One of my greatest joys is serving students, families, schools, and communities as a school psychologist.  Although direct contact with children is the best part of my day, I also have the pleasure of working alongside some of the most dedicated and outstanding teachers anywhere.  Having spent considerable time in classrooms, regardless of the level—elementary, middle, or high school—or subject matter, good teaching is palpable.  Coupled with developing meaningful relationships with their students, effective teachers have a knack for explaining complex concepts in ways that children understand.  Said another way, after knowing their students, good teachers modify (e.g., differentiate) their instructional practices so that information is accessible to everyone.  A master teacher, Christ also did these things.  By spending time with people, getting to know them, and most importantly loving them, he explained spiritual things in ways that were comprehensible and helped them to grow.  

PERSPECTIVE FROM PARABLES 

Stories can be a very effective teaching tool.  For Jesus specifically, parables—short, simple allegories that revealed a profound lesson or spiritual truth—were a regular part of his ministerial methodology.  Recorded in Luke 15, Jesus told a group of people who were not religious (vv. 1-2) three parables: the lost sheep (vv. 3-7), the lost coin (vv. 8-10), and the lost (prodigal) son (vv. 11-31).  And although there are many elements that can be expounded upon in these stories, let’s focus on God’s commitment to loving us, especially when we are most in need of love. 

The parable of the lost sheep contains these words in verse 4: If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it?  In the parable of the lost coin, this is written in verse 8: Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it?  In the parable of the lost son, verse 20 says this: …And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.  Whether a lost animal, a lost coin, or a lost child, God’s love always gives particular attention to who or what is most in need. 

BLACK LIVES MATTER 

Established in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black teenager, the Black Lives Matter movement raises awareness about longstanding systemic racism and injustice that disproportionately affects Black people in America.  While there are numerous examples (e.g., access to affordable housing, healthcare, and quality education through adequately funded public schools), the data below are nonetheless alarming and help illustrate the need for the Black Lives Matter movement. 

1. Of the 598 individuals who have been killed by police in 2020, Black individuals are 28 percent of those victims, despite being 13 percent of the population. 
2. Compared to White individuals, Black people are 1.3 times more likely to be unarmed, but 3 times more likely to be killed by police.  

Although we may not agree with the political platform of the Black Lives Matter organization in its entirety, the fundamental premise of the movement should be without controversy: Black people deserve the rights, benefits, safety, access, and opportunities that are afforded to other lives.  But since its existence, there has been resistance to the idea that Black lives matter.  One of the most common counterarguments is All Lives Matter.  

Returning to Luke 15, after the prodigal son came home, his father had a party to celebrate the fact that he who was once lost was now safe (vv. 20-22).  The older brother, however, was neither excited about nor supportive of the joyous occasion.  Verses 28, 29, and 30: The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, “All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to.  And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.  Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!”  Among other issues, these verses highlight the difference between Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter.  The party for the lost son did not mean that he was more important than his brother.  The party for the lost son did not mean that the father loved him more than his brother.  The party for the lost son did not mean that the older brother didn’t matter.  But because he was lost, it was fitting to celebrate his return to safety.   

All Lives Matter shifts the focus from the issue at hand: Black lives are in danger, and perhaps endangered.  And because of this, we should work for comprehensive policy changes that ensure their protection.  All Lives Matter centers self and ignores the societal ills that disproportionately affect Black children, Black adults, Black families, and Black communities.  Although the older brother was upset with his father, rather than condemning him, let’s try to understand his frustration.  According to cultural norms, his birth order meant that he was centered.  In other words, he was the most respected and the one who received the most attention.  But when he was no longer the focus, he became angry.  Based on the social hierarchy that has been created in America as a function of race, Black Lives Matter can be unsettling for some White people because it decenters their positionality.  But like the father’s actions in the parable, Black Lives Matter does not mean that all lives don’t matter. 

EQUALITY VS. EQUITY 

The current climate surrounding race relations in America has led many PK-12 schools, colleges, universities, and other organizations to embark upon anti-racism initiatives.  Often including professional development, sessions likely discuss the differences between equality and equity.  In fact, some of us may be familiar with the myriad internet images used to contrast these constructs.  Delineating the distinctions is beyond the scope of this message; but one point is key: whereas equality is treating everyone the same, equity is giving everyone what they need based on their unique circumstances.  In other words, although God loves all of us with the same intensity, passion, and commitment, God also knows our respective histories, personalities, and idiosyncrasies to purposefully love us in ways that are individually meaningful.  And while such love requires God to do different things for different people at different times in their lives, it never means that God loves one person more than anyone else.  For those who are the parent or guardian of more than one child, because you love your children in ways that are aligned to their individual needs, does this mean that you love either of them more than the others?   

