How do we bear one another's burdens?

You know something?   It's hard to get used to another churches way of doing things.  The church we are going to for the rest of January doesn't write down things like scripture passages, sermon titles or music used.   Makes it MUCH harder for me to take good notes.   I know that I missed a couple of songs this morning, but it is what it is eh?   And I made up a title based on the short message presented.

Hymns/Songs: 

Precious Lord take my hand
My eyes are dry by Keith Green
Set my spirit free by Charlotte Baker
Lord I need you by Matt Maher
Follow you by Ed Cash

Scripture: Psalm 31, Romans 12:9-13, Galatians 6

Text Romans 12
⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 

Sermon Notes:

Our focus this week is on mental health.  We are called to learn and grow.
How do we care for those with mental illness in the church.

How do we bear one another's burdens?   Galatians 6
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ² Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. ⁵ For each will have to bear his own load.

We need a Holistic approach,  moving toward the person instead of stepping away.

Why do we step away?
. Fear
. Not knowing how to help
. Seeing others as able to help better ie counselors

Romans 12:9-16
Cling to what is good,
Be devoted to one another
Walk with them
Be joyful in hope
Be hopeful for their recovery and let them know it's not the whole story
What does it look like to welcome the mentally into our hi,especially,  or even going into their homes
Be a blessing to them.
Show them how they are a blessing to you.

You might need to ask people with mental illness how you can help them, what support do they need?

THE REST OF THE SERVICE was taken up talking with health care professions, and having people with mental illness tell their stories and what has been most beneficial to them in getting better.   My notes are included as they may prove helpful.


Holistic care...what does it look like?
People used to treat just the physical and the mental either together or separate, the spiritual was ignored.  More and more the integration is seen as not only as helpful but necessary

Describe what a helpful community looks like
. A lot of advocacy needed, different agencies working together,
. Acceptance

What are unintentionally hurtful ways
. Giving pat answers
    . Instead we should listen with all your skill instead of listening to give an answer
. Forgetting the person and only seeing their illness.
. Giving unsolicited advice
. Trying to fix the person
. Minimizing their pain
. Prayer as a way of stopping the conversation
.
What we should do
. Walk with the person not ahead of them
. Listen with all your skill
. Take in a mental first aid course (like physical first aid)
. Know when you are in over your head
. Let the person do for themselves what they are able
. Show mercy and God's grace

Sabine's story
Has schizophrenia
As a youth had a good life
Then at age 19 three people died who where Important to her
Age 20 was hospitalized....psychosis
Age 30 hears voices, telling her how to kill herself and others
World shattered,
Eventually learned how to share it with others
Her world opened up

Suggestion:  to pray for those with mental illness
: to say hi and ask how are you doing as isolation is a big concern for the mentally ill

Sara
Chemically induced depression....as in the chemicals in her brain don't work together correctly
Clinical anxiety, seasonal affect time disorder

Stress is a trigger

What helps
. Knowing she is not alone, having a mentor
. Doesn't need people feeling sorry for her
. A good listening ear
. Ask how you can help
. If you don't have time to listen then don't ask
. People she can trust
. Be understanding of the struggles.

Damaging
. People saying snap out of it
. Anxiety is stupid get past it
. Not understanding good weeks/bad weeks