Dr. Karl Menninger, the famous American psychiatrist, once gave a lecture on

mental health. A person from the audience asked, “What would you advise someone to do if that person felt a nervous breakdown coming on?” Everyone there expected him to answer, “Consult a psychiatrist.” To their astonishment he replied: “Leave your house, go across the railroad tracks, find someone who is in need, and do something to help that person.”

While Menninger is very insightful, I believe he only offers part the solution to loneliness. From a Christian perspective the critical issue is our motivation for “helping.” If we are helping another because it might help us, ultimately we will only set ourselves up for more disillusionment. However, if our motivation comes mainly from a genuine desire to serve others – then we are on the road to healing and recovery. The focus must be on the joy of serving others, even if we are rejected, taken for granted, misunderstood or ignored. This is having a God consciousness. We are helping others because it brings glory to God. Our motivation then, generated by the burning heart of God, is to make the world a better place. The spin off for ourselves is that we are not further traumatised when others do not reciprocate our love and care; but most of all God redeems and heals those who are concretely involved in Jesus’ mission of suffering service to humanity. Jesus of Nazareth promised his disciples: ‘. and those who lose their lives for my sake will find it.’

God Bless

KIM THODAY

Related Reading: