Checking In: Mental Health and Spirituality
“He always appears so happy and carefree.”
“I bet her relationship with God is so much stronger than mine.”
“She is so much prettier than I am.”
“I feel like I am not enough. I feel as if I am not worthy.”
“Can they see that I am struggling? Hurting? Pretending? Confused? Barely holding on to my faith?”
Regardless of the negative and destructive thoughts that you’ve heard in your head, rest assured you are not alone. Everyone has thought these exact same things; and some are currently experiencing these thoughts and feelings or similar ones.
There appears to be a lot of discussion on the importance of mental health and how much it influences our daily lives, but why? Why is checking in with ourselves and our mental health so important? And how does it affect our relationship with others and with God?
Just like physical health, mental health can be strengthened and conversely, it can be weakened. So much can impact our mental health and inturn, will impact our walk with the Lord. Things such as negative self-talk, comparison, unawareness, avoidance, and others are detrimental to our mental health and spirituality. One of the first steps to combat the feeling of being stuck, alone, hurt, or confused is to practice self-awareness and participate in a self-check-in.
Take a moment to yourself, wherever you may be, to first identify your feelings. Do you feel distracted? Angry? Distant? Anxious? Empty? Optimistic? Grateful? Next, try to analyze the severity of the feeling. Is it strong? Weak? Then, notice where you are feeling it in your body. What is that feeling trying to tell you? Then, what do you need to do in that moment and what small steps can you take to meet your needs?
Maybe processing with a safe and trusted person is what you need.
Perhaps you need to take a moment in solitude to pray or meditate on a passage of Scripture. Maybe you need to identify how you feel and communicate your feelings to someone. Everyone’s journey is different and everyone’s relationship with the Lord is different. Nonetheless, we can all experience similar feelings and thoughts. Actively participating in a self-check-in can impact your relationship with others, your neighbors, your classmates, your coworkers, those you serve, and most importantly, your relationship with Jesus.
Be honest with yourself and with those around you. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it is proof of your strength. Allow yourself to feel without judgement. We may not understand everything or even know why we feel the way we do, but remember that you are only human. However, do not forget that you are a beloved child of God.
RESOURCES:
COMMUNITY/GROUP THERAPY
(for those reading in Grant County, IN) -
Indiana Wesleyan Graduate Counseling Clinic
The Otis R. Bowen Center
Family Service Society Inc.
BOOKS -
Never Good Enough by Monica Ramirez Basco
Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
SOCIAL MEDIA -
Instagram:
@myselflovesupply
@mentalhealthcoalition
@christianmentalhealth
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Jaclyn Witte is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Jaclyn attends College Wesleyan Church and is often volunteering. She is a case manager at Family Service Society Incorporated in Marion, IN. Coming alongside individuals and families involved with DCS and Probation, Jaclyn desires to allow people to feel seen and heard regardless of what they have experienced. With a heart for the hurting and misunderstood, Jaclyn is dedicated to treating all people with kindness and grace.