For Those Stressful Moments When You Want to Shout, 'Hello, Ice Cream!'
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You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You. – Isaiah 26:3
Today, my anxiety has been at an all-time high. The kind of anxiety that has me avoiding every text and missed call like the plague. If you’re like me, anxiety eats at the core of your heart, leaving you nothing but a high dump of worry. Peace feels distant. Joy is in the corner, snickering at you like the fool that you are. So what do you do?
Sometimes, I’m tempted to grab a big spoon, bowl, and “hello” ice cream. You and I both know that ice cream just adds more pounds and does nothing to solve the turmoil that keeps us awake at all hours of the night. Ice cream, Netflix, Instagram, and crying into a pillow (because it’s just been that kind of day) are only temporary solutions to soothing our worries and easing our minds. The truth is, so many of us fight battles that tear at our mental health. Turn on the news, talk to a neighbor, or scroll through Instagram, and immediately our hearts are faced with everything from global issues to civil unrest. It can be so challenging to turn it off, but this is what our hearts and minds long for - to get away from it all and feel a sense of calm and security. Mental health is a broad and complex topic, but what and who we think about can significantly impact our minds and hearts.
In Isaiah 26, the Prophet Isaiah foretells a future time of the Messiah's reign over Israel, a period marked by rejoicing and singing, yet a far cry from Israel’s current situation. However, in verse 3, the Prophet challenges the people of Israel that perfect peace is given to the one who keeps their mind stayed on God. It’s so easy for our minds to wander and to worry. With so many things and people fighting for our attention, our minds are constantly flooded and drained, causing mental exhaustion. Yet Scripture extends a better way - keeping our minds on God. This is how we rid ourselves of the chaotic turmoil, mental exhaustion, and swirling thoughts. We focus on God, and in exchange, we are given not just peace but perfect peace.
Friend, your mental health matters. But just like everything in life, it all starts and ends with Jesus. Turn to Him. When your mind is running a million miles an hour and you're tossing and turning at night because you can’t seem to sleep, instead of counting sheep or scrolling on Instagram, think about Jesus. He will bring peace to your mind and heart, just as He promised.
Questions for Reflection:
1. When you are completely stressed out, what is your go to? Food, social media, streaming video?
2. Have you ever considered spending time in the Word of God when feeling the pressures of your day? How about prayer? What is holding you back?
