In – Valid Me. Invalid Me.

Ever since the age of about seven I was seen by child psychologists.

When the other kids found out, I was teased about it.

I had my first seizures at roughly seventeen and was introduced to psychiatric hospitals at twenty-one.

Since then I’ve only ever had part-time work, this is a result of being treated with medications which sometimes exhaust me.

I realize I may never fully recover, and to the world, I may always resemble a person with no validity – guess that’s it – INVALID ME! 

Many of you probably know exactly what I mean about invalid status. Wouldn’t it be nice to feel more valued, rather than punching in out like a parking ticket?

There are elements of grieving within mental health.

I am consoled by Jesus who says

‘Blessed are those who mourn
for they shall be comforted’ Matthew 5:4.

Do you realize we’re actually not alone when we grieve as Jesus promised us he would send his Spirit to comfort us and be with us as our ‘present help’?

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever John 14:26. (KJV)

When I grieve what I essentially need is someone who understands me.

This is how I believe we help each other, this is how you can reach out to someone who is grieving as I reach out to you.

We have all traveled on a similar road, all of us are unique stories to tell, but all of us have a personal need to be valued.

Christ said whenever two or three of us gather in His name He is there with us (Matthew 18:20).

He shows that when others mourn it is important for us to weep with those who weep as well as to feel joy with those who are joyful (Romans 12:15).

Not Invalid with Jesus

We help each other when as a community we appropriately comfort those who mourn.

There will be a time when we will no longer grieve, no longer ever be slurred with the thought of being invalid.

Even now Jesus does not look at us as being invalid. He looks at us with eyes of love, compassion, and hope.

As one who joins us on the journey. He gives me my validity.

Is it ok to grieve? Yes.

Is it ok to mourn? Yes.

Is it ok to grieve and mourn alone? No.

People like me need people like you, and people like you need people like me.

Mark Wilde

Photo Credit: Ian Muttoo via Compfight cc