The Fellowship Podcast

Being a part of the God’s family means that we are seen, known, and accepted. When we feel unseen, unheard, or separated, the love of God draws us in and reminds us that we are his beloved children.

Mental Illness is not weakness or simply sin.

Stigmatization happens when we send the message that strong people do not have mental health issues.  This stigma is particularly present in African American communities.  Those struggling with their mental health are deeply harmed when someone reinforces a lie they already fear is true—that their struggle is their own fault due to their weakness.  But Jesus told the truth when he told the blind man that his condition was his fault (Jn 9).  Mental illness doesn’t equate to weakness.”

It’s easier for people to see the impact of COVID-19 on our bodies than its impact of our brain. But the fact is brain health is brain health—it’s all rooted in the physical chemistry of our fearfully and wonderfully made brain. We reinforce stigmas when we view mental illness as less than physical illness, as if it’s something we should simply think or feel our way out of. We would never tell a person living with brain cancer to “just get over it.” Why should mental illness be different?

The effect of original sin on our world and bodies is evident—including our mental health. For some, God grants a measure of healing to the effects of sin on our bodies. But for others—even the Apostle Paul—a fleshly “thorn” went without healing despite multiple appeals. We don’t know what Paul’s thorn was, but today many live with the thorn of mental illness. A mentally healthy church makes room for people suffering from a mental illness to be loved, supported, and belong in a way that promotes their health and well being—even if the thorn remains.

Sin separates and alienates. But God reconciles our sin; welcoming us to come back home. The welcome is waiting, but are we willing?

Many believe the Bible is man-made, full of contradictions, and while it may be a good in some respects, it cannot be believed and relied upon as the Word of God. But faithful men and women for generations have believed and lived otherwise. There is credible evidence to explain the Bible, even though one thing is not easily explained—it’s power to change lives.

The wisdom of our day says all paths can lead to God, if only you are sincere in your beliefs and anything that seems exclusive is wrong. But in fact, Jesus and his resurrection are uniquely exclusive claims that are also profoundly inclusive. Religion is man’s attempt to get to God. Christianity is God’s attempt to get to man.