Some of us have been the lone lost sheep and God left the 99 to pursue us until we were safe.  Others have been the lost coin that God did not stop searching for until we were found.  In both instances, it wasn’t that the others did not matter or were less valued by God; but the one that was unprotected deserved particular attention.  And because of who God is, when you’re the one in danger, God will focus on you.

Be encouraged.  There is more to life than going through. 

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES 

As individuals, we have different backgrounds and life experiences.  However, despite our diversity, God is committed to meeting each of us at the point of our need and revealing things to us in ways that are relevant and meaningful.  For this reason, the New Testament Gospels often recount the same events from various perspectives.  As each record accentuates a point of view that would have otherwise been lost in a single retelling, reading each account provides the most comprehensive understanding of what actually happened. 

Recorded in Matthew (8: 23-27), Mark (4: 35-41), and Luke (8: 22-25), the disciples encountered a storm while travelling from Galilee to the other side.  As the winds were blowing and they feared for their lives, Matthew writes, "Lord, save us! We’re going to drown (verse 25)!"  Similarly, Luke records these words: "Master, Master, we’re going to drown (verse 24)!"  The retelling that is captured in Mark, however, is markedly different.  Although each writer depicted the disciples as men who were desperate for divine intervention, Mark suggests that they were also slightly annoyed with Jesus as they said, "Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown (verse 38)?"  Whereas Matthew and Luke focused on what they wanted Jesus to do, Mark questioned Jesus.  Whereas the cries recorded by Matthew and Luke assumed that Jesus could save them, Mark wasn’t necessarily doubting his ability to rescue them from the perils of the storm, but rather whether he cared enough to do so.  In other words, "I know that you can, but will you do this for me?" 

A CRISIS OF FAITH 

Despite the differing, but not conflicting perspectives, the response from Jesus was the same and showed that the disciples were experiencing a crisis of faith (Matthew 8: 26-27; Mark 4: 40-41; Luke 8: 25).  Like many of us, especially as we’re going through storms of our own, the disciples were surprised that Jesus had everything under control.  Despite walking and talking with him, and witnessing the many miracles he performed for others, when they needed Jesus to do something for them, their belief was clouded with unbelief (Mark 9: 24).  Parenthetically, if others are critical of you because you’re unsure of how you’ll get through challenging situations, be encouraged.  Faith and fear are not incompatible.  More accurately, faith is the triumph over fear.   

DIRECT EXPERIENCE 

Although the miracles that Jesus had already performed showed unbelievers that he was the Son of God, they were also significant for the 12 men whom he called to help change the world.  Moreover, because everything that we experience prepares us for what’s coming next, the storm was not the end; but it was necessary so that the disciples could effectively minister to those on the other side.  Even today, how can we encourage others to trust God through difficult seasons if we have not already trusted him for ourselves?  How can we tell others to have faith in God if we have not overcome our uncertainty about what God will do for us?  How we can tell others that God cares for them if we have not been convinced of this truth ourselves?  After we’ve weathered storms with Jesus, and have personally experienced the supernatural power of God, nothing can challenge the reality of who God is.   

THE OTHER SIDE OF THROUGH 

As always, what we go through is never about us.  Therefore, the significance of the storm is not that the disciples made it to the other side, but all that happened on the other side.  In other words, the storm was less about the disciples than those whom they were destined to meet on the other side.  In fact, not only did Jesus feed a crowd of more than 5,000 with a little boy’s lunch (Mark 6: 33-44), but the same disciples who were amazed that he could handle the storm, also performed extraordinary deeds (Mark 6: 13).  So not only does Jesus have supernatural power, but because we know him, we too have the authority to positively affect those around us (John 14: 12). 

