Trials and challenges are there to make us stronger than being comfortable in our dark cocoon, do we want to be comfortable or become better? Now we may go into a cellar and stay there and look around into its dark corners, and we can talk of the darkness and say, “Oh, it is so dark here,” and keep talking about it. But will it make it any lighter? Oh no! What are you going to do? Come out of it; come out of the dark into the upper chamber where the light of God’s countenance shines brightly.” We are often disappointed by our own unsanctified thoughts leading to expectations, but true Hope does not disappoint, Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:5-8

There are 3 types Of thinking:

1.Reactive thinking

Responds to circumstances in a passive way. Emotional, rather than logical thinking. De-emphasizes the will (“They won’t listen,” “He makes me mad,” “There’s nothing I can do about it”). Does not make choices based upon previous determined values.

2. Proactive thinking

Responds to circumstances in an active manner, Values the will and seeks options or alternative ways. Proactive thinking makes decisions based upon previously chosen values and accepts responsibility.

3. Faith-active thinking

This is proactive thinking combined with a Godly faith that is active in struggling with issues in a godly manner. Values are based upon the Word of God and options are within God’s principles, faith active thinking looks for ways in which challenges can become opportunities with the perspective that God can turn the curse into a blessing.

The medical establishment has been proving that the mind can heal the body for over 50 years. It is called “the placebo effect”. While lifestyle choices, heredity and environment all have an important influence on our health, what we think (our thoughts) eclipses them all. “Through our thoughts we can be our own microsurgeons as we make choices that will change the circuits in our brains. We are designed to do our own “brain surgery” and rewire our brains by thinking and by choosing to renew our minds.” Dr Caroline Leaf. Who we become; is a matter of the choices we make. We are not slaves to our circumstances, not even to our genes...we are to be masters of our own character and destiny if we learn to depend on God and control ourselves.

Believe What God Thinks Towards You

Moses did not merely think of God, he saw Him. God was the constant vision before him. Never did he lose sight of His face. Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil.”

The chief requisite of language is that it be pure, kind, and true—”the outward expression of an inward grace.” The Bible states in Philippians 4:8.”Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever

things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. “A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22.

Think Positively

The brain regulates and influences many physiological functions, including immunity. Mental and physical well-being are inextricably intertwined. Major depression, for example, reduces NK (natural killer) cells’ effectiveness. A persistent negative outlook erodes both the ability of the NK cells and killer lymphocytes to destroy viruses and cancer cells. Stress reduces the ability of NK cells to make interferon, a chemical that decreases viral replication. However, problem-solving techniques and coping skills improve NK activity in stressed persons. Confidence, openness, social support, effective coping skills, self-discipline, trust, faith, and a will to survive improve NK cells’ efficiency. Bergler, R. Psychogenic stimulation of immune system by nutrition. Zentrabl Hyg Unweltmed, 191(2-3):241-64, 1991

Confession sets free

James 5:19 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” To experience vibrant health, maintain or recover from sickness, confession of faults one to another, either from the wrong doer or the wronged, does well. It helps to offload negative thoughts. Confess your faults one to another, negative emotions reduce the ability of white blood cells to make interferon, a chemical that decreases viral replication. psychoneuroendocrinology24(6):13-27, 1979 Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. “A merry rejoicing heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22. MH 241.3