Good mental health.

How are you feeling this week?
Lots of people are a bit despondent, saying ‘I’m sick of this!’ or ’How long is this going to go on for??’
We thought that this week we could be much freer, and see life begin to return to ‘normal’, but not so.
We decided we could endure it for a while for the common good, but for how long?
 
I turned to the psalm set for this week, Psalm 13, and felt it was written just for us, for this week. Yet David wrote it about three thousand years ago!
 
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?
So, it is OK to complain to God. To ask him the hard questions, to tell of our doubts and uncertainties.
David kept pouring out his heart to God, even when God seemed far away.
Look on me and answer, O Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death.
In spite of everything, he kept trusting. He turned his thoughts to God’s continuing support and provision, in the past as well as the present.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 
In spite of everything, he kept rejoicing in the salvation God had given him, and even sing God’s praise.
I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.
 
We can see that David was a man of good mental health!  He was realistic, honest, open. He looked at the bigger picture, at past and present blessings, as well as the difficulties. He turned to the wideness of God’s mercy and rejoiced in that, lifting his heart to the wonders of God’s love, whatever the circumstances.
It is an example we can follow. We can complain to God and pour out our hearts to God even when he seems far away. We can keep trusting, keep rejoicing, and keep worshipping. All these things are good for us, and bless others, as well as ourselves.
 
Lynne Clarke,
Locum minister, Holy Trinity Lara with Christ Church Little River.