“How Are You Doing?”
GREETINGS FROM THE TEMPLE …
“How Are You Doing?”
How Are you? We may hear this question daily, in this form or another (meaning the same). We mostly give a generic answer to this generic question. “I’m fine, thank you! How are you?” Then we go about our daily lives, never giving a second thought to whether the person answering with a “Fine, thank you!” is really doing just that. Are they really doing fine? If not, why then did they say so?
My generation and culture were taught to acknowledge everyone with a “Hello – how are you?”. This was respect. This is what we do. Now, lets get real. When you ask this question of someone, do you really expect them to tell you exactly how they are doing? (No, not really because we expect or want everyone to be doing just fine.) Why? Because we have the mind-set (which was driven into us at an early age) “What goes on in this house, stays in this house. Don’t put our business in the street.” “Yes, Maam!” The mold was set!
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” – Hebrews 4:13 (NIV).
Mental health. We will prioritize our physical health while neglecting our mental health. We may eat the right foods, and get plenty of exercise, but we make the mistake of thinking physically fit means mentally fit. Again, a generational and cultural attitude. An aunt or uncle who exhibited mental illness was not helped. Instead, they were subjugated to being different and their mental deteriorations were excused.
Façade. We smile – say all the right words – sing – dance (get jiggy with it) but this is just a façade. We are hurting inside. We are dealing with long suppressed issues that will surface from time to time. These issues won’t go away on their own. We are a human time bomb – ready to be ignited – ready to explode. We are hanging on the edge of a cliff – waiting for that strong wind – waiting to be pushed. In all actuality, we are waiting to be rescued. When that human time bomb moment or that cliff hanging moment comes, we may act in a manner that is inappropriate to our norm. We may act out in a way that surprises our family, friends, relatives, co-workers.
A cry for help. My mental break is a cry for help. “Help me!” Now is not the time to punish – condemn – discipline – oppress – or blacklist me. I need help! My mental stability depends on it. Believers, we know Who our Healer is. We know Who we can count on. God – the Word – our Counselor – our Comforter – our Provider – our Advocator. We know that He will make us whole again. But what about the non-believers? Disciples, we have work to do!
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses.” – Hebrews 4:15 (NIV).
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Solomon Temple Ministries International – Blogger – Othella Hill-Jordan