2 Corinthians 4: 17: "For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long..."  As it was for the disciples, our present troubles are simply storms that we must go through.  But here’s the good news: storms are temporary.  And although we might not realize it while we’re going through, when we get to the other side, and meet people who need to experience the life changing love of God, we’ll know that it was worth it.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1; New International Version).  In light of what transpired throughout 72 painful hours of American history in July 2016, many were asking a multitude of questions.  First, why did these tragedies occur?  But equally important, what do we do now?  Although the second question implies taking the necessary steps to learn and grow from these heinous atrocities that claimed the lives of seven men, it is not meant to minimize the reality that there are hurting children, distraught loved ones, and splintered communities that are still reeling from these terrible events.  In no way does it seek to overshadow the excruciating pain of young people who were left without fathers and families suddenly without providers.  Yes, we must be careful to not rush the grieving and healing process by moving on too quickly; but we also cannot spend an inordinate amount of time merely glorifying the problem of injustice that continues to plague our nation.   

Even as we grapple with this critical challenge, one that is packed with possibility and promise for tomorrow, we should not deceive ourselves that the answer is simple—not that we would want such a response.  Instead, we must work to develop and implement a multifaceted strategy that effectively addresses a complex issue such as racism.  When the Apostle Paul wrote that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6: 12; King James Version), it is analogous to warring against things that we cannot see—things that transcend what can be discerned with our natural senses.  And so it is with racism: a systemic structure of inequity that is maintained by some benefiting while others are necessarily mistreated.  For this reason, the problem is not Black people or White people.  The problem is not law enforcement or police brutality.  The problem will not be addressed through the lens of gun lobbyists, increasing access to mental health treatment, or changing legislation.  These things are symptomatic of institutionalized racism, which is embedded within our political, educational, and every other societal system.  Although no individual or entity bares the blame for the place in which we find ourselves, it will take everyone’s involvement to dismantle a centuries-old establishment. 

In responding to a national tragedy in 1994, I heard these words from Rev. DeForest Buster Soaries, Jr.: “it boggles my mind and challenges my ministry...”  A simple statement, but its profundity continues to echo as I, like many others, seek to not only understand what happened but also what must be done in the days, weeks, and years ahead.  As you continue reading, I invite you—Black, White, Native American, Asian, Hispanic, poor, middle class, rich, female, male, gay, straight, transgender—to consider three ways, albeit far from exhaustive, that we can honor the sons, brothers, boyfriends, husbands, and fathers whose lives were lost on July 5, 6, and 7, 2016.  

THE ROLE OF THE INDIVIDUAL: IT ALL BEGINS WITH ME 

As Jesus shared a meal with his disciples before his impending crucifixion, he told them that one of them would betray him—very soon.  Alarmed by this disheartening news, each of them began to ask, Lord, is it I?  Recorded in Matthew 22: 26, this simple question offers an important lesson: we must always ask ourselves what we did, or did not do, to contribute to our present circumstances.  In other words, before expecting anything from anyone, we must consider this fundamental truth: maybe it’s me; maybe I’m the problem. 

1 Corinthians 13 (vv. 1-8) eloquently speaks about the preeminence of love.  And as individuals living in times like these, the best that we can do is demonstrate love.  In spite of all that is going on around us, love never fails (v. 8).  Very importantly, love has nothing to do with agreeing with others but everything to do with respecting the dignity and humanity of all people.  In fact, it was love for all people that ultimately led Christ to voluntarily endure the suffering and shame of the cross as atonement for all of our shortcomings and sin.  Even in these difficult days, do we love as Christ would love—unconditionally regardless of social status, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic group membership? 

Additionally, each of us can do something to advance the case for justice.  Regardless of being a member of a marginalized group, we can use aspects of our privilege to advocate for someone else.  Also in 2016, one of the best examples of this was Officer Nakia Jones’ scathing rebuke to her sisters and brothers in blue.  Although she is a Black woman and is subjected to discriminatory practices in a variety of ways, Officer Jones used her influential position as a good cop to rightfully challenge those who were not upholding their sworn oath to serve and to protect.  Brother, sister, you too might be a law enforcement officer.  Are you speaking up and speaking out against the criminalization of Black men?  And to my White brothers and sisters—those who are not victims of racial profiling and other unfair practices—consider these words from Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.:  

Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are. 

I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the Ku Klux Klan but the White moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice.

THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNITY: THE STRENGTH OF COLLECTIVE UNITY 

Through the lens of behavioral psychology, the manner in which Black men are treated in America is a matter of classical and operant conditioning.  The majority culture, in many ways, has constantly associated being Black with things that should be feared and that are inherently bad and inferior.  While headlines refer to White men who’ve used guns to assault others as shooters, Black men are more often described as killers.  Albeit subtle, these and other practices have classically conditioned people, even Black people, to fear Black men through their repeated pairings with violence, crime, drugs, aggression, and intimidation.  Additionally, the lack of appropriate punishment for those (e.g., some members of law enforcement) who commit crimes against Black men has been reinforcing, which enables these violent acts to continue.  Whether intended or not, the absence of an unpleasant consequence communicates that what was done is okay and therefore it happens again, and again, and again. 

