Being mentally ill requires a lot of patience. You have to be patient with your own mind, in the hope that it will eventually get better, and you have to be patient with those trying to treat you. Patience is one of the seven heavenly virtues and important to the Christian faith. When we are ill, […]
Hymn Above All Hymns
August 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
There is one hymn that moves me like no other, one that speaks deeply to me whether I am well or ill, and which provides great comfort to me. That hymn is “Abide With Me” by H F Lyte (1793 – 1847). I love both the words and the music, and I hope you will […]
Before the Ending of the Day
July 26, 2012 by 2 Comments
Before the ending of the day, Creator of the world, we pray, that with thy wonted favour thou wouldst be our guard and keeper now. From all ill dreams defend our eyes, from nightly fears and fantasies; tread underfoot our ghostly foe, that no pollution we may know. O Father, that we ask be done, […]
Holy Suffering?
July 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
There is a long-running theme in Christianity that suffering – whether mental or physical – is in some way good for us. In a way, we identify more closely with Jesus (the Suffering Servant) when we too suffer, and some people suggest there is a transformative power to our suffering. Martin Luther wrote on the […]
My Song is Love Unknown
July 21, 2012 by 1 Comment
My song is love unknown, my Saviour’s love to me, love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. O who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh, and die? He came from his blest throne, salvation to bestow; but men made strange, and none the longed-for Christ would […]
Seeking Relief
July 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
All ye who seek for sure relief in trouble and distress, whatever sorrow vex the mind, or guilt the soul oppress, Jesus, who gave himself for you upon the cross to die, opens to you his sacred heart: O to that heart draw nigh. Ye hear how kindly he invites; ye hear his words so […]
Rest and Our Souls
July 10, 2012 by 10 Comments
Resting, both with sleep and with relaxing while awake, is important for our mental health. Mental ill-health can make us wide-awake when we desperately wish not to be, may be triggered by overwork and a lack of rest, and may lead us to be constantly exhausted. Rest also has a spiritual purpose, rest for our […]
Son, I Beseech You, Don’t Sleep Anymore
July 5, 2012 by 1 Comment
This is one of my favourite prayer-poems, by Michel Quoist in his book “Prayers of Life” “I shall be in agony till the end of time,” God says. I shall be crucified till the end of time. My sons the Christians don’t seem to realize it. I am scourged, buffeted, stretched out, crucified; I die […]
Sin, Truth and Me
May 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I am a sinner. I have done many things wrong in my life. I have sinned against my neighbour and against my God. We are all sinners. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom 3:23) Every last one of us has failed God in some way, […]
Sorrow for Sanity
May 13, 2012 by 1 Comment
When mental illness strikes, we experience loss. We have temporary losses, our health, our “sound mind”, our happiness. We also experience longer-term loss, like the loss of friends, jobs, housing, and the discrimination and stigma we face lead to many losses in our lives. When we are diagnosed with a severe mental health problem, one […]
Believer's Brain 