Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Reach out for the help God has placed within your reach and make the call. Let’s not ignore the ways in which He works to help, heal and provide for us. Nor should we ever stop praying for or expecting miracles.
“…you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.” (Isaiah 43:4 NLT)
The season our world is reeling from has many of us feeling stuck and needing to ask for help. After forced isolation, faces covered, and physical touch prohibited, we face a long road of recovery not just from the tragic loss of life, but in how we reach out to love one another through life. Physical, mental and spiritual symptoms abound to alert us to the need for help and healing. God did not create us to live alone. In fact, He guarantees we are never alone in Christ Jesus, and His Holy Spirit resides in every Christ follower! But far more, our faithful Father purposefully places us in our generations, communities, and families.
Nothing will ever be perfect this side of heaven, but we are not alone. Let’s cling to the love which binds us to each other as we come together again. We can hold onto our faith. God is our Rock, Provider, and Healer. Let’s not ignore the ways in which He works to help, heal and provide for us. Nor should we ever stop praying for or expecting miracles.
1. Thoughts of Suicide
“Because you are precious in My sight, You are honored and I love you …” (Isaiah 43:4 AMP)
Every life is valuable. If you are thinking about suicide, call this hotline.
1-800-273-TALK.
For Spanish, dial 1-888-628-9454. For deaf or hard of hearing: dial 711, then 1-800-273-8255. The online chat: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat
Don’t wait. Don’t hesitate. Reach out for the help God has placed within your reach and make the call. If there was a guarantee of a life full of more than you could ask for or imagine, you would make that call, wouldn’t you? Well, that’s not just a possibility, a wish, or a prayer. It’s a reality for every human being on this earth. God is drawing all of us back to Him so He can reveal the specific purpose He has put in every single one of us. Your life matters, because you’re the only one carrying the unique purpose He chose you to carry through this life on earth. And it isn’t just about your happiness, but all of the other people God has placed in your life to love through you.
2. Physical Symptoms
“Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you …” (Isaiah 43:4 ESV)
Sleeplessness, unexplainable weight gain, addiction, loss of appetite, self-harm such as hair pulling or cutting can all by symptoms to treatable issues. There is a multitude of hurt and brokenness in this world. We never have to feel shame over things which are plaguing us, or keeping us from living our lives the way God meant for us to — not necessarily pain free, but definitely to the full!
We’ve all navigated this past season of pandemic on adrenaline. As we are emerging from it our bodies will once again need time, compassion, rest, and care as we adjust. Trouble sleeping can be a symptom of a multitude of physical and mental health issues. Reach out to a friend, family member, pastor, counselor, medical professional to see if they recognize or can help find the root of the problem.
3. Mental Symptoms
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mind. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end- Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That’s how much you mean to me! That’s how much I love you! I’d sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.” (Isaiah 43:1-4 Message)
When we read these verses from Isaiah in the Message paraphrase, we are able to gather a modern-day feel for how much God loves us. Our current situation in the world isn’t a shock to Him. He is unchanging. Steady as He has always been. Our Rock and Redeemer, Healer and Provider. When our minds are suffering, we need His healing.
Isolation, lack of focus, excessive fear, constant sadness, lack of motivation to do the things we would normally love to do all can be signs and symptoms of treatable problems. We were not meant to live alone, so even introverted people need actual face-time with others. Our brains are organs which help to make us function correctly, just like the other parts of us. There is no shame in asking for help when the wheels are falling off. We seek help for sore throats and broken bones, our minds deserve no less care. Counselors are angels on this earth, able to help us sort through and identify the source of our suffering, and come alongside us as we heal.
4. Spiritual Symptoms
“Because you are special to Me and I love you, I gladly give up other peoples in exchange for you; they are trivial by comparison to your weighty significance.” (Isaiah 43:4 VOICE)
When Isaiah wrote his book, people in the ancient world worshipped many gods. Those gods didn’t always love the people that worshipped them the most! Sometimes they loved places, such as temples. “Israel’s God, rather than loving an individual or place, loves an entire people, acting on that love on their behalf” (Zondervan). There is a spiritual battle waging war all around us, but we are sealed with Holy Spirit as His when we follow Christ Jesus. Still, we can endure seasons of attack and feel a lack of God’s presence.
Pastor’s and church leaders are there to help. Most importantly, persevere in the daily habit of seeking Him in prayer and in His Word. Take time to notice creation, count blessings, and look back on answered prayers and miracles we’ve witnessed and experienced in our lifetime. What we feel doesn’t change who God is. He is always who He is. Unchanging. Always with us.
The entire world is stuck and reeling from the pandemic, amidst all of the other complicated issues ongoing around the globe. Injustice, wars, famines and natural disasters are happening daily in our world. God is not surprised. He is ever ready to care for us and heal us in a way in which only He can. It’s more important now than ever before, to acknowledge our weaknesses and seek the help He has provided to heal. When others see and hear of our story, they will also wonder Who we have followed to such a place of healing and peace despite the direst circumstances. Christ gives us a hope and a joy that supersedes anything else on this earth. Let us not forget the aid we have at the tips of our fingers, nor neglect to tell of it!
Sources:
Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the Old Testament. Copyright 2002.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images
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