The Christian's Mental Health: When it Feels Like Such a Heavy Load

If you have any kind of mental illness, I know that you experience times when it feels like such a heavy load to bear. I've done some thinking about this, and have some insights for you. No, I have no magic bullet to "fix" those over-burdened times, but there are ways to look at them from a Christian perspective. In fact, we have a distinct advantage over non-Christians in this regard. I hope you will read on.

First of all, I get it! I suffer from bipolar disorder. I can identify with you. There are times when I feel absolutely overwhelmed. The load just seems too hard to bear. These times are usually when I am in one of my depressed phases. Living is a struggle. I wish it were otherwise, but it is what it is. In therapy-talk, that's called "radical acceptance," accepting the fact that I cycle between ups and downs. And when I cycle downward, it's not a pleasant place to be.

But although I may practice radical acceptance, I don't stay at the bottom. I practice all the "skills" I have learned over the years to cope with my situation. I have written about these in prior blogs--things like mind-full-ness, safe-space visualization, healthy lifestyle practices (exercise, sleep regimen, etc.) But is there more that we as Christians can bring to bear on our mental-emotional turmoil? Yes, there is! I call it "the easy yoke."

You may have heard people say, "I guess that's just my cross to bear," referring to their struggle with health issues of any kind. But I think that's a misunderstanding. The reference is to Matthew chapter 16, verse 24, where Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." The context is clearly self-abandoning, sacrificial discipleship, following Jesus.

However, although we take up "our" crosses, we are also invited to take up "His" yoke. We find this is Matthew chapter 11, verse 29, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." I believe this yoke to be unique to each Christian's situation. In New Testament times, a yoke was a wooden bar that linked two beasts so they could pull a load or plow as a team. And guess who our yoke-partner is? Jesus. In my brain, this is a game-changer. Yes, a load may be heavy, mental health-wise, but my yoke partner is strong!

I am comforted by two promises in the adjoining verses. First of all, Jesus promises that if we come to Him, he will give us rest (verse 28). So, by taking his yoke upon us, we will "find rest for (our) souls." (verse 29) I can't think of a better thing to experience, when I am down and anxious, than soul-rest. Bring it on, Lord! The other promise is that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. (verse 30) What a revelation! My load may feel like it is overwhelming, but if I get into the easy yoke with Jesus, He can do the "heavy lifting." Amen to that!

So, you and I need to take up our crosses (our basic discipleship), but we are also invited to take up His yoke. Linked with Him, we can move that burden of ours. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. What a relief!

Blessings!

The Christian Bipole