We are seeing an increasingly unstable generation burdened with drastic societal changes. Economic pressure, identity crises, peer pressure, cultural shifts that challenge traditional ideologies, all contribute to mental health problems worldwide.

All the more, we are gravitating towards a culture that idolizes the self. Everything is about oneself pursuing riches, wealth, beauty, popularity, power, and pleasure. While to a certain extent these things can be good, we have been convinced that we need an unrealistic amount of them to feel happy. This is what we call the individualistic mindset. The pursuit of these things may actually be self-defeating as more expectations and desires exposes oneself to more disappointment, worsening our mental health.

So, why do we value these things?

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6: 21)

Have we ever paused and briefly examined our hearts? Matthew 6: 21 tells us that what we value and treasure are a reflection of our hearts. As followers of Christ, we should always challenge our hearts by questioning what we value most. This is a part of denying ourselves.

Now, many take the extreme side and fall into a religious fallacy. We are not called to be poor, incompetent, lazy, insecure, or apathetic. Rather, we are reminded of the purpose and identity of our lives. We are reminded that we are part of a greater Kingdom and Family that lasts for eternity. What great joy is that? That we have something to live for other than ourselves.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6: 31-33)

As we live to prioritize His kingdom and His name in all that we do, His promise is to add, meaning that He positions us in a place of having ‘enough’ to having ‘more’. This is what all unbelievers seek! Fulfillment and contentment through material gains that create psychological safety.

However, we have better than that. We have a Father who knows what we need. How good is that? He tells us not to worry not only because He meets our needs, but more so because we have Him who knows us. It is much better to live for a Kingdom and a Family where we are fully known, than to live in striving to make ourselves known.

If we let this truth sink deep to our hearts, I wonder what breath of fresh air it will bring to our mental health.

Brothers and sisters, in dealing with the pressures of life, remember these things:

1. Our Father knows what we need
2. We are part of a greater Kingdom and Family