Inviting God into Our Problem

I have noticed an interesting, if not troubling, phenomenon among those suffering from mental and emotional distress and illness. Sometimes the comment is made that they’ve prayed for healing, and that “did not work” and so they turn to things such as counseling, therapies, or other personal and inner work.

My question to them, and to myself, is this: Have I, have you invited God into your problem?

We pray about our physical illnesses, but we don't necessarily expect God to heal our broken leg or an infection of some kind, remove the kidney stones, or relieve the congestive heart failure. Yes, we pray about our health, we request God's help, but we also incorporate medication, sometimes surgery, and maybe rehabilitation of some kind. There is usually a journey to physical health, and we all understand and accept this.

When it comes to our mental and emotional health, it should be similar.

Our brains are physical organs and are subject to injury and illness like the rest of our bodies. It is more complicated because our brain is also the seat of our emotion and is also the place where our spiritual battles take place. It's where our thoughts are formulated and our temptations come.  There is most certainly a battle for the mind against evil forces. What is physical, and what is mental? What is emotional, and what is spiritual?

When thinking about this, sometimes it is helpful to use a spectrum of sorts. On one end of the spectrum, we have a well-adjusted individual with a healthy self-perception, mental energy, and who is, for the most part, at peace, with the usual amount of stress and the normal ups and downs of life.  On the other end of the spectrum, we have traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, or other severely incapacitating mental dysfunction. In between we have all manner of emotional and mental distresses caused by anything from mild depression, guilt, shame, and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

In the context of our discussion today, it doesn't really matter what our problem is. What is important is that we invite God into it.

Almost invariably our path to healing, wholeness, and health is a journey. Miracles, by their very definition, are rare. Thus, we invite God into our problem and ask Him which direction he wants us to go. Sometimes we do find that our illness or dysfunction disappears over a fairly short time, and we attribute that to God's healing grace and power. Other times he directs us to a doctor, a counselor, a book, or a friend who gives us some thoughts or directs us in a certain way. Sometimes our healing journey goes in directions we never would have expected. It takes us into dark places where we may learn disturbing but insightful things about ourselves. That journey may take us to a painful corner of our lives where we have to work hard, do a little digging, and get dirty in order to find the gold that we're looking for.

There is no doubt in my mind that God is very interested in every aspect of our lives. I just turned 51, and I'm still learning about this; how God is interested in the smallest things even if I don't feel that I deserve any attention in these matters. He's interested in my family, my health, my job, my relationships, the little itty-bitty aches and pains. Sometimes he does choose to give a quick fix, but those are very rare. Most often he shows me the areas that need work, the next steps to take, or opens the door to a certain way.

Inviting God into our problem goes hand in hand with the word ‘surrender.’ No matter what we are facing, there must be an element of surrender, and then the willingness for whatever that means in our hearts and spirits. We can invite God into our problem, but if we're not surrendered to the process, we will not find the help we need. Surrender may come in the form of just simply becoming willing to go to the doctor to have my labs checked. Surrender may mean going to my brethren for help. Surrender may mean laying down some long-held ideas and concepts about my mental and emotional health. Surrender may mean laying down the past, forgiving, and moving on.

Inviting God into our problem means trusting Him that He is well able to accomplish what He has for us in life. He is well able to open doors and windows that we cannot imagine today. He is well able to bring about healing in His time, and often through a journey that is educational, insightful, and strengthening.

Inviting God into our problem is key. If you feel like you are not making headway or you're stuck, it's time to have a serious talk with God and ask Him to infuse His spirit into your problem and whatever you're facing. Surrender yourself to whatever journey lies ahead. There is grace for the way and his strength is made perfect in weakness.

BF

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