Responding

God's power is present when we struggle, and He invites us to bring our burdens to Him, realizing that in our own humanity, we are weak compared to His mighty power. Psalm 34 states:
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Life can be difficult, and there can be discouragement, even despair, along the way.  The pain of past experiences can weigh us down, and the reminder of our inadequacies can cloud our thinking.  We need the power of Almighty God and the truth of His Word to help clear our minds and to empower us from within, so that we can overcome such forces as fear, anxiety, or desperation.  He offers solutions to us, and we can be reminded that He loves us, He is near to us, and wants to walk with us in our struggles.

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When strongholds take root in our minds, we can hold on to the one who is strong in our weakness.
2nd Corinthians 10 reminds us:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...

The 18th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks has come and gone, and you have to admit that the events of that day have changed the world in so many ways - with regard to the heightened awareness of radical Islam, to bold new security measures, and...as a new memorial at the 9-11 site in New York City reminds us, the ongoing health challenges that people have encountered.

NBC New York reports:

...there has been growing awareness in recent years of the suffering of another group of people tied to the tragedy: firefighters, police and others who died or fell ill after exposure to the wreckage and the toxins unleashed in it.

While research continues into whether those illnesses are tied to 9/11 toxins, a victims compensation fund for people with potentially Sept. 11-related health problems has awarded more than $5.5 billion so far. Over 51,000 people have applied.

The story adds, "The sick gained new recognition this year at the memorial plaza at ground zero, where the new 9/11 Memorial Glade was dedicated this spring.

The tribute features six large stacks of granite inlaid with salvaged trade center steel, with a dedication 'to those whose actions in our time of need led to their injury, sickness, and death.' No one is named specifically."

This reminds us that there have been lasting physical effects of the events of 9-11.  But I would contend that there have been emotional effects, as well.  A Harris Poll article published last year stated:

Nearly two decades later, thousands of first responders are still battling the consequences of their rescue efforts that fateful day with health conditions such as respiratory complications, various types of cancer and mental health problems. Earlier this year, the American Heart Association released a study that tied PTSD to heart attacks and strokes in civilian 9/11 responders.

The article goes on to say:

Considering the nature of their job, it is not surprising that in a recent Harris Poll survey with the University of Phoenix nearly all first responders (93%) agree that mental health is as important as physical health and more than eight in 10 (83%) believe that people who receive counseling generally get better.

But, according to the article, there is still a stigmatization about getting "help for mental health issues." For instance: 47% of those surveyed say there will be repercussions on the job for seeking professional counseling."

For instance:

• 53% say will be treated differently by coworkers
• 52% think they will see a difference from supervisors
• 46% say they will be "perceived as weak" by their fellow workers.

But, the good news is that around two-thirds of those surveyed "have either sought or considered professional counseling." 82% say they would be more likely to get counseling if a "team leader spoke about their own experience." 89% would "be encouraged to seek help for themselves if a close colleague, friend or family member spoke up."

Dr. Samantha Dutton, program director for University of Phoenix College of Humanities and Sciences, is quoted in the article; she said, "...if mental health issues are not addressed, they can affect job performance, family life and even physical health. Often it just takes one trusted person speaking up to change perceptions."

Bottom line from this survey data: Get help. Even professional help, with someone who is trained to provide counsel. The mind is an incredible gift of God, but it is certainly a battlefield.  And, when someone is struggling with depression or even mental illness, that is not a time to run away from God or from the Church - it is a time to press in to God.  Many throughout the years have sought to de-stigmatized mental illness - and issues of the mind should not be ignored.  And, whenever possible, it's important to seek Christ-centered help.

We do recognize that our lives today reflect past experience.  And, the enemy of our souls will attempt to write the story of our future by holding us captive to the failures of our past.  We have to realize that God wants to craft a new story, a story of hope and the evidence of His hand.

Day by day, we can hold on to the promise of the renewed mind.  2nd Corinthians teaches us that the enemy would build strongholds - errant thinking can lead to destructive action.  And, we realize there are proclivities that may be physical, perhaps chemical in nature, and we can remember to rely on God's strength, realizing that when we are weak, He is strong.