new church life: march/april 2017
to get rid of and as we try to do that we
enter into a state of temptation. There
is a struggle because we’re trying to do
what is good and hell wants to keep us
in that negative state. So we experience
a struggle.
Our experience of it may come in
the form of depression, anxiety, fear
or all kinds of negative emotions. We
don’t even know why, necessarily, but
we experience those types of anguish.
But what’s happening is that we are
being removed from hell and being
brought closer to the state of heaven.
And that is a good thing. Temptations
are a good thing. And often, we are
told, they go to the point of despair, where we just feel like we can’t go or hold
on any further, and then – it stops. It’s lifted. But there’s a difference with some
people. What they experience is that it is not lifted. It doesn’t stop. It doesn’t
seem to end. And they don’t seem to be able to do anything about it.
In Secrets of Heaven we read: “From all this one may see what natural trial
is and what spiritual temptation is.” Then it talks about this third kind: “A third
kind of temptation or trial also exists which is anxiety and depression caused
for the most part by physical or mental infirmity. Such anxiety may involve
some degree of spiritual temptation or it may not involve any at all.”
With those who experience this third kind of temptation they are
experiencing this horrible state and it’s not because of spiritual growth. It’s
just that they are being attacked and they can’t stop it. Part of the truth of that
passage I want to highlight is that there are many people who suffer that way.
It’s beyond temptation. It is not a usual spiritual battle they are suffering from.
It is the result of what we would categorize as a type of mental illness.
You may be close to someone who suffers from a form of mental illness.
Look around you. Yes, most people have someone in their life who is dealing
with that. We’re told about 25% of the population suffers from some kind of
mental illness.
So I think we need more dialogue about this. And today is just a beginning.
I’m not going to say everything that you hoped I would say today and I’m not
going to solve it.
But we need openness around these issues. It’s often taboo to talk about it.
People are hush-hush. If someone was sick or had cancer or a broken arm we
would talk about it and we would invite people to support them. And if it was
Often those who are
suffering with mental
illness and those who
are around them suffer
in silence. So I hope
we can help to bring
this issue into the
open and help with
the healing process.
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