There’s an old saying ‘Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.’ It strikes me wisdom lies at the heart of Jesus’ teaching about caring for others. After all, we don’t need knowledge to understand that we should focus on something beyond material issues of wealth, power and possessions, and concentrate on what really matters. I write this in recognition that October was Black History Month, and I know so little about it, to my shame I might add. For instance, have you heard of Walter Tull (1888-1918). A highly decorated black soldier whose gallantry was for decades ignored by British history. It isn’t really hard to draw conclusions as to why that was the case.
It led me to wonder how many other things we ignore, or brush under the carpet. These musings led inevitably I suppose to recollections of the time I spent as chaplain to a mental health hospital, where I stood with staff and residents enjoying conversations and listening to residents singing wonderful songs. Frankly, most people would have been unaware of their illnesses had the event taken place in a village hall. The event coincided with Mental Health Awareness Day, and I found myself wondering how many of us understand mental health. How many of us realise it isn’t simply stress or depression where a couple of days rest may suffice. It’s about people who have become extremely unwell. Like many of us they have families, friends and a variety of qualifications and experiences.
As a society we often shy away from such illnesses, in much the same way the Jews shied away from leprosy. We sweep mental Health under the carpet rather than seek to understand it. Often we demonise rather than engage, forgetting we are all God’s children. After all, He is here for all…not just the physically and mentally well, or those attending church regularly. Proverbs 4 tells us ‘the beginning of wisdom is to get wisdom. No matter what it costs we should seek to understand.’ To seek and understand means engaging with those we do not comprehend, be they suffering with mental health issues such as depression, stress, psychosis or personality disorders. Religion and Science have at least one thing in common. They seek to understand. It’s a good blueprint to live by, for in understanding comes acceptance and reconciliation, and ultimately, wisdom.
When we talk about or confront things that make us uncomfortable we discover something quite remarkable. It really isn’t frightening. Notwithstanding current issues I believe our society has come a long way from the days when ‘different’ was something to be feared…except where mental health is concerned. I suspect it’s because we haven’t fully confronted the reality of such illnesses. Yet over 27% of UK employees have a mental health illness. Each year 1 in 4 of us suffer some form of mental health problem. A fifth of us will have suicidal thoughts. None of us are immune. This time next year it could be any of us, a sobering thought indeed. Jesus never turned his back on any one. Perhaps we need to follow his example, get alongside those suffering such illnesses and seek to heal while promoting greater understanding allowing us wisdom to know his peace in our lives and the lives of those in our communities, whatever illness they suffer from.…
with every blessing…
Rev Paul
