WEDNESDAY'S WORD - SANITY - Sadell Bradley 04/08/2020

"I maintain my sanity by keeping my distance." -Luis Miguel -Mexican Musician   After several weeks of quarantine and negative news and social media, even the most stable of us are checking our SANITY - sound mental health; the ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner. For some, weeks in the house with your family might seem to be driving you INSANE - a state of mind that prevents normal perception, behavior, or social interaction; a state of extreme annoyance or distraction. We're even seeing insane actions and policies that are extremely foolish, irrational and illogical.   Insanity comes from anxiety, while sanity corresponds with the absence of fear. In 1 Samuel 21, David is fleeing from his father-in-law Saul, who is trying to kill him. He runs to Ahimelech the priest and asks for bread. He gives Him the The Bread of God's Presence out of the Tabernacle. He also gives him the sword of Goliath, the Philistine whom David defeated as a young man. David then flees to the city of Gad and encounters king Achish and his officers who are threatened by David because of his notable exploits in war. The officers said, "Isn't this the one about whom the people danced and sang, "Saul has killed his thousands, but David has killed ten thousands?" (vs.11) David, afraid of what king Achish might do, pretended to be insane and the king let him go. It's crazy when the person or thing you're afraid of is really afraid of you. You don't realize it, so in your own fear, you act out of character.        Paul told his protege Timothy to stir up the gift of God within him because God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:6-7) He reminded Timothy of the faith that was in him that had been passed to him by his mother and grandmother, and of his commission by the laying on of hands. Paul said it's not time to shrink back! Fan into flame and pursue what God has called you to do. Timidity and cowardice do not come from our LORD. God has given us the spirit of love, a dynamite-like  ability to accomplish His purposes, and SANITY - a sound mind, good mental health, self-discipline, self-control, and good judgment.      Below is a recent interview I did with therapist Pastor Cindy Robertson, MSW, LISW entitled, Keeping Your Mind - preserving your mental health during this crisis. Please view and share with anyone who might need practical ways to decrease stress, foster better relationships with family while being confined, or handle feelings of isolation, anxiety or grief. Blessings to you all!          Keeping Your Mind with Pastor Cindy Robertson, MSW, LISW