Fritz asks (rhetorically),
@Fritz_Admin et.al.
Both “faith” and “mind” are gifts; they are characteristics we may possess but did not earn, magnificent gifts of grace we received by executive fiat. Both are “wonderful” and both are “incomplete”; that is both are currently experiencing the miracle of growth. I am unsure how the idea came about that the reason our bodies suffer some malady is because we have failed to appropriate a sufficient quantity of faith;
This probably derives from a poor understanding of scripture, an erroneously appropriated understanding that tickles our ears and suits our desires. We are told that we failed to arrogate enough of God’s gift of Faith to overcome some malady or deficiency we see in ourselves; we didn’t grab enought of the gift that we didn’t ask for, one that we surely don’t deserve, and yet upon which the wonder and magnificence of our relationship with the omnipotent loving Father of all living resides. This idea I find to be illogical and contra-biblical. Surely, we are His workmanship, bumps, scratches, dents, and all.
The testimony of the grace of God is not that he called the well-deserving into the marriage banquet, but that He scoured the hedges and fence-rows for the infirmed, (Matt. 22:8-10), the weak, the needy, the sufferers of this world, and transformed them into nobility, kings and priests of the realm.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God–and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
God did not look for perfectly whole people with whom He could fellowship. God chose broken people to make whole in eternity as an expression of His grace, for His glory alone. For that revealing, we eagerly wait.
While there are many in this world that possess no faith, I sincerely doubt there is a mortal mind on earth which does not carry some mental deficiency, some weakness in thought-processes that contrasts against their observable strengths. Even some who have the most profound deficiencies also have profound strengths. From all unbiased observances there seems to be no correlation between mental health and faith, or godliness. All believers have their share of each.
The apparent disconnect is that too many well-meaning charlatans, like Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are propagating the error that any malady is the result of too much sin or too little faith. It simply is not the case. Likewise, too few saints are reminding their suffering brothers and sisters to give thanks in all things, especially in your suffering, for this is the will of God for you. Truth-bearing saints are reluctant to quietly suggest “Thanksgiving” as a response to suffering because the loud alternative suggestion of potential healing is so much more desirable to the flesh. Nevertheless, the biblical instruction to suffering is, and always has been, thanksgiving. You can hardly flip open a New Testament page without finding the admonition to thank God somewhere under your finger.
It seems too easy to quickly decontextualize the passage in the book of James that seems to promise healing through the performance of ritualistic observances, but the suggestion that the Elders pray in faith means that they pray in agreement with what God is doing, not demanding He do their will. The context of the entire letter (which begins by admonishing believers to count various trials as joy) is endurance through suffering, not promised relief from it. When we read the entire letter, the verses in 5:15 make much more sense.
James 5:13-16
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:13-16)
The fact that Fritz asked the question “Does Struggling with Mental Health Mean You Lack Faith?” means this philosophy is being promoted in Christian circles as we speak. It is patently untrue. It is incumbent on saints like us, to set straight the true teachings of Jesus, and to encourage one another to contentment, thanksgiving, and joy in The Lord in all circumstances, all the more as we see the day approaching.
Give thanks in all things
KP
