Final Thoughts-Stories of Mental Health in the Bible
Final Thoughts
There are three answers God gives to our prayers: yes, no, and not yet. In Paul’s case, he often asked God to relieve him of the thorn in his side. While we don’t know if this was a literal, physical thorn or a metaphor for a mental affliction, we see clearly that God’s response to Paul was “Not yet.”
Maybe you can relate to Paul’s frustration. You’ve asked God time and time again to take away your pain, but it seems like he’s ignoring you. Consider the fact that God’s response to Paul might be the same one he’s giving you.
When we’re going through something difficult, we all want immediate relief. No one likes to feel helpless or powerless in their situation. But sometimes, in place of instant healing, God wants to remind us that his grace is all we need. Our weakness can make us bitter and resentful of God, or it can draw our attention back to his power. When we are weak, God is strong!
“In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me? I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours. For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart — not that you should be hurt, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you. If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree — not to exaggerate — to all of you. The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for that person. As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I do too. For what I have forgiven — if I have forgiven anything — it is for you in the presence of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 2:1-10 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/2co.2.1-10.HCSB
There are three answers God gives to our prayers: yes, no, and not yet. In Paul’s case, he often asked God to relieve him of the thorn in his side. While we don’t know if this was a literal, physical thorn or a metaphor for a mental affliction, we see clearly that God’s response to Paul was “Not yet.”
Maybe you can relate to Paul’s frustration. You’ve asked God time and time again to take away your pain, but it seems like he’s ignoring you. Consider the fact that God’s response to Paul might be the same one he’s giving you.
When we’re going through something difficult, we all want immediate relief. No one likes to feel helpless or powerless in their situation. But sometimes, in place of instant healing, God wants to remind us that his grace is all we need. Our weakness can make us bitter and resentful of God, or it can draw our attention back to his power. When we are weak, God is strong!
“In fact, I made up my mind about this: I would not come to you on another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, then who will cheer me other than the one being hurt by me? I wrote this very thing so that when I came I wouldn’t have pain from those who ought to give me joy, because I am confident about all of you that my joy will also be yours. For I wrote to you with many tears out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart — not that you should be hurt, but that you should know the abundant love I have for you. If anyone has caused pain, he has caused pain not so much to me but to some degree — not to exaggerate — to all of you. The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for that person. As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. I wrote for this purpose: to test your character to see if you are obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I do too. For what I have forgiven — if I have forgiven anything — it is for you in the presence of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 2:1-10 HCSB
https://bible.com/bible/72/2co.2.1-10.HCSB