10 minute read
Reflection
HOPE FROM DESPAIR
Cadet Chris Button reflects on 2 Corinthians 1:3–11, with a focus on mental health
WE often think of Paul as the trailblazing apostle who travelled across Europe to spread the gospel, enduring imprisonment, torture and eventually death, all for the sake of the Kingdom of God. We rarely think about the broken, despairing, imprisoned man who simply wished that he could die. Yet Paul was both of these things. Like many of us Paul lived a messy and complicated life. He could experience tremendous highs and equally tremendous lows. We can learn as much from his lows as we can from his highs.
In 2 Corinthians 1:8 Paul describes the suffering he had experienced during his time in the province of Asia. He says that he was ‘so utterly, unbearably crushed’ that he ‘despaired of life itself’ (Revised Standard Version). Perhaps many people reading those words don’t need to imagine how they would feel – they know exactly what it is like to despair of life. They might well be able to say to Paul that they understand what it is like to live a life that feels as if they have been sentenced to death.
It can be difficult for those of us who struggle with those particular feelings, or with any of the many difficulties that can come from issues with our mental health. The people around us, trying to be helpful, may tell us that we need to pray more or have more faith. Yet these feelings – the difficulties surrounding mental health – do not stem from a lack of faith. In this Bible passage Paul does not talk about losing his faith. In fact, his faith is his only consolation.
Christians and people of faith in general can have a dangerous tendency to associate mental illness with a lack of faith. If someone has the flu we don’t tell them it is because they have a weak faith or that they are not trusting God enough. We would tell them to rest, to go to the doctor, to get the help they need. We should take the same approach to mental health as we do for physical health – not piling on blame but encouraging people to seek support. This doesn’t mean that faith has nothing to do with mental health. On the contrary, Paul found hope – his only hope, in fact – in the God who had rescued him before and would rescue him again. Paul’s faith did not protect him from feeling ‘utterly, unbearably crushed’ or from despairing of life itself but it did give him an anchor to hang on to during those times.
I know that when feeling completely and utterly crushed by life, and full of despair to the extent that I simply want to die, faith is difficult. This is where faith is not about feeling but about believing. We may not feel there is any hope. We may feel that God has abandoned us. Paul probably had those same moments of doubt and fear. But it is in wrestling with God to hold on to faith that, even ‘‘ Our faith does not protect us from feeling utterly crushed and despairing of life, yet it can help us through those times
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when we don’t feel it, even when we don’t know it, perhaps even when we don’t fully believe it, we can still hope. Paul ends this section of his letter by saying that others had joined in helping him through their prayers. When we are not the person going through the time of trouble it can be difficult to know what to do. We want to fix things and make things better for the person who is feeling utterly in despair. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that often it is something that we cannot solve. We can, however, support, encourage and love the person in need, offering whatever acts of kindness are appropriate if the person wants them. Most importantly, we can pray for each other at all times. We can journey alongside someone who is suffering when we pray for that person.
Our faith does not protect us from feeling utterly crushed and despairing of life, yet it can help us through those times. Experiencing difficulties with our mental health is not a sign that we are weak or lacking in any way. God is there in the midst of it all, faithful to the promise that nothing can separate us from his love.
CHRIS IS A CADET IN THE MESSENGERS OF COMPASSION SESSION
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES Diamond O Geoff and Maureen Carver, Letchworth (6 February) O Ted and Pam Garnham, Guernsey (2 March) O Eric and Margaret Jerome, Luton (7 March)
DEDICATED TO GOD O Hope Rosie, daughter of John and Sarah Justice, by Major Marian Parker at Worthing
RETIRED OFFICERS Birthday congratulations O Lieut-Colonel Mary Smith (85 on 9 March)
BEREAVED O Wendy Blackmore, Clowne, of her husband John O Commissioner Paul du Plessis of his wife Commissioner Margaret du Plessis, Major Myra Sercombe of her sister O Major Agnes Thompson of her brother James Thompson
PROMOTED TO GLORY O Joan Raisey, Eaton Bray O Ken Pointon, Lowestoft Citadel O Commissioner Margaret du Plessis from Willett House, Chislehurst, on 9 February O Marjorie Watson, Burton-on-Trent
ON THE AIR ONLINE Let There Be Praise O The USA Western Territory Staff Band on kitchener.faithfm.org from 12.30 – 2.30 am GMT on 28 February Previous broadcasts are available by visiting www.citadelpromotions.com or www.salvos.com/tomquick
TRIBUTES
MAJOR AUDREY COCKS AUDREY was born in Skewen in 1931, to Aeilwyn and Gwen Lewis, the first of five children. She entered the training college in the Shepherds Session and, after completing her training, married Reginald in May 1955. Their first married appointment was at Sudbury, Suffolk, where the first of their children was born; sadly, Pamela did not live long.
A year later Julian was born, and they moved to Ipswich Queensway. An appointment to St Mary Cray followed, where Rosemary joined the family. After various appointments they arrived in Bromley, where they remained for the next 53 years.
