I’m Not Okay … But Jesus Is
The Role of the Church
Day 3
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On Day Two, Louie Giglio leads us to understand the Church's role in facing the growing issue of mental health and suicide within it. The Church is available and present, but there are some approaches that need to be improved.
Summary
The Church cannot be silent anymore. Mental health and suicide are in the room, and the Church can be a part of de-stigmatizing it. The pressure to be okay is a heavyweight, and sometimes it's heaviest within the Church.
Why in the Church?
We are a faith community, and the perception is that our faith is supposed to be stronger than in the world. Our songs are songs of victory, so when you come through the door feeling defeated, like you're losing your mind and like you can't be honest- that's a heavy weight to carry.
The Church, in large part, has taught that suicide is an unpardonable sin. That is a huge stigma. Scripture doesn't support that. The Gospels say explicitly that the unpardonable sin is blaspheming the Holy Spirit. That means that someone continually rejects the wooing of the Holy Spirit over and over in their lifetime. Suicide isn't an unpardonable sin, but in the context of Scripture, it is a sin. However, according to Romans 3:23, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Even suicide is covered by the blood of Jesus.
The Church asks questions like, isn't faith enough? You're a Christian; shouldn't you overcome depression and your struggle? Is medication and/or therapy ok? Is a treatment facility ok? The message from the Church needs to be clear, and it's not, "you need to pray more." We've all been around long enough to know that it is not that simple. The clear statement of the Church should be " it's ok to not be ok." If you need help, get it. All plans for healing are God's plans for healing.
What's Next?
It's important to note that suicide is not an unpardonable sin. It is a sin, but it's covered by the blood of Jesus. We all have sinned against God and fallen short. It is, however, devastating. If you need help, please call the national hotline at 988 and reach out to your local church and organizations that are equipped and ready to be by your side and help you face this difficult time. There is hope. You always have hope.
If you have battled mental health issues and been a part of the Church, what did you find most helpful? Was there anything that hurt you deeply, and you wish it could have been handled differently?
If you have been on the side of helping others who are walking through the battle, what are some things you did that encouraged them to keep going? Is there anything that you wish you could do again in a different way?
Scripture References
