Manage Yourself

Yeshua is Salvation

Stephen picks up right where he left off previously with a quick recap on faith. Jesus tells many of those whom He healed, “your faith has made you whole.” The host explains that our faith must be in something. Jesus is saying that our faith in Him is what brings about our deliverance. The Hebrew name for Jesus is Yeshua, translated literally meaning to save, or to rescue. It only makes sense to put your faith for deliverance in the One whose name identifies Him as the Savior. What is it from which you need saving?

Encumbrance of Sin

We tend to conceal our true feelings, hoping to escape the criticism of others because we’re self-conscious of their judgement on our mental health, or lack thereof. If you’re dealing with overwhelming depression and anxiety, it’s because your soul is being crushed by the substantial weight of sin. Sin spiritually burdens the soul, while physically altering the chemical balance in our brains due to the overactive endorphins released. The encumbrance of sin will likely lead you to a psychiatrist, self-medication, or in the worst of cases, suicidal ideations.

For me, depression started early in my teenage years. I justified self-harm, telling myself that it was easier to feel physical pain rather than emotional. As I approached adulthood, depression followed me, quickly leading me to substance abuse along with behavioral specialist consultations and failed attempts at therapeutic counseling. Despite my endeavors to numb the suffering of my heart, I grew deeper into despondency and further from God. I can recall many occasions where I pleaded with God to not allow my drug of choice to end my life, but to instead release me from the imprisonment of misery.

In Psalm 38:3-4 and Psalm 40:12, King David speaks of the overbearing heaviness of iniquity. You may feel as though you’re sinning just because you’re alive, thinking, and breathing. We’ve made things out to be sin that in fact, are not. For example, you have a disturbing thought, or you feel tempted to do something that you know is wrong. These things are not sin until you act upon them. Yeshua Himself was tempted in the wilderness, provoked by Satan in His thoughts, and yet He was blameless. Put simply, sin is the immoral act against the principles of God. It is to actively miss the mark of what God has commanded you to do. James 4:17 states: “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, it is sin.” You will instinctively know when you’re living contrary to the principles of God, whether you know God or not, based on how stable you feel internally. This is what the host often refers to as “gravity.”

Balance

Feeling unbalanced or off-kilter is not only a result of the weight of sin, but is the evidence that you are not managing your life correctly. If you’re feeling like garbage, it’s probably because you’ve been treating yourself like a garbage can. We have to learn to put dead things in the trash, not in ourselves. We are charged with controlling what we put into our mouths, what we watch on tv or listen to on the radio. We choose what time we will go to bed and when we will wake up. We spend more time mismanaging these things rather than working to improve them for our physical and mental benefit, therefore forming unhealthy habits.

Balancing your life begins with balancing your thoughts. Your thoughts control your life. Proverbs 23:7 summarily says that you are what you think you are. Your thoughts and beliefs are shaping your character and actions. You’re depressed because you’re holding onto the same dreadful idea or thought within yourself. You have more power over your thoughts than you think. Master the art of dismissing negative thoughts within the first five seconds. Stop defeating yourself by speaking the negativity you’re thinking. Proclaim victory over your situation and watch your mood begin to shift.

Gluttony

Stephen encourages us to take the necessary steps to gain and maintain physical and spiritual health. In order to properly manage what we put in our mouth, we must avoid gluttony. Many of us were raised with the “clean your plate” mentality. This mindset originated from scarcity during times of war, famine, and the Great Depression. It has now made its way into the upbringing of the current generation, as if we do not have an abundance of food at our fingertips. Although this perspective is implemented to reduce waste, it has led to overconsumption. There’s an unnecessary guilt that comes along with not finishing your food, as if we do not have means to store it and save it for later. So how do we retrain our brains to stop eating once we’re satiated? Try slowing down, eating more mindfully, and staying in touch with your hunger levels.

Slumber

Overeating is not the only cause for concern in the well-being of our mind and body. Oversleeping can greatly affect the function of your brain, leading to depression. I’ve been at war against slumber for many years. Growing up, I watched as my mother spent many years sleeping her life away. I took on this same pattern as a coping mechanism for depression, not realizing that the more I slept, the more depressed I became. Sleep is similar to eating in the sense that it is essential to survival, however, there is a limit as to how much the body requires to function correctly. Too much, or too little, can be detrimental both mentally and physically.

Idleness

We tend to overeat or oversleep the most when we have nothing else to do. Idleness brings about a slew of damaging emotions. Stephen suggests this is because we were created to be productive. Having nothing to do or no one to care for will leave you feeling useless and without purpose. Even psychologists will tell you, “if you’re depressed, get a job.” This is because having somewhere to be and something to do brings consistency and productivity to your life, overall improving your mood. Productivity and mood are directly related. If you’re in a bad mood, you're less likely to be productive. At the same time, if you choose to be productive despite your disposition, you will feel accomplished, releasing dopamine.

Community

Another way to improve your mental health is by becoming apart of a community. The dangers of isolation are significant. In this day and age, we get our socialization through social media, which isn’t social at all. Stephen suggests that we should see and interact with people multiple times a week. As said in the “Grab the Rope” videos, “Find your tribe and vibe.” Having a group of people that I see in-person and communicate with daily has not only been beneficial to myself, but also to my children. How will our children learn to love and help people if we don't show them? If we don't want to raise recluse children, it's crucial that we not be recluse adults. After all, "it takes a village."

Enemies

In order to maintain healthy relationships in your community, you must avoid making enemies. Proverbs 18:19 tells us the easiest way to make an enemy is by arguing. Offense and unforgiveness destroy relationships. Maybe you've made amends with people but you're your own worst enemy. It's one thing to forgive people, it's another to forgive yourself. As said in Episode 3, let go. Let go of pain, bitterness, resentment, and offense against others, and against yourself. Look for clever opportunities to be a peace-maker.

Something Has to Change

The “something” that has to change in us is how we manage our lives. It's been scientifically proven that a consistent sleep schedule and eating regiment plays a significant role in not only physical success, but also mental stability. The host leaves us with five natural and five spiritual practices to implement. They may seem small, but will majorly impact your physical and mental health. As you begin to make these changes in managing yourself, don't look back. Recognize the beneficial differences you begin to feel within your mind and body. Take note of how much better you feel, and don't relapse.

The recently developed weekly podcast, Contemporary Speaks, is continuing to bring its listeners not only biblical, but practical solutions to their day-to-day issues. The fifth episode of Something Has to Change opens with an inspiring reminder to not give up or lose heart, but to keep pushing forward. The host, Stephen, encourages the audience to remember that victory is possible, no matter how difficult, unbearable, or grueling life may have been for you recently. This episode offers valuable tips for maintaining your natural and spiritual health.

5 Natural Ways to Feel Better:

1. Drink spring water.

2. Get Vitamin D.

3. Do a colon cleanse.

4. Take a 15 minute walk.

5. Eat a salad.

5 Spiritual Ways to Feel Better:

1. Meditate.

2. Repent.

3. Forgive.

4. Be Kind.

5. Take in a positive message.

Want to dive deeper?

Watch the full episode