Audrey helped at the corps holding various roles, including playing for the singing company when she was able,
ENGAGEMENTS
GENERAL BRIAN PEDDLE AND COMMISSIONER ROSALIE PEDDLE: O Canada and Bermuda Territory (Canadian Staff Band 50th anniversary weekend), Wed 27 Feb – Sun 3 Mar O Sunbury Court (International Moral and Social Issues Council), Mon 4 O Pakistan (commissioning), Wed 20 – Sun 24*
THE CHIEF OF THE STAFF (COMMISSIONER LYNDON BUCKINGHAM) AND COMMISSIONER BRONWYN BUCKINGHAM: O India Central Territory, Wed 6 Mar – Sat 9**
THE TERRITORIAL COMMANDER (COMMISSIONER ANTHONY COTTERILL) AND COMMISSIONER GILLIAN COTTERILL: O Northampton (Intercultural Mission Conference), Fri 1 Mar – Sun 3 O Swanwick (homelessness conference), Mon 4 – Tu 5 O Ireland (divisional congress), Sat Sun 10 O Sunbury Court (five-year review of officership), Mon 11 O William Booth College (Design for Life), Sat 16 O William Booth College (Exploring Leadership Day), Sun 17 O Sunbury Court (leaders orientation), Wed 20 – Sat 30
THE CHIEF SECRETARY (COLONEL LEE GRAVES) AND COLONEL DEBORAH GRAVES: O East Midlands (divisional leaders retreat), Wed 27 – Fri 1 Mar O Yorkshire South with Humber (divisional officers retreat), Tu 5 – Th 7 O William Booth College (spiritual day with cadets), Wed 20
but she loved to ‘sing for Jesus’ (her father’s words) as a songster.
Enrolled at Skewen in 1945, she remained a songster for more than 70 years.
At the presentation of her long-service award in November 2016, she insisted she was not retiring, even though ill health restricted her attendance. Her other great joy were her six grandchildren, spending time both with those based in Bromley and in Germany.
When her first great-grandchild, Theresa, was born she was thrilled and, although unable to visit because of her deteriorating health, she looked forward to the visits.
The last family occasion she attended was Alex and Becca’s wedding – she had a wonderful time.
While it was hard to see the once feisty Audrey that her family knew disappear to dementia, they are grateful that it spared her from fully understanding Julian’s sudden passing and Reginald’s demise. – R. H.
MAJOR JOHN KNIGHT JOHN was born in Kenilworth in 1940. He was the son of a Baptist minister and worshipped at the Baptist Church for many years. Moving to Evesham he attended Horticultural College and became a Salvationist, enjoying most of the activities. He became the junior soldiers sergeant, and was faithful in taking the Army papers around the public houses.
Later, for a while, he moved to Oldbury as an envoy before marrying Captain Shirley Hallam. After John’s training they served in many corps, including Kidsgrove, Winsford, Birtley, Jarrow, Sheffield Attercliffe and Birmingham Sparkhill, finally retiring at Lye. In retirement John continued to minister at Bromsgrove.
A dedicated officer, he loved meeting people and preaching, and had a great sense of humour. He always had time to visit folk in hospital and nearby care homes, and loved chatting and praying with those he met while selling the War Cry. John loved gardening and had three plots. He won many cups at vegetable
shows and was always enthusiastic about his achievements. He grew fruit and vegetables, spending hours picking onions, beetroot and cabbages, which he then sold; all proceeds were given to the corps.
More than anything, his life radiated Jesus, whom he loved.
John was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was truly a man of God and is greatly missed. – S. K.
ANDREW McMAHON, GATESHEAD ANDREW was a true example of the saving power of the Lord. He engaged in conversation with a public house herald some forty years ago and accepted the invitation to attend the meeting.
Andrew admitted to living a wrong lifestyle but, after giving his heart to God, he was able to learn to manage his violent behaviour. He regularly thanked God for saving his soul and for giving
ADVERTS
his family a better life.
Andrew faithfully engaged in public house ministry for many years, keen to show others the transforming love of God.
His health failed him, and after a number of falls, although determined to resume attendance at meetings, he was unable to do so.
He remained faithful to the Saviour in his final days and a humbling witness to his corps family. – M. D.
MURIEL JACOBS, IPSWICH CITADEL MURIEL Jacobs was promoted to Glory at the age of 93 after a short illness. She was a songster for many years and a member of the home league and the over-60 friendship club.
The last years of her life were spent in a nursing home in Felixstowe. Though not able to attend the Army, she was always interested in the corps life and family. She kept her faith until the end and had her daily devotions. – D. C.
ALAN WATTS, BARROW-INFURNESS ALAN was a soldier at Barrow-in-Furness from 1985 until his promotion to Glory in January 2019. A committed Christian, he made it apparent to all who met him that he was passionate about his faith and wanted others to know about the love of Jesus. A keen walker, Alan loved nature. Being blessed to live on the edge of the Lake District national park, he became a founding member of the corps walking group, sharing his gift of companionship with many people.
While quiet and unassuming by nature, Alan overcame his natural shyness to become a valuable member of the corps, selling the War Cry, collecting for the Big Collection and becoming an informal welcome sergeant in the corps café.
Alan’s greatest gift was, perhaps, his willingness to share his life with others; while in his company you were the centre of his world.
Servant of God, well done! – M. D.
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