An open letter to the church about what no one wants to talk about

To the Church* and followers of Christ everywhere,

I am writing you today as one of your own. I have been apart of you my entire life. I have laughed with you. I have worshiped with you. I have cried with you and I have grown up with you. I am writing you today out of love and not anger. Please read with an open heart and mind.

We have a serious problem that few of us want to address. Collectively, we tend to ignore this issue or minimize it so we can continue being comfortable. Today, out of love, I want to address the issue of mental illness, and how we the church, must respond.

Mental illness is real. One in five adults in the Unites States suffer from some type of mental illness. One in every twenty five adults in the Unites States experience severe mental illness that substantially affects their normal lives. (according to NAMI) What does this mean? Well, it means that unless you never leave your home, you know someone, come into contact with someone, or are someone that suffers from some kind of mental illness. It is real.

This is not a sin issue or a lack of faith issue. These are real medical issues just like cancer or diabetes. Just like other illnesses, mental health issues are real physiological problems in the body. I understand that can be difficult for some of us to comprehend, but we need to change our mindset.

We are called to love. Love God, and love people.Nowhere in the bible does it give us a pass to leave anyone out of that equation. We are called to be compassionate and authentic.

Church, I must urge us all collectively to wake up to these issues.We cannot be silent anymore. We must learn to unconditionally those among us who suffer from these issues. Here are four non-negotiables that we as the church must adopt.

First, we must stop hiding mental illness in the church. We must acknowledge that real people suffer from real disease. Just like any other sickness, we must not assume it is not real. Even though we (collectively) may not understand it, we must stop making this subject so taboo. It is okay to talk about, just like other illnesses.

Second, church should be a safe place. Anyone who joins our family or just stops by should feel welcomed and loved. They should not be afraid of rejection and judgement. Jesus died for everyone...not just people we are comfortable with. God doesn’t look at our weaknesses or shortcomings. We must look at everyone as a child of God.

Third, we should not be afraid of medication. Prayer is the most vital weapon we have with any illness. Sometimes, even while praying for recovery, people need medication to counteract the physiological effects of their illness. Just like high blood pressure medication or cold medicine. God does heal in miraculous ways. But, let us also thank and glorify God for doctors and medications that can help people live a more balanced life. Let us celebrate how God provides and is faithful to his people.

Lastly, we must end the shame of mental illness. It is time we stop shaming those who suffer. It is time we stop laying guilt on those who are different from us. It is time we stop blaming those who take medication to help them survive and thrive.

Church, let us truly love one another as Christ loved us. Love God, Love people. There is no “but” or “except them” in that statement. Love God, Love people.

Jesus wins,

kourt

Romans 12:9-10

Do not just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus replied, “you must love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all your soul, and all of your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: “love your neighbor as yourself.”

(*by church, I am not talking about one particular group of people or any building. I am referring to the global body of believers we as Christ followers belong to.)