As community members, we must harness our collective strength by organizing and prioritizing.  What is important to us, as Black people in our communities?  And, how can we accomplish what we want for our communities?  Although voting in federal elections is important, our local officials—county executives, sheriffs, school board members, district attorneys, and county judges—have significantly more influence over our day-to-day lives.  The current policies that have led to a disproportionate amount of Black men being killed by police cannot be effectively addressed by the federal government alone.  Communities, therefore, must identify injustice and demand change—improved legislation and greater accountability—from their locally elected officials.  Sisters and brothers, let’s commit to becoming more actively involved in local politics. 

Pentecost (Acts 2), an event that forever changed the course of history through the birth of the New Testament Church, was the result of a group of people who were gathered in one place and who shared the same vision.  The place in which we find ourselves calls for unity—not Black unity, but human unity.  Let’s organize our communities and ourselves so that we can experience the collective strength and impact that is only possible by having a singular purpose and goal. 

THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH: THE CENTRALITY OF THE GOSPEL 

A passive approach to Christianity is an indictment on the living and breathing Body of Christ.  Passive Christianity—a belief that God will take care of everything while we pray and have faith in his power to do the impossible—is a convenient and lazy excuse to not do and become all that he requires of us (Matthew 5: 13-16).  For example, the 14th verse of 2 Chronicles 7 is often referenced in the aftermath of national tragedies.  And while it admonishes us to humble ourselves, pray, and seek the face of God, it also says that we must turn from our wicked ways.  In other words, coupled with praying—for justice and for God to change the hearts of people throughout the land—he also expects us to do things differently (James 2: 14-26). 

It would be tremendously insensitive to move on too quickly—of resuming business as usual in our quest to restore normalcy.  While many houses of worship likely referenced the awful events during their initial weekend services, what about now?  Because news stories and social media activity are focused on other things, has The Church, which has been charged with advocating for justice and the least of these, followed suit?  In the same manner that Advent is a season and is celebrated over 4 weeks, we, as a people and a nation, are in a season that cannot be limited to a single week’s cursory acknowledgment.  What, then, should churches do? 

For those of us who boast of our sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit, pastors and church leaders should consider suspending their sermon series, especially if they are not salient to the realities of the current socio-cultural climate.  Because the Holy Spirit is alive and responsive to what we need, at times he will interrupt our best laid plans.  Let’s pray that our church leaders would be both sensitive and courageous enough to hear and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit so that we won’t miss what needs to be said in this pivotal and prophetic moment.  Relatedly, as a former music director, parishioners occasionally asked me about the process of identifying worship service selections.  My response was that the songs sung had very little to do with what I liked or what was in heavy rotation on the radio.  Instead, I would ask the Lord what he wanted to hear.  The One who is touched by our feelings, our emotions, our hurt, and our pain would want to hear songs that encourage those who are afraid and filled with questions.  Although the Gospel is not a fairy tale, it is Good News.  For this reason, more than ever before, The Church must be intentional about giving their congregants the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.  Regardless of all that is happening around us, The Lord of Hosts is with us and the God of Jacob is our refuge (Psalm 46; King James Version). And even though we are pressed on every side by troubles, we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4: 8 & 9). 

As a Black man living in 21st century America, I never imagined that I would be experiencing, firsthand, what is going around me.  These problems should have been solved by now.  These things, reminiscent of the tumultuous and turbulent 1960’s, should not be happening.  But alas, they are and we must find the strength to work towards better. Although difficult, this requires the work of challenging ourselves, first as individuals; working together, with all people, as communities; and the Body of Christ proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel in both word and deed.  Paraphrased from Galatians 6: 9, let’s not get tired of doing what is right; because eventually we will see the results and it will be worth it.  Regardless of how uncomfortable, let’s not abandon this place—this difficult place of suffering.  Let’s not abandon this place of pain.  But let’s work through it, together.  Let’s learn from it, together.  Let’s grow from it, together. 

Walk together children, and don’t get weary.

