Shabbat Shalom (2 Corinthians 3:5)

 

Mental Health Monday

 You Can’t See the Forest for the Trees

We’ve often heard this proverbial phrase quoted when someone overlooks the bigger picture by focusing on a smaller detail. And, when that happens, they fail to see that which is very obvious. When the obvious is finally seen, it brings about a shocking revelation. This often happens when someone has dismissed or ignored an apparent message or an obvious cue. It happens AFTER the fact.  The one who has the revelation often asks the following questions:

• How could I not see that?
• Why did I ignore that?
• How could I have been so blindsided?
• Why didn’t I see that sooner?

This happens frequently in relationships.  Oftentimes, people choose to dismiss the messages and overlook the obvious. Why- you might ask? When people are in relationships (courtships, engagements, families, friendships, etc.), they are often in a vulnerable state. When people are in a vulnerable state, their view is often cloudy. In other words, people don’t clearly see what they would normally see. Vulnerable people let DOWN guards that would otherwise be UP. Vulnerable people leave OPEN entrances that would normally be CLOSED. Vulnerable people allow ACCESS that would normally be DENIED.

And, most of us have been in this place at one point in time or another. It is a very painful state of mind to be in.  It is characterized by despair, isolation and self-pity. If you are in this state or when you are in this state, there are several measures that can be implemented that may be helpful in getting out of despair and back into normalcy.

1. Realize that getting out of despair will likely take time.  It is NOT a quick fix!  You did not get there overnight.
2. A-N-A-L-Y-Z-E the situation.
3. Use your words carefully.  Be quick to listen and slow to speak! (James 1:19)
4. Now that you can finally see the forest for the trees, you decide what to do with the new found revelation.  How will you respond now that you know?

And, HE Walks With Me

 

Shabbat Shalom (Isaiah 59:19)

 

Easy Summer Meals #2

 

Mental Health Monday: Who do You THINK You Are?

 

For through the grace given me, I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think—but to use sound judgment, as God has assigned to each person a measure of faith.

Romans 12:3

Do you know who you are? Where do you stand? What is your position? From a spiritual standpoint, most believers can easily answer these three questions.  Some who believe in the christian faith might answer by saying - "In Christ, we are the righteousness of GOD" according to 2 Cor 5:21.  Others might answer by saying that "We are a chosen generation" according to 1 Peter 2:9.  H-O-W-E-V-E-R a christian believer chooses to answer would most likely positively position the believer in relationship to the Most High God through Christ Jesus.  And, that is good news - to know that we are positively positioned in relationship to HIM!

Answering those same questions from a natural standpoint can be a bit more difficult.  Why? Because so many times, we think that we are this when we are really that. Simply put, we often have an incorrect perception of ourselves as it relates to others. Have you ever thought that you were important to someone only to find out that person really didn’t think much of you? Have you ever believed that you were #1 in someone’s life only to realize that you really weren’t?  Coming to grips with such a realization can be very disheartening - even to the point of crushing the spirit.

Romans 12:3 warns us NOT to think too highly of ourselves.  Oftentimes in relationships, one person has high regards for another person who barely knows they exist.  And, sometimes a person places the wrong person on a pedestal that should be reserved for the right person.  Both cases can result in disappointment and frustration.

Let us reevaluate our relationships and rid ourselves of inflated perceptions that often result in broken spirits and soul hurt.  (Check out my post on Soul Hurt.)

In closing, consider the following as you identify who you are, where you stand and what your position is as it relates to the people in your life that you highly regard.

• Understand who you are. Most importantly, understand who you are not.

• Don’t be disillusioned by ignoring the obvious!

And remember, it is okay to seek professional help in order to put things in perspective.

Shalom

Shabbat Shalom (Exodus 33:17)

 

Easy Summer Meals

 

Sermon (A U-Turn in Nain)

(Luke 7:11-15)

 

Mental Health Monday : Effective Communication

 

Effective Communication involves hearing, understanding and responding.  

Some hear and understand not.

Others hear not and understand not.

BUT, there are others who hear clearly and understand well - but CHOOSE to ignore.

Know the difference!

Knowing the difference determines your response.  Before making a premature conclusion, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I being heard?

2. Am I being understood?

3. Am I being ignored?

In all thy getting, get understanding. 

(Proverbs 4:7)

Shabbat Shalom (Psalm 63:4)

 

Mental Health Monday: Soul Hurt

 In this post, the word soul is used to identify the part of your being that includes your mind, your will and your emotions.  It is that part of you that makes up your identity or your personality.  Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:23, man is a trichotomous being. (Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.)

First of all, soul hurt is defined as a non-physical ache/pain that is on-going.  The pain may be emotional, psychological, or spiritual and it may stem from any past traumatic event.

Soul hurt manifests in various ways.  (ANGER, anxiety, ANIMOSITY, bitterness, DEPRESSION, hostility, ISOLATION, resentment, OVERINDULGENCE, sickness, etc.) 

In addition, soul hurt manifests differently in different individuals.  No two individuals may respond to soul hurt the exact same way.

To understand soul hurt and to properly deal with soul hurt, consider the following.

1. Introspection (Get to the root of the problem.) - How did I get to this point?  Is this the result of something that I have not dealt with?  Am I ignoring THAT which needs attention?  Am I SUPPRESSING emotions that need to be EXPRESSED?

2. Correction (Fix it.) - Is this something that I can resolve?  Can I deal with this issue without causing harm and pain to someone else?  How can I deal with this without destroying me in the process?

In conclusion, many of us are waddling in soul hurt.  And, it could be manifesting in potentially unhealthy ways.  It is time now to develop healthy responses to the unhealthy manifestations of soul hurt.

Get a hold on it before it gets a hold on you!!!

Meditate on these scriptures.

1. 3 John 1:2 (Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.)
2. Psalm 34:17-18 (The righteous cry out and the Lord heals them; HE delivered them from all their troubles.  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.)

 

May the wounds of your soul begin to heal.  Because we have the mind of Christ according to 1 Cor. 2:16, give us the strength to not be conformed and affected by the patterns of this world. 🙏🏾🙏🏻🙏🏽 Amen.

Shabbat Shalom (Psalm 18:32)