3 minute read
Mental Health & Biblical Resilience
by Michael Edgar Myers, Artistic Director
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” was Apostle Paul’s core instruction to leaders planting a multicultural first-century church in Rome. In this century, the advice is life-changing.
The phrase is bottom line counsel when talking with youngsters about life choices. It’s a core principle when speaking with church leaders seeking to recharge their ministries. It’s the foundational passage when employing Scripture application to mental health awareness.
Being aware of mental health applications in Scripture has become an intentional pursuit of Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries. If COVID was pandemic, its stress and anxiety side-effects among teens and adults are epidemic. Scripture should not only be read anew, but revisited afresh no matter how familiar.
The Bible & The Brain
The Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries credo, “The best script is Scripture,” perhaps has no stronger purpose than in May, dubbed Mental Health Awareness Month by the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI).
Our “May-Day” mission is to help Believer and Non-Believer grasp how Biblical insights complement any scientific, medical or therapy-engaged counsel. Some call it “neurotheology” — connecting spirituality and the brain.
The catalyst for this commitment is three-fold:
• PROFESSIONAL: how the theater and music work we have traditionally provided are integral in social and emotional healing;
• PASTORAL: how the stress of ministry obligations can negatively impact the health of pastors, families, and congregations;
• PERSONAL: how learning family history, paired with academic study, and specific Scriptures have eased burdens and stigma
Mental Health Bible Tales
We realize some struggle with an idea that mental health issues might provide “entertainment.” Yet, individuals slightly familiar with Scripture has a cursory knowledge of individuals who wrestled with perceived mental disorders. Such illustrations are mostly recalled for their dramatic storylines, especially Gospel witnesses of Jesus expelling demons from others.
Reading how King Saul asked the harp-playing shepherd David to soothe his savage beast, we’ re reassured that psalms, hymns, spiritual songs are not reserved for concerts or Sunday worship engagement. They’re heaven-sent instruments of healing each day.
Closer explorations of New and Original Testament writings reveal not only miraculous interventions, but practical guides as applicable in this millennium as in the millennia Before Christ. These “mental health” related Scripture anecdotes may find contemporary parallels and bring others to mind.
David the Shepherd plays music for King Saul: Backdrop for how music improves mood swings is written of in 1 Samuel.
Jesus Drives Evil Spirit from a Child: Gospel of Mark illustration of intercessory prayer (and fasting) especially for struggling children.
Mary Magdalene Stories: Gospel accounts in Luke and Mark highlight benefits of mentoring, friendships and a relationship with Christ.
Taking a Stroll Through Your Mind
Below are two daily podcasts of featuring dramatized interpretations of Scripture that we have found helpful in continual connection with The Word while taking walks, another recommended mental health improvement activity.
Electronic Contribution actintl.givingfuel.com/kitdonations
