Taking Care of My Mental Health

READ: PSALM 23; PHILIPPIANS 4:4-13

I didn’t care much about mental health until I suffered from insomnia. It was so bad that I couldn’t sleep for many days. I was constantly worrying about my problems. And when I had problems sleeping, I started worrying about not being able to sleep. It was kind of crazy.

By the grace of God, I eventually recovered. I tried to follow what Paul taught us in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I used to think that if I cared about something, I had to do something about it. I realize now that this is not true! I learned it’s important to be humble and accept my limitations. Some things are just beyond my control. So I started to pray and tell God my problems instead. The truth is, the best way to handle my problems is to leave them to God and trust Him. I understand now that worrying about my problems does not help solve them. Only God can help me and give me peace (Philippians 4:7).

Slowly, I slept better. My problems were eventually solved, in God’s timing. I’m thankful for the support and help from my family and friends as I went through this. Looking back, my problems were not that big, more like inconveniences. I know now that God loves me, and He is greater than our problems.

The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that everything is ultimately out of our control, but nothing is out of God’s control. No matter what happens, we don’t need to be afraid, because Jesus died and rose again to bring us near to God. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that nothing will ever be able to separate us from His love (Romans 8:35-39). This is His promise to us. One day Jesus will return and put an end to all our troubles. But until that day, He is with us through everything we face, including insomnia. God “comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:4). And He helps us “to be happy and to do good” (Ecclesiastes 3:12), to enjoy the gifts He has given us and do the good things He calls us to do (Matthew 6:25-34; Ephesians 2:10).

After going through that season of insomnia, I made changes to my lifestyle. I started to take care of my mental health. I’m encouraged by Psalm 23:1-3, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” I realized that when I trust God to be in control, I can relax. It’s important to take a break, forget about our problems, and unwind each day. We can go for a walk and enjoy the sunshine! • Kelly Choy

• Is there anything troubling you today? Consider taking a moment to pray, telling God about what you’re going through, receiving His comfort, and seeking His wisdom. He may show you something you can do to move toward solving your problem, or He may just invite you to rest right now.

• What are some things you like to do that help you relax and enjoy God’s good gifts? How could you take time to do at least one of these things today?

• Have you ever experienced insomnia, or not being able to sleep? Sleep is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Sometimes, we need help in order to give our bodies the sleep we need, and that’s okay. If you have difficulty sleeping, who is a trusted adult you can talk to, such as a parent, counselor, or doctor?

• We all feel worried or anxious from time to time, and God has so much compassion on us. He wants to help us. Sometimes, we experience thoughts and feelings that are too much for us to handle on our own, even by praying and reading the Bible. But one of the ways God wants to help us is through other people. If you find yourself feeling afraid, stressed, or worried a lot of the time, and you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)