Scott Box

The Foundation For Jesus’ Heroic Worship:

I always take my pills. I exercise, eat right and see my therapist. But understanding and practicing Jesus’ form of Christian worship—what I call heroic worship—has become the single greatest tool in my regular battle to maintain health and manage my Bipolar disorder. The H.E.R.O. tool has provided me with years of success, not perfection, but consistent success (Look below for the H.E.R.O. tool).

As I studied the Gospels, I recognized that Jesus’ definition and regular worship practice weren’t based on music like my understanding of worship—and I was a professional worship leader. Instead, Jesus’ model of worship involved service and being laid bare before God from the deepest part of Himself, His spirit. So, for someone like me, someone who was dealing with mental sickness, I felt like I was always “laid bare”…or hiding. Regardless, I was looking for tools to help me manage my Bipolar disorder and live a healthy life. So, Jesus’ understanding and practice of worship made sense for me to try:

“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”—John 4:23-24 MSG

Jesus lived His life in desperation for God, His Father. The heroic spirit inside Jesus desperately desired to serve His Father (see scripture above). Every. Single. Moment. Jesus was dedicated to living, speaking and restoring God’s truth and relationship to humanity. Jesus wanted to bring salvation and new life to all men and women. Today, as I regularly reflect on Jesus’ form of worship, I am massively humbled but inspired to live heroic as He is heroic—to worship as He worships. Every day, I try to regularly integrate Jesus’ heroic worship into my way of life (Again, feel free to peek ahead at the H.E.R.O. tool).

The Foundation For the H.E.R.O. Tool:

Jesus viewed Himself as the Great Hero, the perfect human, and God’s Son, the Messiah. He lived with the perspective that He was solving the human problem of sin and separation from God the Father. These two things were the foundation of His heroism. But Jesus also had an utterly desperate dependence and expectation on God the Father and God the Spirit—This was His moment-by-moment practice of worship. These three qualities are part of what shape God’s eternal ideal for achieving worship. Jesus, the Great Hero, was my/our model and exact icon of worship. In other words, Jesus Christ modeled perfect worship—heroic worship—and Heroic worship is the foundation of the H.E.R.O. tool. 

As I was learning to manage my Bipolar disorder, Jesus and His heroic worship became a life-altering tool for me. Jesus’ heroic worship of His Father became the language I used to help distinguish Jesus’ form of worship from the confusing and often contradictory forms of worship that surround me in my life and even in the Church. Jesus’ heroic worship has helped me dedicate myself to living the lifestyle Jesus lived so I might tell a heroic story with my life, a story a bit like Jesus’. 

” I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. “—Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

What I am saying is that Jesus’ heroic worship has expanded the spectacular mystery of worship to include “living my worship” rather than just “singing my worship.” On top of that incredible revelation, heroic worship also created a handle for me to grab for emotional stability. It helped me gain clarity in my journey of faith in Jesus and the management of my mental health. It has helped every time I have pulled it out of my tool belt. 

Here’s a brief introduction to the H.E.R.O. tool I developed based on Jesus’ worship in the Gospels. 

To Start Shaping a Heroic Story—Use the H.E.R.O. Tool:

H—hope

E—expect

R—rest

O—obey

Hope, expectation, rest and obedience are four of the most significant qualities I observed in Jesus’ regular operation throughout the Gospels. He was always hopeful and expectant that God’s will would be done. He was almost always at rest in His spirit or stepping aside to rest, and He always obeyed His Father. Heroism defined Jesus’ story, His mission, and His life of worship. 

So, is H.E.R.O. way too convenient? Yes. Grin. And that’s the reason it’s so powerful. The H.E.R.O. tool is a portable and memorable device for calling upon Jesus when the “stuff hits the fan” and chaos abounds in my life. It’s the primary “hammer” I use to adjust my heart, mind, and soul to things that remind me of Jesus’ promise of my salvation. The H.E.R.O. tool, based on Jesus’ heroic model of worship, keeps my spirit grounded to the truth—to Him—instead of getting regularly upended by the idols I am tempted to bow down to or some other person’s strong opinions or preferences about “worship.” Ultimately, it was Jesus’ H.E.R.O. focus that kept his humanity from bowing down to the temptations of Satan from the very beginning of His ministry. I longed for Jesus’ kind of control in my life. I eventually realized I wanted Him to take control. 

Jesus’ heroic worship has given me guardrails to keep me focused on my relationship with Him and regularly leaning toward health. Furthermore, heroic worship protects me from selfishness, ignorance, or superstition—All these things have led me to false worship, fear, and hopelessness—But no more. Most of all, Jesus’ heroic worship keeps my attention on others rather than my selfishness. And for a selfish guy like me who also manages Bipolar disorder, well, uncovering a tool like H.E.R.O. feels a bit like a miracle every day. 

I welcome any other selfish or broken person to discover the H.E.R.O. tool, too—And aren’t we all selfish and broken? Regardless of your “issues,” let’s become heroic like Jesus is heroic. Take the next day, week or month, and run your thoughts and prayers through Jesus’ heroic lens: hope, expect, rest, obey. Also, never stop taking your medication. 

Let’s become healthy together, hero.

