The 'Art' of Stress Relief

Speaking of mental health struggles is difficult for most people, and even moreso in Christian families bloodk-in and church-kin.

There is ‘sin’ stigma attached to such conditions, similar to accusations made by Job’s friends, that illnesses stem from lack of faith or prayer.

To be sure, prayer IS a powerful element in the quest for recovering from stress. Such healing has been pointed out medically in ongoing studies by the Harvard School of Public Health and Biblically in close meditation of the Scriptures.

In particular, the Old Testament notes the impact of journaling, music and design as artistic stress reliefs.

The LORD’s instructions to build the original temple were placed in the hands of gifted artisans. Saul requested David play his harp to soothe evil spirits that oppressed him. In Psalms, David merges music and literature, writing emotional poetry with instructions for musicians to compose as the lyrics lead. Sample: “Ten Psalms for People Struggling with Anxiety and Fear.”

These actions can be employed today to provide pandemic relief:

1. Read or listen to a psalm each day and journal of its application to daily events. Substitute your name, churches names, or names of loved ones to make the writing more personal. Sample: Daily Audio Psalms which combines creative reading with music.

2. Draw or color pictures that come to mind as you read Scripture and make your own image posts.

3. Listen to instrumental or reflective psalms, hymns and spiritual songs before going to bed, starting the day, or doing tasks at the computer or around the house. Samples: DonMoenTV, Our Daily Bread Playlist.

ABOUT KINGDOM IMPACT THEATER MINISTRIES

Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries is an ensemble of theater missionaries who use performing arts to entertain, educate, equip and empower churches, schools, churches and community agencies to facilitate Safe Faith Conversations.

KIT Ministries is supported by tax-deductible donations as a department of Artists in Christian Testimony Intl, a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit organization since 1973. Please consider a one-time or on-going contribution to enable Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries to present the gospel without finances becoming a stumbling block.