YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

in Monthly Beacon By Mccu Literature on 01 Jun 2025

I’ve just come through a draining week marked by total anhedonia — the inability to experience pleasure or interest in things that once brought joy. It’s a deeply unsettling state. As someone studying in a field centered on caring for the vulnerable, I find great fulfillment in helping others move from a place of struggle to a state of healing. But the challenge is that, more often than not, we forget to care for ourselves. Or perhaps more truthfully, we don’t always have someone to care for us when things start to fall apart. There's an unspoken expectation that we should be well at all times, almost as if we are the custodians of good health.

Unfortunately, many people still don’t take mental health seriously. When someone gathers the courage to open up, they’re often met with dismissive responses like “be strong” or “man up.” As a result, countless individuals suffer in silence. They keep their burdens to themselves rather than “troubling” others. Sleepless nights filled with racing thoughts become their norm. And sometimes, heartbreakingly, people reach a breaking point and take extreme actions — it’s only then that others notice their pain and begin to show empathy.

But is this how we should live? Should we wait until it's too late to care?

We need to be more vigilant, more attuned to the people around us. Even small changes in mood, behavior, or routine can be signs that someone is struggling. It costs nothing to ask a friend how they’re doing, genuinely, and take the time to listen. The Bible encourages us in Ephesians 4:32 to be kind and compassionate to one another. A listening ear can make a real difference.

Kindness, though, goes beyond words. In James 2:15–16, we’re reminded that faith without action is hollow. Saying “be warm and well fed” means little to someone who’s hungry and in need. Likewise, when someone is struggling mentally or emotionally, our compassion must move us to act — whether that’s offering support with daily tasks, checking in regularly, or simply sitting with them in their pain. Sometimes, just being present is enough to remind someone that they’re not alone.

Prayer, too, is powerful. The Bible tells us in James 5:16 that the fervent prayer of a righteous person is effective. Praying for someone and letting them know you are can be deeply comforting and spiritually uplifting.

If you are the one struggling, I encourage you: don’t carry the burden alone. There’s truth in the saying, “a problem shared is a problem halved.” While sharing may not solve everything immediately, it opens the door for support, relief, and healing. Reach out to someone who truly cares — someone trustworthy and kind. And if you feel you can’t confide in anyone around you, remember you have a faithful friend in the Lord. He listens. He cares. Psalm 55:22 invites us to cast our burdens on the Lord, for He will sustain us.

You are not alone. There is hope. And help is closer than you think.

Shalom.