Daily Acts

A few nights ago, the Swallow's family was discussing about mental health over dinner. The topic came up because on two occasions that very same day, the family had heard quarrels erupt from their neighbours (staying in a heartland flat, that could be from any direction).

One of the young ones raised the possibility of a higher occurrence of mental or emotional breakdowns during this period of isolation and stay-home. The rest of the family was in full agreement. The same young one thought of Philippians 4:8.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

Good advice? Definitely, because it is from God's Word!

The other young one quipped, "Easy for someone who has no mental health issues".

The Swallow used the example of playing ping-pong (her favourite sport) to 'reject negative thoughts'. Like the sport, if you practice, over time you will get better. Giving it some thought, the other young one then said she preferred the example of throwing a shot-put instead as 'the negative thought would not be given a chance to come back, unless you went to pick it up'!

Regardless of the example used, the Swallow admits submitting to God's advice in Philippians 4:8 was not easy to do. Not in her own strength, thus the struggles she had faced all those years. But!!!


But when her desire was to put Him first, He helped her to do so - step-by-step, one day at a time.

The first step was having an attitude of remembering Jesus daily. It took effort because life threw the Swallow many distractions. So while doing household chores, she played worship songs which she could sing along to and instead of battling unwise thoughts all by herself, she meditated on the Lord's faithfulness while singing.

The next step was being committed to resting in Jesus daily. This took effort too because she liked being in control. Being a stay-home mother, when she was told her young ones were 'not up to standard' or something to that effect, she felt she was the one not up to standard. And when these words came from different people or in different forms, intended or unintended, she was overwhelmed and felt very out-of-control. How do you get through this? She took time off, and she took it to spend alone time with Jesus. Pockets here, 10 minutes there...when the young ones were napping or when her mate brought them out for some father-child bonding time...and shut her eyes to the never-ending household chores calling out to her. She rested physically but most importantly, she rested in Jesus. She committed her cares to Him, appealing to His steadfast love to help her young ones grow in spite of not seeing the fruits of her labour (yet!), and giving the control over to Him. Was He not her Sovereign Lord? Was He not her faithful Heavenly Father? Was He not her gentle Shepherd? Was her desire truly to glorify and honour Him? Or was it to feed her pride? And when she gave the control over to Him, she found rest. He restored her soul. Not once, but many times over. He never gave up on her.

The third step was maintaining a good testimony of rejoicing in her loving Lord and Saviour always - before her mate, her young ones, her friends and family. Having a smile on her face, often, helps but to be able to truly smile? That can only come when the joy of the Lord is her strength! And when she is truly grateful.

The final step was continue to submit to the Lord's authority in her life and service - His will, His ways, His time, His results - and be willing to redefine her world in seasons of change, trusting and obeying regardless...or almost regardless...or sometimes regardless?! This is still a work-in-progress. Two steps forward, one step back.

Actually, all the steps are and will continue to be works-in-progress as long as the Swallow is on this earth. But her goal is spending eternity with her Heavenly Father and until that day comes, she will (with the Lord's help) strive to do these daily acts:

A - (having an) Attitude of remembering Jesus,
C - (being) Committed to rest in Jesus,
T - (maintaining her) Testimony of rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ always, and
S - (continue to) Submit to the Lord's authority in life and service.