Our “This Sunday” series will be another a Corona Virus edition. For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Reach out to someone struggling with mental health.
The pandemic has impacted people worldwide not just in terms of physical health with the virus but also mental health. According to the Center for Disease Control “Overall, 40.9% of respondents reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, including symptoms of anxiety disorder or depressive disorder (30.9%), symptoms of a trauma- and stressor-related disorder (TSRD) related to the pandemic† (26.3%), and having started or increased substance use to cope with stress or emotions related to COVID-19 (13.3%).” Of the demographics youth is a concern: “The toll was particularly striking among adults ages 18 to 24. In this group, about 63% reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, 25% reported starting or increasing use of substances, and 25% reported seriously considering suicide in the past 30 days.” This isn’t just in the United States; over at United Kingdom we read on the news that “Depression in British adults may have doubled during coronavirus pandemic.” I can imagine in many other country there’s similar problems.
With all this Ephesians 4:32 tells us “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” If we love others and are kind to others we should reach out to them.
So part of that means we should as a church ask of each other how they are doing. Reach out to someone struggling with mental health.
Reach out to your youths. Ask them how are they doing. Find out what they miss the most during this virus situation. Let them know you care for them.
Reach out to your the elderly. They might not be at church because of risks; they might not be online streaming because they can’t handle technology well. Call them. Say “How are you?” and let them talk to you for a couple of minutes before your next question.
For my own church these statistics really made some members concern about their kids. But I’m happy to report as their pastor that we have been shepherding their kids during this time. Every Youth online Bible study we begin with the questions about how are they. I have someone else host the meeting so we two adults also share from our life (its good that I’m not just the same guy talking all the time!). We pray for prayer requests before the teaching and discussion. That’s on the weekday; how much more we should reach out to people on the Lord’s Day!
Or maybe you feel led to also go beyond asking someone how they are doing and also offer something biblical that’s appropriate for the moment. Or the other person is willing to also hear God’s Word about dealing with their stress and anxiety at this time. Do you need biblical resources? Check out our biblical counseling outline: Spiritual Distancing from Anxiety.
[…] The Church during the days of Corona Virus: Reach out to someone struggling with mental health — T… […]
Thank you for this call to action, Jim! I appreciate that you encourage us to communicate with those in need in these testing times. It reminded me of Matthew 25:35-40.
Matthew 25:35-40 is a great passage. I’m curious do you read the Bible more in Tagalog or English?
Nice question, Jim! 6 grades in Elementary, 4 years in Highschool, and a Semester in college studying Filipino, still it is hard for me to read the Bible in Tagalog/Filipino and I don’t have one either. Our national hero would hate me for that but reading verses on Tagalog, I might get a different understanding on GOD and faith. Maybe it is a “colonial mentality” but it is easy to read in English. A blessed Sunday!
Reblogged this on a simple man of God.
Thanks for the information regarding mental health during these challenging times and the encouragement to reach out to others! I had already adjusted to being mainly “at home” when the pandemic hit, but it’s been a steep slope for many.
You’re welcome! I think sometimes God allows us to be adjusted so we be in a position to minister to others around us. It is a deep slope for many as you stated so well to capture the problem. Any paintings for you today?
RE: today
Worked on my sister’s TV, grocery shopped, and then scraped a big window full of latticework for two hours. How is your Lord’s Day going?
Thanks for encouraging us to pay attention to what is going on with our kids.
Blessings.
It’s so vitally important that in this current situation we all face globally that we reach out to others specially in the household of God,
It’s excellent that your church is reaching out to those who needed the most.
I think at this time with technology we can potentially minister to more. I was wondering this week if every believer would wake up and intentionally minister to at least one person a day how would the world be more different…whether with words or deeds. Crissy I’m encouraged by your example to evangelize at this time. I praise the Lord for that sister, and whenever any of you evangelizing are discouraged I hope this might be some encouragement…
Thank you pastor Jim .
A young woman in our church her name is Irene, lost her mum last week. The mum wasn’t well and the hospitals in the area wouldn’t admit her because two of her grown children were diagnosed with Covid so they let her die. This happened in the Philippines. How horrible ! The comfort is that Irene”s mum knew the Lord . Yesterday in Church we couldn’t even hug all I could do was cry with her from a distance .
So thank you for these posts that you share about encouraging and seeking one another. God bless you and give you times of peace and refreshing as you minister to others. Also your wife and your girls
Wise counsel!
Thanks! Have a blessed service today, I’m praying for it to go well and be a blessing!
How was your sermon? Nathan and I are conflicted, we go to a nondenominational church and it’s been way to Jesus and me topical focus than Jesus and the Bible. I’m ok with topical but this is becoming pop psychology. People need to know more of who Jesus is and less focus on our current circumstances. Nathan and I are talking about trying a different church. With COVID now, we are really praying for wisdom and discernment.
[…] Reach out to someone struggling with mental health […]
Good to hear Shepherd training has gone well your way Jim. So many churches are terribly disoriented among the leadership and the people these days.
[…] The Church during the days of Corona Virus: Reach out to someone struggling with mental health — T…. […]
Wise counsel! Thanks!
Yes! We are all fragile, and we all need support. I see some of the brokenness in me and a lot of it in people around me. J.
Thank you for the reminder. I used to write more letters. I have had so much more time on my hands than ever so there is no excuse. It’s easy to find people who may need to know someone is thinking of them. God places them on your mind.
I think people are hesitant to try to help in the area of mental health, because they aren’t “professionals.” But I don’t see how the kindness you suggest could hurt, might very well help. We all benefit form knowing people care.
Amen, we just want to show unelievers that the way of life (not onla) inmidst corona pandemie is a small, narrow and exclusive (single) way, but it leads to true, save and eternal life. That has to be our focus without the need of “professional” help. Every believer is called to do that – and equipped to do that (2Tim 3:17).
Let’s take the chance and do it.
https://jesaja662.wordpress.com/2020/06/12/the-narrow-way-to-life-der-schmale-weg-zum-leben/
Good point. I never thought of IITimothy 3:17 that way. We shouldn’t be intimidated by the world’s definition of “qualified.”
(“God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” 😉 )
Pastor Jim, thanks for tackling the need for each of us to reach out to others with genuine love and kind words. I am especially trying to stay in touch and check in with my parents who live in Montana.
Wow are they out and about as normal or taking precautions? I hear the risks is low in Montana?
In general, the rural landscape of Montana has helped to mitigate spread of the virus, but there have been hot spots. My stepfather has a poor heart so he and my mother take extra precautions. My youngest daughter is facing new challenges in her teaching because of procedures to follow at school to keep staff and students as safe and healthy as possible.
😢
Thank you.
You’re welcome have a blessed Monday! Appreciated your likes on FB!
Good evening. Waiting for Laura. Hope fires have not harmed you and yours.:(
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