You are not crazy

In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). I met a psychologist the other day. She was a middle-aged woman, married and with children of her own. She had only recently received her psychology degree. When asked her thoughts on someone’s mental state in terms of antidepressants, her view was eye-opening. In her professional opinion, the goal of an antidepressant is to have the client reach a consistent state of peace and happiness. They should live at an almost cloud-9-like place. Of course their would be moments of frustration or maybe sadness due to circumstances, but for the most part, a person should feel great 99% of the time. I am of course paraphrasing her words but that was the idea. If a client feels better with a small dosage and even better able to cope with things, but they are not yet fully happy and at peace, the dosage should go up. My spirit immediately felt uneasy. According to this philosophy, I think it would be fair to say that every person on this planet should be taking something. Please hear me, I am not saying there isn’t a place or a need for anti-depressants for some. Loved ones of my own have used anti-depressants for a time and they have been a useful tool. But the idea that you are not normal or stable because you do not live at a constant state of happiness, is frankly, ridiculous! Jesus faced trials and difficulty when on this earth. He says, “you WILL have trouble” and “WHEN you pass through the waters” and “WHEN you walk through the fire.” He does not say you MIGHT have trouble or IF you pass through the waters or IF you walk through the fire. We live in a fallen world, in fallen, broken bodies. There is definitely going to be tough stuff to walk through. There WILL be tears. And that’s OK. You aren’t crazy. Satan (that roaring lion on the prow, looking and searching for you) wants you to feel different, alone, weak, crazy, unstable and without peace. While we are here on this earth, we will struggle every day. No one is perfect on this side of heaven. However, there is hope. The full verse in John 16:33 is: “ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” And in Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Jesus has conquered sin and this world and in Him, we can find peace. We are not alone. It doesn’t mean that we will not experience pain but when we struggle or hurt, He will be with us. It is evident that this world is searching, but it is searching for a paradise that we will only find in heaven with our Savior. You aren’t crazy for struggling and life will never be perfect here on earth. But He can carry you, give you hope, sustain you and give you a peace that transcends all understanding through it all.