Mental Illness and the Light of Jesus
By Sharon Betters
Today’s Treasure
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Dear Friends,
I am so eager to introduce you to Jenni Holder. Our mutual friend, Sue Tell (another Daily Treasure Guest Writer), introduced us and I am forever grateful. Jenni and I have never physically met but after our first conversation, I knew she had unknowingly planted herself in my heart. After Jenni generously shared her story on the Help & Hope podcast and I learned she is a writer, I invited her to contribute to Daily Treasure. Jenni did not hesitate to accept the opportunity to help others walk by faith, especially when the days are long and hard.
Jenni and her beloved husband agree it is important for them to invite others to join them on their journey as her husband is battling mental illness. There have been occasions after recording stories with our guests, that I won’t invite them to make this podcast public, just yet, because it is clear to me they just aren’t ready, even though they are willing. I share with them that once the podcast drops, there is no going back.
Jenni is living her story. There is no end in sight and because of the stigma attached to mental illness, I asked her several times, if her husband was willing to expose his struggles along with hers. She immediately answered yes because just as they needed someone further along in this journey to come alongside of them with help and hope, Jenni and her husband agreed they needed to share their story as they are experiencing it so that others on similar pathways will know they are not alone and there is hope. Be sure to listen to this Help & Hope podcast: Mental Illness and Marriage with Jennifer Holder
In one of Jenni’s devotionals, “The Manna Life – ENOUGH”, she writes:
“The rules around manna were simple: each morning, gather what you need for the day and eat it. On the sixth day, gather twice as much to honor the Sabbath rest. Easy enough, but the trauma these Israelites had endured meant that they needed a gentle and consistent environment to be able to test out their new way of relating to God. And test it they did.
Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.
Exodus 16:18
When they didn’t collect enough, somehow, it was enough. When they over-collected, it was still just enough. It was always “only enough, but fully enough.” This practice of enough fed more than their stomachs; it fed their trust in God. Every single day was a new opportunity to choose to trust God, a clean slate every time they stepped outside to collect their food. What a gracious Father.”
I believe your heart will be touched with God’s mercy and grace as Jenni walks with us this week.
Be sure to invite your friends to walk with us, too.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
The light entered the darkness and the darkness could not overcome it. John 1:5. Would you pray right now for the Lord to show you one person who needs to feel the warmth and light of Jesus today? Ask Him for one practical way you can encourage him or her in a way that helps turn hearts toward Jesus. I remember a friend touching my shoulder at a family event, her way of communicating, I share your pain – there is one empty chair. Or the one who whispered, “I miss him, too.” Friends, their words pierced the darkness of my soul and their actions reminded me, Jesus is with you, He is holding you tightly in His grip. You, friend, can be the conduit of the light of Jesus today – to one person at a time. To learn more about biblical encouragement, check out my book, Treasures of Encouragement, and visit treasuresofencouragement.org.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.