From the May Issue
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this is a clarion call to the church. As the church doors open, they are not well-prepared to address the emotional wounds. People are returning with job loss, grief, fear, depression, and physical conditions not recognizing the seriousness and remaining silent. Do we hear the modern-day voices of Elijah, Job, and Jeremiah who suffered from depression to being hopeless? Elijah ran in fear (1Kings 19:3); Job lost everything (Job 13:15); Jeremiah felt isolated (Lamentations 3:24). The church is the people of God, the assembly, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, and still struggles with the mistaken belief about emotional health. Some will ignore it, and some do not know how to address it.
So, what is the church to do? In John 5:6, Jesus asked the man paralyzed, “Do you want to be made well?” Now, I ask the church, “Do you want to be made well?” We must get the church to feel comfortable to shift their beliefs and answer the call.
- Be a compassionate church by creating a safe space for authentic conversations.
- Bring awareness of wellness by partnering with professionals and community organizations.
- Teach on the whole person – Spirit, Mind, and Body.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to you with a humble heart and thank you in advance for restoring our Spirit, Minds, and Body.
Minister Sonya Hosey, Ordained Clergy
Founder -Iron Sharpens Iron – 4MySisters Network
https://www.facebook.com/ironsharpensiron63
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UJIMA MAGAZINE 