Mental Health

By: Claudene Sebolai

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”

Anxiety is the body’s natural defense mechanism against stress. It is a state of fear or worry about what’s to come. Common anxiety signs and symptoms include feeling nervous, restless or tense, having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom, having an increased heart rate, feeling weak or tired, or trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry, etc.

When in our darkest night and we don’t have peace and we don’t know how or why or when or if. We can ask God for guidance through moments of anxiety and stress. True peace comes when we learn to hold God’s Word up to what worries us. There, we learn we can’t fix ourselves; we can’t protect ourselves. Instead, the Bible tells us we can rest, knowing that Jesus walked into the broken, sad, scary places to rescue us and love us. He is the One who fixes. His is the only protection that matters.

Paul gives us a natural response for coming to face with our anxieties, a spiritual petition to something greater. Instead of trying to establish control, we are encouraged to offer our experiences to God. Remember, when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. This is not an intuitive process, in many ways, petitioning is the exact opposite of establishing control. However, in the process, even if our circumstances do not change, we are offered the gift of peace that transcends all understanding. PRAYER Father, in the name of Jesus, cast away my anxious heart and anxious and overthinking mind. You are in control of my life and I am safe in the Shadow of Your wings. Your promise to never leave or forsake me still stands and I trust fully in Your ability to keep me in perfect peace. I receive Your offer of peace that transcends all understanding, into my heart and mind. Thank you that I can cast my cares upon You, because You care for me. Thank You for calming my soul. You did not give me a Spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind! Amen.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34).

WE INVITE YOU TO PARTNER WITH US!

Roodepoort Inner Cit O treach as started in Jan ar b Willie and Henrie e Vermaak. O er the last ears, RICO has reached o t to n mero s people in a ariet of a s. From pro iding food and clothing and finding shelter, ario s skills training (mainl Earl Childhood De elopment), co nselling and placement in dr g rehabilita on facili es, assistance in se ng p small b sinesses, discipling and Bible School training. All rooted and mo ated from o r firm personal belief and itness that tr e transforma on starts ith mee ng Jes s Christ, the Redeemer of the orld. Based on the calling of Isaiah , RICO has the ision to create a Dream Centre in Roodepoort inner cit to be er e angelise, disciple, eq ip and empo er people. The ha e recentl iden fied a propert that o ld be perfect for this p rpose and keenl in ite o to partner ith them to achie e this dream! isaiah 58 v 12:

Yo r people ill reb ild the ancient r ins And ill raise p the age-old fo nda ons; o ill be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets ith D ellings.

Partners: Indi id als, ch rches, b sinesses and organisations ho are e cited b this ision,and eager to become part of the team. Reso rces: Financial, technical e pertise, ol nteers and net orks. Finances: R . million (aro nd , USD) to p rchase the propert , pl s R . million additional f nds needed to reno ate and set p the facilit for ministr , as proposed in the concept design.

THE DREAM CENTRE WILL BE A:

safe place on the streets of Roodepoort, a alk-in centre here e er one is elcome, home here people can meet Jes s, place of ser ice here ol nteers can come to ser e others ith their gifts and reso rces, a ehicle for re i al, empo erment and comm nit b ilding.

Wall Garden Training/ Meeting Room m Training/ Meeting Room

m Comp ter Room

m Librar

m Hall

Total Area m Emergenc Ministr Room m Entrance m Red Door of Hope Reception Desk

Storage m

Discipleship Ho sing m

Discipleship Ho sing m

Bathroom m

D/WC m M/WC m F/WC m Parking Ba s Kitchen m Sho ers

m

Proposed Dream Centre La o t

EMI SOUTH AFRICA HAS PARTNERED WITH US TO HELP IMPLEMENT THIS DREAM, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE IT BECOME A REALITY!

Roodepoort Inner Cit O treach www.rico.org.za

We are overjoyed to share in others’ joy, as Paul exhorts us to do: “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Rom. 12:15). Here are some friends who overcame obstacles, completed tasks, and said, “I do” in the face of adversity. As the saying goes, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going!”

Just Married!

Shaheem and Jamie-Lee Reid tied the knot and entered into a covenant of holy matrimony. Three questions the newlywed couple asked the Gouws’ (who have now been married for 33 years and feature in the marriage segment of this issue):

WHAT KEEPS THE FIRE BURNING IN YOUR MARRIAGE?

Speaking each other’s love language as often as possible.

WHAT ADVICE IS STILL WORKING FOR YOU SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR MARRIAGE?

Always talk it out. Whatever you are facing, feeling or thinking, talk about it.

WHO IS THE ONE WHO ALWAYS ENSURES THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS ARE NOT OKAY?

We both do. We are different in so many ways and it helps us to keep it together. My husband is the quiet one and that is sometimes needed. I, on the other hand, am more confrontational and believe in resolving conflict. That’s one of the areas that we are complimenting each other in.

“I longed for this day. I longed for those 5 seconds of acknowledgement. I owed it to myself to prove to myself that I am not who and what they said I am. In 1995 I had to turn around and walk away in shame from my dream to study specifically B.Admin. On 1 December 2021, after three years of study - blood sweat and tears - I can finally say: I’ve made it. One thing that people need to realize is that each one of us run our own race. There is no set period in life to achieve anything. Don’t be fooled by a society who hides behind their own insecurities. Your time is now. Don’t just dream, be it! For if you can dream about it, you surely can achieve it. Glory to God!” Well done Cynthia Jansen!

NEW BOOK RELEASE:

We are honored and excited to announce the release of BEAUTIFULLY FLAWED authored by one of our contributors, Liezel Snyman. Check out our last issue for Liezel’s powerful testimony. We are so proud of you Queen Liezel! Book orders & bookings Call: 083 226 8992 Email: Liezel@kintsukuroi-consulting.com

Bagged the Degree