MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS (1)

“And the PEACE of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and MINDS through Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:7

Next to Spiritual Wellness, God’s Will for His children is MENTAL and EMOTIONAL WELLNESS: “And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and MINDS through Christ Jesus” (Phi.4:7). The word ‘Mental’ means “relating to the mind”; while “Emotional” means “relating to the emotions or feelings.” Mental Health is defined as: “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to the community.” Emotional Wellness has also been defined as “the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.” Both comprise all aspects of health that relate to the state of the human Mind and Feelings.

Mental Health and Emotional Wellness influence how we think, feel, behave, interact, and relate in daily life: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” (Pro.23:7a). They also affect how we cope with and handle life’s challenges and trials. Cultivating mental and emotional wellness is crucial to finding fulfilment and enjoying happiness and sustained success. Trials and troubles will come, but those who are mentally and emotionally healthy are able to deal with such challenges, including: relationships, responsibilities, work, stress, upsetting events, and unanticipated situations. Strategies to enhance Mental and Emotional Wellness include:

Prayer, Meditation and the Practice of Mindfulness: These imply, cultivating the mental state achieved by focusing our awareness on the present moment, instead of mentally rehashing the past or anxiously imagining the future. Whether we meditate on God’s Word or worry about circumstances and the problems that life throws at us, will make a whole lot of difference. Colossians 4:2 says: “Continue earnestly in PRAYER, being VIGILANT in it with thanksgiving.” 1 Peter 1:13 instructs: “Therefore gird up the loins of your MIND, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you...” Like the Psalmist, we must be focused and intentional in the practice of meditation: “I will also MEDITATE on all Your work, and TALK of Your deeds” (Psa.77:12).

The Practice of Positivity: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – MEDITATE on these things” (Phi.4:8). This list represents the Believer’s Meditation and Thinking Syllabus. We can choose our thoughts: “Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes” (Psa.119:23).

Relaxation and Rest: “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and REST a while” (Mk.6:31). Jesus invited his disciples to a session of Rest. The Psalmist also said: “Return to your REST, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you” (Psa.116:7).

Relational Support from family, friends, community, and professionals: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother I born for adversity” (Pro.17:17). Loving family and faithful friends are great assets for mental and emotional wellness. Marriage and close relationships are all about building each other up and supporting each other, no matter what: “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1The.5:11). Counsel from anointed ministers and experienced professionals could be valuable: “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days” (Pro.19:20).

Personal Healthy Habits – regular exercise, balanced diet, eating well and getting adequate sleep. How we treat the body will affect the Mind positively or negatively. We should therefore be intentional in how we treat and care for our bodies (1Cor.6: 19-20).

Expressing feelings and emotions effectively, rather than bottling-up them up: “But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (v.6b). Emotions are tricky, ever-changing, and require balancing to prevent a roller-coaster kind of life. Some folks wear their emotions on their sleeves, while others hide them at all cost. The healthy attitude is to recognize our emotions for what they are and surrendering them to the perfect will of God.