The Influence from “INSIDE” is More Dominant for Mental Health
Many factors can affect mental health. Influences can come from outside, for example, environmental factors, and can also come from within a person. During the pandemic, people who are less immune will be affected by the virus; on the other hand, some has remained healthy because they have good immune defenses.
It isn’t easy to keep the environment to remain conducive to our health. What we can do is control the factors from the inside carefully, namely by maintaining and increasing the resilience of our body and soul.
Conditions from the “inside”, such as physical, mental, and spiritual health, predominantly affect the quality of mental health. Out of the three, physical health conditions are easily detected. The sick will immediately come to the clinic when his body is not fit. However, If spirituality is disordered, who would know? Surely God certainly knows, but not necessarily for the “stubborn”. What about mental health? In the case of emotional health disorders, one is often unaware, but it is the closest person who suffers.
When stimulants come, people with mental health disorders will react exaggeratedly and disproportionately. Stimulants can be the behavior of others perceived as “violating” their privacy, an uncomfortable environment, or can come from themselves. But people with good mental health can give a more assertive reaction, whatever the trigger is.
Mind health conditions very significantly affect mental health. Like a fire, in addition to oxygen, two essential factors cause it: “fuel” and “fire”. When there is only one of them, it will not cause a fire. Likewise, excellent mental health will remain challenging in whichever situation occurs around it.
Events influence the state of the psyche, particularly emotions in life during the growth period. Events that can be traumatizing are domestic violence, abuse, or very painful events. Sometimes the events have been forgotten, but the impact is often visible.
In recovery, there are 3C’s that need to be done, Comprehend, Confess, Change.
Comprehend. It is necessary to be aware of the problem thoroughly; there is the health of the body, soul, and spirit. It needs clarity on which parts need restoration. Humility and openness will go a long way. The Holy Ghost will guide and expose hidden things in the heart.
Confess. There is no point in being a denialist. Such attitude will only aggravate the situation. People with cholesterol will be worse off if they deny it and are not ready to change their diet. On the contrary, those who are sober and willing to admit will experience improvements. Specific confessions are helpful. Acknowledging which heartache, the person who hurts and when it happens is the first step, not for the effort of revenge, but to accept it sincerely and letting go through forgiveness.
Whoever hides his sin will be unlucky.
Whoever confesses and forsakes it, will be pitied by the LORD.
(Proverbs 28:13 – BIS)
Change. It is an essential step in experiencing life changes. With real intentions, a renewal of mindset and behavior will lead to a brighter and more productive future, although sometimes the surrounding situation remains the same.
The good news is that whatever the emotional wounds are, there is still hope for recovery.
“… By His stripes you have healed”. (1 Peter 2:24)
Source: Ps. Agus Prihardjo (Moral & Mental Health Coordinator – IFGF Global)
