10th October is Mental Health Awareness Day (UK). Let us remember and pray for those with mental health issues this week as well as think of ways we can guard our minds practically from the “pull” of worldliness at every turn.

The mind-gate as the eye gate are Satan’s targets to bring temptation to us and doubt about God and who we are in Him! From these two channels our hearts (the innermost core of who we are) can become afflicted.

Let us be reminded of the following key scriptures:

-“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 NLT)

-“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23 NLT)

Trapped!

Beaten against the bushels,

pained by worldly thorns,

trampled by passersby and

deceivers posing as friends,

her disheartened soul found

rest among the despondent

at their fest.

Their complaints cooked up

bitter broth when swallowed,

their chains were strengthened

in that dreadful place.

She longed to flee but how could

she when her feet were padlocked

to the guardian of death and his

cloak like steel weighed her down?

Think about this poem above entitled “Trapped”. It reminds us of the consequences of keeping the wrong company; in hard times, they remain agents of satanic reinforcement so that there is no where to escape!

Caution! The bible says do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. Can two walk together if they do not agree? (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Some things to think about:

-If we say we are Christ’s do our social lives truly reflect this fact?

-Do we seek the counsel of the ungodly?

The Word of God has all that we need for holiness and godliness and God is able to lead us to those who can counsel and help us in our decision-making and plans.

-Do we stay put in compromising situations and relationships to our detriment? If so why?

Fear of not fitting in or what people might say are some of the main reasons why people tend to do this.

But our Christian lives require sacrifice and separation from the world. If Jesus suffered, was persecuted and misunderstood how much more we, who are his?

Our mental health as believers in Christ should be important to us because we do not only receive healing, but we need to sustain our healing so as to be effective in our calling as Christ’s Ambassadors.

Let us say this day with the Apostle Paul as we boldly march on in Christ

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2:20 KJV).

God bless Deborah Esther x

©️10/10/2018

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