Recently I had the privilege of attending a session that was led by a psychologist with a doctorate in mental and emotional health. During this workshop he made the comment that the individual’s core emotional and mental security has been dealt an extreme attack over the last few years. What can we do to heal, mend and foster greater mental and emotional health? May I suggest the following menu item. Let’s call it the mental health sandwich.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6,7

Start with the bottom slice of bread is in everything - in all of life’s issues, concerns, stresses and decisions. Now here comes the two slices of meat. The first slice, Pray. Tell God your need, vent, cry out, discuss, reason and communicate your “everything.” Then add to that the action of giving Him thanks. Take a moment and be grateful, recall, remember what you have already received. Let the goodness of His grace previously experienced wash over your mind and emotions in moments of gratitude and thanksgiving.

And now for the slice of bread on the top. You will enjoy a real and personal experience of God’s peace, a palpable transformative experience of deep peace that is not due to some mental processing or logic-based outcome but an encounter with God which renews, refreshes and covers your heart, soul and mind. In this post Covid, crazy world that seems out of control and overwhelming at times, we have a recipe for emotional, mental and spiritual health. Make it part of your healthy diet and choose often to eat of this tasty sandwich.

Q: What needs do you have now that you should be telling God about?
Q: What stress or negative thoughts will change when you experience His peace beyond understanding?