Elephant in the Room: Mental Health

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Elephant in the Room: Mental Health

April 23, 2023 • Pastor Ron Hoffman

Loving Jesus and Battling Depression: A Christian Perspective

In today's world, many people struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. As Christians, we may wonder if it's possible to love Jesus and still struggle with these conditions. The answer is yes; we can love Jesus and still face mental health challenges. There are examples in the Bible that show even great men of faith, such as Elijah and David, experienced depression.

Elijah, a powerful prophet in the Old Testament, performed incredible miracles, such as praying for rain after seven years of drought and calling down fire from heaven. Yet, even after these amazing feats, Elijah faced a moment of despair and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). This shows that even the strongest believers can face depression.

Similarly, David, a man after God's own heart, experienced moments of deep sadness. In Psalms 13:1, David asks, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Despite his strong faith, David faced moments of despair.

It's important to remember that struggling with mental health does not mean you're not a good Christian; it means that you're human. Our mental health can be affected by various factors such as rest, nutrition, exercise, and quality friendships. As Christians, we need to take care of ourselves, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

God cares about our mental health struggles. Psalms 34:18 says, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." It's crucial to turn to God in times of difficulty and seek His comfort and guidance.

Sometimes, seeking help from a Christian counselor can be beneficial. Proverbs 11:14 states, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Seeking counseling is not a sign of weakness; it's a sign of wisdom.

The process of renewing our minds and transforming them to be more like Christ's is an ongoing journey. Romans 12:2 tells us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

We must be patient with ourselves and others as we work on our mental health and strive to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Loving God with all our hearts, souls, strength, and minds (Luke 10:27) means that we should actively work on improving our mental health and supporting others in their journey as well.

It's possible to love Jesus and still face depression or anxiety. Our mental health battles do not define our faith, and God is always with us during our struggles. As Christians, we should strive to renew our minds and become more Christ-like while offering support and understanding to those who are facing mental health challenges.

Elephant in the Room: Apathy

May 14, 2023 • Pastor Calvin Hoffman

A Christian perspective on the issue of apathy examines the profound difference between laziness and apathy. According to Proverbs 13:4, "A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied," laziness is the reluctance to exert energy or perform tasks when the capacity to do so exists. Scripture speaks unequivocally against slothfulness, encouraging followers of God to be diligent, reflecting Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." Yet, apathy, while related, is distinct from laziness. It represents an indifference towards issues that matter to God, a sort of spiritual desensitization. This desensitization is not unlike the metaphor my mother would frequently use when I was a child, that of 'poop in the brownie.' This metaphor, although crude, perfectly encapsulates our tendency to become numb to the presence of evil and corruption, justifying minor immoralities as inconsequential. But Romans 12:2 reminds us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." As Christians, we are called to be sensitive to what grieves the heart of God, yet we risk becoming desensitized due to overexposure to worldly influences. This desensitization, much like the formation of callouses on our hands from repeated friction, numbs us to the spiritual friction we ought to feel when we stray from God's path. The heart, like our hands, can grow calloused to the Holy Spirit's conviction when we persist in sin, leading to a diminished sensitivity to sin. Remembering the first time we sinned after becoming believers, the Holy Spirit gently nudged us, making us aware that our actions were inappropriate for a follower of Christ. However, if we repeatedly ignore this spiritual friction, our hearts can become calloused to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, leading to spiritual apathy. Imagine a television show you've been engrossed in for seasons, then suddenly, it introduces explicit content. Or a song you enjoy for its rhythm and beat, only to realize the lyrics are contrary to God's word. Or even video games filled with violence and inappropriate language. These are scenarios where we face a choice to either remain engrossed in worldly content or to prioritize our souls over temporal pleasures. As Christians, we should not be looking for ways to incorporate worldly trends into the church in an attempt to avoid offending the world. Instead, we should be guided by the words of James 4:4, "You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." God's call to us is to resist the temptation to become desensitized or apathetic to the world's ways. Instead, let us strive to remain sensitive to His Spirit, continually renewing our minds and hearts, and focusing on what is pleasing to Him.

Elephant in the Room: Going Woke

May 7, 2023 • Pastor Ron Hoffman

God's Freedom, God-Given Freedom, and the Word of God As Christians, we must stand for justice, freedom, and equality, following the teachings of Jesus Christ. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for these principles, which are rooted in biblical truth. It is essential that we revisit the core values of the original "woke" movement and differentiate them from the distorted version we see today. Galatians 5:1 states, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." God wants us to experience freedom, but not at the expense of others. We must strive for a society that treats everyone fairly and justly, regardless of their race or background. Dr. King's vision was one of unity and equal opportunity for all. Sadly, the term "woke" has been hijacked by various groups with different agendas, leading to division and confusion. We must remember the essence of the original movement, rooted in godly justice and love for our neighbors, as commanded in Mark 12:31, "Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." As Christians, we must discern between the truth and the lies. Matthew 7:15-20 warns us about false prophets and their fruits, urging us to recognize them by the outcomes of their actions. The original woke movement aimed to fight for moral justice, peace, and unity. In contrast, the hijacked version promotes division, hatred, and a distorted sense of justice. In our pursuit of equality, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of favoring one group over another based on superficial factors like race or background. Romans 2:11 reminds us, "For God does not show favoritism." We must embrace the biblical principle of equal opportunity for all, regardless of their circumstances. The concept of inclusion, while noble in its intentions, can become problematic when it requires us to accept beliefs and practices that go against our faith. We must be cautious not to compromise our Christian values in the name of inclusion. As Christians, we must stand firm in our pursuit of justice, equality, and freedom, guided by the Word of God. We must seek to understand the original intentions behind movements like "woke" and remain vigilant against those who would manipulate and distort them for personal gain. By doing so, we can work towards a more loving, unified, and just society for all.

Elephant in the Room: Politics

April 30, 2023 • Eric Metaxis

As believers in Christ, we must not be afraid of the truth or real dialogue. The Bible teaches us not to fear, as it is written in 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV): "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." We should be free to discuss any topic, including the biblical view on male and female roles. In our culture, some may argue that the Bible's teachings are obsolete, but as Christians, we must stand firm in our faith and not shy away from the truth. We are called to love our neighbors, even those who are struggling or confused. As Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) instructs us, we must "speak the truth in love." The church has a crucial role to play in society, and history has shown us the consequences of remaining silent. We must not follow in the footsteps of the German church in the 1930s, which remained silent in the face of oppression. Instead, we must rise up and speak the truth in love, addressing critical issues and advocating for justice. It is essential to live out our faith in every sphere of life, not just within the walls of the church. James 2:17 (NIV) states, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." We must be willing to stand up for our beliefs and not fear being "canceled" or silenced by others. As Christians, we must not forget the sacrifices made by those who came before us, like William Wilberforce, who fought against slavery in the 18th century. Our faith must inspire us to be agents of change and work to create a more just and compassionate society. Romans 8:28 (NIV) reminds us that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Therefore, even in times of darkness, we must trust that God is using these circumstances for good and continue to be a light in the world. In conclusion, as the American church, we must rise up and live out our faith in every aspect of life. We must stand up for justice, advocate for the oppressed, and speak the truth in love. Our actions, rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ, will bear witness to the transforming power of God's love and help bring about change in our world.