I don’t remember people talking about mental health when I was growing up.  I know there were mental health issues but they were often addressed in different ways in the 60’s and 70’s than they are today.  I’m glad that there are people who make this discipline of study their life pursuit and I am sure many individuals that are being helped in ways that are very effective.  I am sure there are a variety of mental health issues for which there is no other solution than medication and on-going therapy.  On the other hand, I am certain there are many common areas of mental health that, like physical health, could be addressed without professional assistance.  For example, there are people who would see a doctor far less if they took better care of themselves physically.  I think there are many people who could do with less professional therapy if they really gave themselves to sound practices of mental health.  The truth is, most of us have the capacity to choose what we think about, what we value and how we are going to live.  The Bible provides truth for us, think of it as a good diet for the mind.  It is all good food but the teachings of Jesus (expanded by the apostles), could be considered the “miracle food” for mental health.  How different our thinking would be if we really believed Jesus’ teachings about our identity, gratitude, God’s presence, the nature of suffering, the power of the Holy Spirit, the excellence of forgiveness and reconciliation, the danger of contempt and the life giving provision of prayer.  These are just a few of the teachings that would transform the way we think, the way we handle emotions and the way we behave.  This coming Sunday I’ll be talking about why we should think deeply and regularly about the cross of Christ.  If we engage our minds on the breadth of this truth on a regular basis, it would transform our thinking and lead us to flourishing mental health.  No wonder the apostle Paul made the cross his boast.