In regard to my mental health, earlier this year was definitely a challenging yet humbling experience which I believe God is using as part of my growth, development and understanding of who he is and what he can and will do. I tried to resist, deny and ignore it because of shame, confusion and pride, but I clearly remember surrendering all (lack of) control I was trying to hold onto.
I cannot say that I am completely back to “normal”, whatever that means, but I can certainly testify that God is a good father who is compassionate, faithful and sovereign.
If I were to go into great depths into my experience, learning, growth and journey, this post would become a book. However, I thought to share with you, how the story of ‘Jesus Calms the Storm’ (Mark 4:35-41) helped to change the perspective of how I now perceive God whilst in the midst of the storm. It’s not always easy but there is a reassurance that he is certainly there. Whilst I meditated on this when I was at a ‘better’ place, this short yet powerful story continues to comfort me for future storms.
Earlier in this book, Jesus had called out his first four disciples: Simon, Andrew, James and John (Mark 1:16-20) and later appointed the twelve (Mark 3:16-19). They followed him without hesitation yet without knowing what laid ahead for them. Their willingness denoted that they were ready. Throughout their journey with Jesus, they witnessed him perform several miracles; drive out spirits and heal many people: they saw it all! At different points, crowds gathered Jesus and he taught them many things about the word in parables but explained everything to his disciples when he was alone with them (Mark 4:34). They had 1:1/small group tuition with Jesus himself to develop their insight into the Kingdom of God, that is special! Yet, they still feared. Despite having spent time with Jesus, they witnessed these supernatural demonstrations and heard him speak, they still had no faith….
That is us. We accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour without completely knowing what lies ahead, we may not actually be completely ready but as God enlightens our understanding and spiritual maturity, we grow to become sensitive to the Holy Spirit who is within us and we develop a faith in Jesus, as we see, hear and learn of his power, presence and promise-keeping character. We see how he was, is and always will be by our side.
Lesson 1 – Jesus is With Us
“…Let us go over to the other side” (Mark 4:35 NIV)
Jesus called them and had been with them, as he is with us. Together, they approached the lake to go across to the region of the Gerasenes. Not at one point did Jesus abandon them and tell them to figure out how they would get there and that he would meet them on the other side. He remained with them and made the journey with them.
When Jesus called us, he did not say that this journey would be one to make alone. Neither did he say that we would have to figure it out on our own, instead, he promises to remain by our side and to walk it through with us, if we agree to let him in after hearing his voice (Revelations 3:20). It may not be that he will take us out of the storm when or how we ask him to, but he certainly remains by our side through it all and forever, and as our intercessor, he is always praying for us (Hebrews 7:25). The beautiful thing is that, God does not allow us to bear more weight than what we can manage; the battle is his and we are already victorious when we go through it. At the end of it, we see God for who he is.
Lesson 2 – The Waves Will Not Sweep Over Us
“…and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped” (Mark 4:37 NIV)
God does not promise that we will not face tribulations or difficulties in this world, he does, however, promise us peace (John 16:33). This highlights that walking, or in this case, (boat) riding with Jesus, does not mean that we are exempt from storms; we’re not going to navigate through this world without experiencing difficulties, and God knows that. However, he promises us that he will be with us when it happens, and we will not be swept over by the rivers or be burned when walking through the fire (Isaiah 43:2). In this story, it was no different, they were not going to get swept by the crashing waves, if anything, they should have remained at peace like Jesus who was…
Lesson 3 – Sleeping! Jesus was sleeping!
“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion…” (Mark 4:38 NIV)
Jesus was at complete peace because he knew that God was in complete control. He was comfortable because he trusted that God knew the outcome of the journey and that they would get to the other side, as planned. Jesus knew that the storm was not going to harm them, He knew that the author and creator of the very waves had the authority and power over it.
Sometimes we just need to sleep: we need to stop fixating our gaze on the waves, leave it in God’s hands and control, and sleep (stop worrying, let go and let God)! The stern of a boat is the back of the boat which keeps the water out: how awesome is that: Jesus slept exactly on what was keeping the water out, spiritually, he slept because he knew God was not going to allow the waves to overcome them.
Jesus was a man of prayer (Mark 4:35; Philippians 2:5-9); as a result, his assurance, confidence and strength came from our Father in heaven. When we develop a strong relationship with God through prayer, worship, mediation of the word and fellowship, we grow in trust and confidence of who God is which equips us for the storm.
Lesson 4 – Don’t React
“…Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? He Got up…” (Mark 4:38-39 NIV)
Jesus did not react to the situation; it is evident that the disciples were panicking but Jesus remained calm and did not react. In fact, when his disciples asked him the question frantically, he did not react to them or answer them, but he asserted his authority. We don’t have to react to our fickle emotions or thoughts; we don’t need to give into the panic because this only magnifies the situation.
Simple things such as taking a step back or walking away from whatever is triggering our mental health in order to breath and meditate on the word can really help to shift our focus to what and who is more important. When we do so, we’re able to act appropriately rather than irrationally, and quickly, what initially appears scary and unmanageable, begins to shrink
Lesson 5 – Authority and Power to Declare
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm” (Mark 4:39)
God gives us power and authority over the enemy, over sickness, over doubt, over sadness, over guilt, over temptation, over strongholds, over depression, over everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10: 5). In the book of Proverbs, we are reminded that death and life are in the power of the tongue (18: 21), therefore, we should take hold of that power and authority to speak life and the promises of God over ourselves, trusting that God has already completed what it is that we are asking for. Speaking life over whatever the circumstance is releases power in the spiritual realm and activates a transformation. It’s not to say that driving out depression will see it go overnight, but declaring, “I am a child of God with a godly purpose; God has a plan and future for me and not to harm me; God is my strength and rock; God loves me with an everlasting love and has made me fearfully and wonderfully”, helps to shift the focus away from:
- What we are not (mentally strong, genuinely happy, fearless) to who we are (blessed and fruitful, made in his image and with rulership over every creature of the sea, land and sky)
- What we do not know (when will I get to the other side) to what we do know (Christ who started this journey with me is with me until the end)
- What we cannot see (the light at the end of the tunnel) to everything God has already done in our lives so far (moved us from the start of the tunnel, and we’re still moving!)
I understand that everyone’s experience of mental health is different; this is not to minimise the seriousness or extent to how it can affect people and their ability to function on a day to day basis. After seeking help, I learned that this was a situational experience that was triggered by a seasonal event – however, I now feel equipped to approach triggers appropriately and how to respond if I feel that a storm is coming. I do encourage you to seek help if you need to speak to someone about your mental health, it is not one to go through alone, but do not underestimate God’s presence – he is with you whilst you are getting through it.
Photo Credit: https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2004/summer/18.41.html
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