Nothing just happens.  Yes, some things are beyond our control; but nothing just happens.  Because there is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3: 1), all that we have done, all that we are doing now, and all that we will do in the future fits into God’s purpose and plan for our lives.  Be encouraged.  Our steps have been divinely orchestrated by a loving God who always has our best interest at heart (Psalm 37: 23-24; Jeremiah 29: 11). 

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSPECTIVE 

Perspective—the manner in which we think about our lives and our circumstances—significantly influences how we go through challenging situations.  For this reason, we must align our thoughts with God’s thoughts (1 Corinthians 2: 16).  Regardless of what we are going through, are we viewing things from a God perspective rather than an understandable, yet selfish, human point of view?  While it does not change the reality of going through, it helps to know that there is purpose in going through. 

YOU DID NOTHING WRONG 

One of the most common responses to going through is to immediately ask ourselves: What did I do to deserve this?  While facing various challenges, we assume that we are being punished for our wrongdoing.  This, however, is not always true, especially because God does not do things like we do (Isaiah 55: 8-9) or respond to us based on our shortcomings (Psalm 103: 8-13).  Therefore, going through is not always synonymous with receiving a celestial scolding.  One of the best illustrations of this principle is through the life of Job, a man who did nothing wrong (Job 1: 1, 8) yet he experienced significant hardship (Job 1: 13-19; 2: 7).   

Because going through is not necessarily punitive, we should consider it a privilege when we experience various difficulties because they exist to make us better (James 1: 2-4).  In fact, the mechanism by which the Lord develops our Christian character (i.e., The Fruit of The Spirit; Galatians 5: 22-23) is by allowing us to endure uncomfortable and difficult seasons.  In other words, to grow in kindness, he places us in situations in which we must practice being kind to others.  To become more patient, he gives us opportunities to exercise patience—perhaps through marriage or raising children.  To be more loving, God purposely places us in the company of those who are not easy to love so that we would learn to demonstrate the sacrificial and unconditional love of Christ.  And here’s the best part: God is so committed to developing each aspect of our Christian character that he gives us ample opportunity to grow until we have been fully perfected! 

So the next time you’re going through, rather than assuming you did something wrong (because you probably didn’t), consider the aspect of your Christian character that God is perfecting. 

YOU CAN HANDLE THIS 

Also noteworthy from Job is that God carefully chooses who will go through (Job 1: 8; 2: 3).  And because nothing catches God by surprise, not only does he choose who will go through, he also places limits on what we will go through (Job 1: 12; 2: 6).  In other words, because he loves us and knows us, God will never give us more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10: 13). 

So as difficult as it seems today, you will get through this.  Although you feel that you can’t, you’ve felt that way before and you’re still standing.  And not only are you still standing, you’re stronger, wiser, and better than you’ve ever been!  Friends, the next time you’re going through, be encouraged.  Like Job, God has chosen you because you can handle it!   

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU 

John’s account of Jesus traveling from Judea to Galilee (John 4: 3) contains a seemingly insignificant detail in verse 4: He had to go through Samaria on the way.  In other words, although Samaria was not his final destination, he had to go through it to ultimately get to where he was going.  And so it is with us today: the temporary circumstances in which we find ourselves are simply part of the journey to reach our predestined destination.  

Consider this: going through Samaria had less to do with Jesus than who he met while at the well: a Samaritan woman—someone with whom he was not allowed to interact based on Jewish law (vv. 9, 27).  But because Jesus has always been focused on changing people’s lives, he defied tradition and engaged in a meaningful conversation with the woman that changed her life (vv. 7-29).  In light of this, what would have happened if Jesus didn’t go through Samaria?  Well, the woman would have missed a divine encounter with the source of her total fulfillment, rather than the temporary satisfaction that came from physical water and her many failed relationships (vv. 13-18).  So if Jesus didn’t go through Samaria, it wasn’t that he would have missed anything; but the woman—the one who needed him to be in that place at that time—would have missed a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in his presence and receive all that she needed.   

Like the woman needed to meet Jesus as he was going through, there are people who need to meet you as you’re going through.  So rather than complaining about how difficult things may be, change your perspective.  Think about those whom the Lord has purposely placed in your path.  Think about how you can positively impact someone’s life. Because your steps are ordered, know that where you are is exactly where God wants you to be.  Although it’s not your final destination, God has placed you there for a reason; not only for you, but those whom you will encounter as you’re going through.

