Articles
The Deterioration of Mental Health
By just about any metric, it appears that American society is struggling with a severe mental health crisis. This realization crosses political lines and seems fairly obvious just from an abundance of anecdotal evidence: vast populations across the country living in tent cities, high on drugs and generating such squalor that health officials are beginning to see the spread of highly communicable diseases that had heretofore become rare. It is observable in the plethora of violent crimes that are perpetrated at random, without any provocation. It is also evident in the astronomical use of prescription medications that people seem to need to cope with the normal stresses and strains of life.
I am not a medical expert; I do not play one on TV; and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. But it seems to me that much of what is plaguing Americans is traceable to the lack of spiritual attitudes and perspectives that equip humans to deal with life’s challenges. No doubt things have gotten much more complicated due to things like Covid, social media, dark forces that are intent on stoking anxiety and chaos, and self-interested parties peddling doomsday scenarios. But even though there are ebbs and flows of societal angst, the bottom line is that the fabric of this world is flawed and those who try to find emotional health and stability in it are blindly stumbling down a path on the way to nowhere. Life is not a Rubik’s Cube that can be quickly solved by rote memorization of possible solutions. It is more like a GPS with a glitch that leads to a cliff. How, then, do we find the right way?
I also find it interesting that in reading various articles and books on coping with anxiety and achieving emotional balance, the solutions offered are often connected to principles that have been present in Scripture for two millennia (or longer in the case of the OT).
For example, Dr. Amit Sood, CEO of the Resilient Option, a program to improve resilience in the face of life-stresses, comments: “We teach awareness of what’s challenging you; paying attention; and the five principles of attitude: gratitude, compassion, acceptance, meaning and forgiveness” (Costco Connection, January 2024, p 31). Seems that the “experts” are finally catching up with the Bible. What can we observe about Sood’s “five principles of attitude”?
Gratitude. One of the primary “planks” of the gospel is that God has blessed us far beyond our merit or worth. In a word, we are all recipients of God’s grace. Thus, we are directed toward gratitude for blessings received: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Th 5:18); “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God …” (Col 3:17); “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb 13:15); etc. Gratitude keeps us focused on how blessed we actually are; it negates the tendency toward negativity and depression which is often spurred by an exaggerated view of reality.
Compassion. Another plank of the gospel is a benevolent spirit toward the suffering. So much of Jesus’ short tenure of kingdom preparation was devoted to healing, teaching and gently correcting the desperate hordes who flocked to Him for relief. Yes, He took on the misguided religious establishment and confronted hypocrisy, ignorance and evil, but the lion’s share of His energy went into those who were in deep spiritual distress – sometimes brought on by their own carnal desires and sins.
Bitterness and hypercriticism lead to aloofness, isolation and loneliness, thus magnifying our misery and separating us from meaningful relationships that can help us deal with life. The brokenness of this world is enough to make the godly long for a sabbatical or perhaps a cozy cabin in the mountains to get away from it all. But this is not the life God wants us to lead. He wants us to be compassionate toward those who are suffering – even as Jesus was “moved with compassion … because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Mt 9:36). Caring for others will keep us grounded and maintain perspective on our own struggles.
Acceptance. Biblically, acceptance of life’s trials is found in trusting in the overarching love and concern of God for us. God will not intervene to shield us from every hurt, for He allows human free will to operate. But a vibrant, intimate relationship with our heavenly Father will help us accept even the hard times. Because of our own stubborn will and preoccupation with the world we seem to learn best from trial, leading Solomon to observe: “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (Ecc 7:2-4). Whether God causes or allows tribulation, we are at peace when we trust His superintendence of our lives. We grow from facing and surviving hardship.
Meaning. This is where atheism falls miserably short, for a godless view of human existence strips man of ultimate meaning and value. All we are left with is an accidental, unintentional biological existence that is destined for extinction. We can try to make our mark in this world – and some do even through infamy and violence, but we are destined to be forgotten as the stream of life moves on (Ecc 1:10-11; 9:15). This emptiness and futility, no doubt, is the cause of much mental anguish and aimlessness. It is a terrible thought to live with, especially amid the death and treachery and injustice on every hand. “Is there any real meaning to my life?” many ask on one level or another, and the answer from God is, “Yes, and you will find that meaning when you genuinely consider My Son who died that you might truly live.” Which leads to Sood’s last healthy attitude …
Forgiveness. Matthew Henry comments: “Wisdom teaches us not to expect that those we deal with should be faultless; we ourselves are not so, none are so, no, not the best. This wisdom strengthens the wise as much as anything …” (Vol 3, p 1021). Jesus teaches us to pray, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors …” (Mt 6:12). Some live by the mantra, “Cross me once and I’ll never forget it!” But the spirit of vengeance and unyielding belligerence is faux strength; it doesn’t reflect the character of God but rather the worst of man. The more honest psychologists study the mind, the more they learn what the Bible has said all along.
