Having a mental illness or disorder can be debilitating as it affects the way a person functions, the way they feel and think. Sadly, relationships and a person’s walk with God can also be affected, due to the state of their mental health, and it is vital for us to take care of this aspect of our tripartite being.
The biblical illustration of the ‘three-fold cord is not easily broken” Ecclesiastes 4:12 is used below to explain how a three-fold being, consisting of a mind, body and spirit needs to be taken care of.
Example Of The Three Fold Cord
The three-fold cord passage uses the example of strong hemp ropes used on ships in ancient times and to this very day they are used for their strength. Three cords (made of 3 ropes) are twisted and intertwined into making one make a bigger and stronger rope. If one strand on the cord is broken, the remaining intertwined strands end up carrying all the weight and the cord is effectively weakened. We are like the ship’s rope made of three parts. We are stronger if the three parts are functioning at their best. Thus, looking after ourselves holistically means having a healthy approach to taking care of ourselves. We can’t afford to neglect any aspect of the mind, body or spirit.
Not facing problems can have a negative impact on our thought life, affecting the choices we make, and filter through to our emotions. Here are some steps to take for looking after our own mental health.
1.Take Responsibility
Own it. Accept and acknowledge that there’s a problem. Keep a journal, writing down things like emotions, moods, behaviours and thought patterns that keep us ‘out of peace.’ Accept that nobody else is responsible for our own mental health. It’s up to us to take charge of our own wellbeing. This can be for addictions, hatred and grudges, the past, trauma, depression and anxiety, amongst other mental health conditions and for the things we hold onto like excess baggage weighing us down.
Internalising our problems or denying that we have them at all doesn’t help at all. Everything has its season. Not facing problems may also affect our thought life, choices we make and emotions.
2.Ask for help
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’ve lost your faith. Many Christians have this internal battle going on, but are quick to forget that God is not the author of confusion. If you’re concerned for your mental health you also have every right to ask for help. Over the years I’ve encountered others who doubt that mental illness can be physiological. Most doubters end up attributing mental illness to be solely a spiritual problem. Jesus healed the blind and the lame and yet Christians happily go to see their doctor with all other problems. Not every problem is spiritual, but there’s also nothing that God can’t heal.
Neglecting ourselves by going without the right support can lead to the deterioration of our mental health and emotional wellbeing. There’s absolutely nothing we can do without the mind.
“What does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?” MARK 8.36. The soul is the mind where emotions live.
3.Pray
Put God first in all things by praying and communicating to our God who is ever present and listening out for us. He’s a tower of strength we can lean on. We can leave our burdens with Him. We can come to him broken and scared and he won’t turn us away. God is with us on our journey to guide us along the way to healing and He can lead us to the right treatments.
Example prayer: Father in heaven, I trust you and pray that you heal me and lead me to the right support that I need to make me well again. I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
4.Break the chain – talk to someone you trust
It helps to have a close friend or family member to talk to when we are have concerns or are facing life’s struggles, but that’s not always the case for some of us. We might feel ashamed to open up our hearts to someone we know and there might be a lack of trust. In that case talking to a mental health professional can be much easier due to the fact that they are a complete stranger with no ties to anyone we know. They have the training, tools, strategies and experience to get us through.
Sandra Ciminelli
Cred. aifc, Dip.Couns. (Christian)
Where to Get Help
Talk to your doctor and see a mental health professional.
Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.
Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.
Studying at aifc
Have you thought about counselling? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
- Beginning of the year in February.
- Mid-year in July.
Enrolment season opens 2-3 months prior our courses commencing. Enrol online here during our enrolment season.
Enquire now and fill out the form with your details to receive course information by email.
Those living overseas can study aifc’s courses via our Distance Based Program.
The International Student Program, enables those with a student visa to Study On Campus in Sydney.
A Master of Counselling course is a one year (full-time) or 2 years (part-time), and is an award accredited by the University of Divinity, delivered through a partnership with Stirling Theological College.
Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397
Have you thought about becoming a qualified counsellor? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God's love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
Enrolment Season - opens approximately 2 months prior to our courses commencing. Enrol online here during our enrolment season.
We also offer two modes of study:
A Master of Counselling course was introduced in 2018.