“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NKJV)
On May 1, 2020, The Midwest Teacher’s Conference Workshop of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. focused on the month of May being designated as Mental Health Awareness Month. Attendees were encouraged to change the way we refer to Mental Disease; to move from Mental Illness to Mental Wellness.
From my view, most of us can benefit from discussions on mental wellness without any stigma being attached. A few of the tips shared at the workshop can be helpful. By permission, I am sharing the with you ten of the many tips that were shared at the conference workshop identified above. (1) Be mindful of you – who you are and where you are, Most falls take place when a person is not mindful of their location. (2) Practice joy! Write 24 things that bring you joy. If it is not on the list, don’t do it. (Writer’s note: If it is sin that brings you joy – don’t do it.) (3) Wellness starts in your mind, Think positive! (4) Identify what’s filling your bucket and what is draining your bucket. (5) Practice the Power of 10. Start the day with ten minutes of devotion, 10 minutes of Bible, and 10 minutes of meditation! (6) Immediately exit conversations with culturally offensive language. (7) Do not carry any negativity more than 24 hours, then say something or do something to remove it from your spirit. (8) Realize there is power in the word “no.” Don’t overextend yourself. (9) Share your joy with others. (10) Keep the main thing the main thing.
Think on the tips provided by the sorority, and add to your thinking what I have to say about “keep the main thing, the main thing.” I loved “Practice the Power of 10.” In fact I was intrigued by them all! But my favorite one on the list above was “keep the main thing the main thing.” Why? Because the main thing to me, for mental wellness, is the Lord. The verse above in the New King James Version says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Place emphases on “always” and “in the Lord.” The Amplified Bible says it this way, “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice!” Once again, I implore you to place emphases on “always” and “in the Lord.” Now the Apostle Paul had more advice in Philippians 4 that we can benefit from to help our mental wellness; more than what is in the fourth verse. And what He says, as with the sorority’s list, it is not just for one special month. It’s for all times. Inserting a list from Paul in this paragraph would help, but rather than me give you another list to become part of your “Power of 10” meditation, let me share what else Paul says in our closing verses. Make reading these scriptures a part of your devotion, a part of your Bible focus, and ponder on them as part of your meditation. Take it all in! Be blessed!
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:5-8 KJV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King