Life will not always be easy.  Even while enjoying the peace of a personal relationship with Christ, we are fraught with the myriad challenges of the human condition.  For a variety of reasons, it is necessary to focus on a very real, yet less talked about subject within the African American faith community.  Although we have become increasingly open to discussing and effectively addressing the realities of mental illness impacting those in our families, churches and neighborhoods, let’s look closer… 

A CONDITION THAT WE DID NOT CHOOSE 

Having been reared in the African American classical Pentecostal tradition, there seemed to be an unspoken, but sometimes spoken, devaluation of mental illness.  Even more concerning and insensitive was the inappropriate use of scripture to justify these ideas.  For example, because we should be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4: 6; New King James Version), anxiety, therefore, was [subjectively judged to be] “not of God.”  Albeit subtle, this assertion, coupled with God wanting us to have life more abundantly (John 10: 10; King James Version), which was erroneously interpreted as the happy life, inadvertently degraded those experiencing the reality of being Christian, yet living with mental illness.   

As a people who have historically held its faith in high regard, it has been especially challenging to effectively address mental illness within the African American community.  Rather than being encouraged to participate in counseling or therapy with a qualified professional, African Americans have often been admonished to pray about their circumstances.  As a result, many have asked themselves: Can I be saved and depressed?  Can I be saved and have an anxiety disorder?  Can I be saved and live with mental illness? 

Through my personal growth process, I have realized that the answer to these questions is yes.  If Christians can have cancer, diabetes, and hypertension, we can certainly have anxiety, depression, and a host of other mental illnesses. Moreover, while some experience the aforementioned maladies as a consequence of their choices (e.g., poor diet and limited exercise), others were born with these potentially debilitating diseases.  The same holds true for mental illness: many are faced with managing the life-long course of a condition that stems from biological and genetic factors.  And what about those who were victims of various types of abuse and trauma that affected their mental health?  Regardless of what has led to your mental illness, be encouraged because you have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 14) in the image of God (Genesis 1: 27) and nothing—not even mental illness—can separate you from his love (Romans 8: 39). 

SOCIETAL PERCEPTIONS OF WEAKNESS 

Several years ago, I was working with a male high school student who was experiencing significant mental health difficulty.  His father, however, felt strongly that his son’s condition was less serious than it was, and he instead needed to man up.  For an impressionable adolescent who was particularly sensitive to his father’s acceptance and approval, effective treatment necessarily entailed reshaping the father’s perspective on mental health.  Like this youngster, men (and women) who are living with mental illness need to know that they are not weak— a word that is almost always associated with negative connotations—but they’re human. 

Unlike women, men are less likely to verbalize their feelings.  Coupled with the fallacious thinking that mental illness is synonymous with, or even caused by weakness, this helps to explain why men don’t always seek the professional care that they need. For these reasons, it is incumbent upon churches and communities to create safe spaces in which men can express their innermost emotions.  In the same manner that schools are often the point of access for a variety of services for children and families, it is more than appropriate for religious institutions to adopt a full service model and provide the much-needed supports to meet the spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and mental health needs of its parishioners and surrounding community.   

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT  

Why me?  Is God punishing me?  Is my mental illness a consequence of sin?  Why was I made this way?  Why did God allow this to happen to me?  Why doesn’t God take this away from me?  For African American Christians living with mental illness, these are likely some of their most pressing questions.  While I don’t have all of the answers to these questions, I find comfort and strength in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10. 

Written by the Apostle Paul, these verses juxtapose humanity with spiritual maturity.  Although we do not know (and ultimately it’s not important) the specifics of Paul’s thorn in the flesh, we can be sure that it was inconvenient. Uncomfortable.  Painful.  It was a distraction designed to discourage Paul from fulfilling his purpose; and although he prayed, and prayed, and prayed for the Lord to remove this nuisance from him, the answer was no.  But more importantly, the Lord’s response also included what He would do instead.  Although I am not going to remove this difficult and seemingly impossible situation from you, my grace is sufficient—it’s enough—for you.  Although you want this terrible thing to be taken away from you, what you really need is my grace—supernatural strength to endure.  

Friends, have you considered that your mental illness could be your thorn in the flesh—something that the Lord will not remove, but whose grace is strong enough to sustain you?  Like Paul, God doesn’t always take away our inconveniences because he is developing our Christian character (Galatians 5: 22-23).  And as we are accomplishing great things for God, the thorn in the flesh reminds us that he is the one who chose us: not because we are perfect, but because he can use anyone because he is perfect.