Scott and Kariann Box live in Redmond, Oregon. Scott serves as Pastor of Development at Shiloh Ranch Church and has been a worship leader for over twenty-five years. Kariann works as a Realtor in Central Oregon and supports Scott’s…creative spirit. They have two children, a one-hundred-pound Labradoodle and a four-pound Shih Tzu without teeth. Scott is the author of HEROIC DISGRACE: Order out of chaos. Hope out of fear. ― A Worship Hero Story 

Mike Jacquart

Reports indicate that loneliness is at an all-time high in the United States. That’s not hard to believe given the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago and the subsequent shuttering of thousands of offices and other businesses that continues to affect society to this day.

It was certainly a workplace shift that many were not prepared for. “COVID has forced tens of thousands of workers to find out if working from home is for them,” wrote Marina London in my book, Climbing out of Darkness: A Personal Journey into Mental Wellness. “Some people are [sic] thrilled to give up their daily commutes and use Zoom. Others are desperately missing the social interactions provided by the workplace.”

But while COVID has waned, loneliness has not for thousands, so it is an important topic to bring to light during National Mental Wellness Month.

Actually, the pandemic only exasperated a trend that was occurring in society as technology made people more and more comfortable with doing everything from home – not only working, but also using Door Dash, Uber Eats, Amazon, and other convenient platforms to order everything from pizza to new furniture.

Even when people are out and about in public, continued fascination with the screens on their smart phones makes folks more focused on their mobile devices than the people around them. This is not to say that these societal changes are all bad. Certainly, they’re not, but the trend toward increased isolation concerns many – and it’s a direction that’s a particular worry for those at risk of, or already suffering from a mood disorder or other mental health challenge.

“Research has long noted the link between social isolation and mental well-being,” noted psychosocial rehabilitation therapist Kendra Cherry in an online article on the verywellmind website. “People who have solid social connections have a lower risk of depression than those who lack strong social and emotional support.”

What to do? As I’ve learned in my Fresh Hope support group, everything in life involves making a choice. We can decide to stay at home for hours, even days, at a crack, or we can make healthier choices. It’s no wonder that Therefore, I choose is part of every Fresh Hope tenet. The following are some personal suggestions:

*Get out of your house or apartment several times a day – especially when it is sunny. If you have a dog, even better yet as pets give you a built-in reason to walk and they are great companions as well. Exercise releases natural “feel good” hormones, including endorphins and serotonin. Even during my darkest days of depression some years ago, I found that “pushing through” to go for bike rides (I didn’t have a dog at the time) always left me feeling at least a little better.

*Make social contacts. Meet a friend or family member for breakfast or lunch on a regular basis. If this is not possible, go by yourself and make some idle chit-chat with another customer, waitress, etc. This is not easy for many of us, especially since social withdrawal is a common trait of depression. The simplest interactions will help you get out of your shell. “How are you today?” “I haven’t seen you in here before.” “I love your jacket. Where did you get it?” are some ideas for even short conversation starters.

Enlist other help. If venturing outside your home or apartment is difficult for ambulatory or other reasons, Cherry suggests reaching out to friends and family in other ways. “Just having the chance to talk regularly, whether it’s a text, phone call, or video chat, can help you feel more connected to other people,” she advises.

Consider joining a support group. Whether online or in person, Fresh Hope or another support system, you will have a chance to talk to other people who might be going through the same issues that you are. Support and encouragement are always good things!

Recognize the difference between loneliness and feeling alone. My sister, who has been single most of her life, likes pointing out that while she lives alone, she seldom feels lonely due to her in-person and online social connections with friends and family.

Finally, remember you’re never “really” alone. Lastly, but certainly not unimportantly, scripture reminds us that God will never leave us nor forsake us. When I lost my dog some years back, I dreaded the hours my wife was gone at her job. I prayed each day, “God, either help me through this, or take me home.” While it took time, I sensed His presence and reassurance that things would get better.

God has wired us to be social creatures. Whatever you are going through in your life, I have found that reaching out to others, even when you have to “push through” to do it, will help. And when you can’t, reach out to Him, as God enjoys spending time with us. Either, or both ways, it’s all good.

Mike Jacquart belongs to a Fresh Hope support group, has appeared on one of Pastor Brad’s podcasts and the author of “Climbing out of Darkness: A Personal Journey into Mental Wellness.” For more information, contact Mike at madjac@tds.net.

Marina London LCSW has extensive experience as a clinician as well as an executive for several national EAP (employee assistance programs) and managed health care firms. She can be reached at marina@impactconsulting.health

For more on Kendra Cherry’s article and other related advice, check out https://www.verywellmind.com/the-impact-of-social-isolation-on-mental-health-7185458

By Peggy Rice

 It was a tough morning.

The computer project I was working on was not working the way it should, and I was feeling overwhelmed. I’m experiencing distance in a relationship that is normally very close to me. My kids have made choices that are opposed to the way we raised them. And to top it all off, my crochet blanket was not turning out as the You-Tube Video promised!

I was feeling like a failure. My stomach started to hurt.

And those words kept reverberating in my head. “You’re such a failure. You’re so inadequate. You’re not worthy. You’re less than capable. You can’t do it.  You’ve failed.”

They were really loud phrases. Really loud voices. They played over and over in my head as I tried to get the computer project to work, to count the stitches in the blanket. As I tried to read my daily devotional and pray to the God of the Universe. As I tried to focus on Advent and the coming of our Savior.

But the voices in my head were louder.

Until I said, “Stop!”

Until I forced my thoughts to think on the character of God, who He is. And who He says I am in Him.

God is Savior. God is patient. God is love. God is all-knowing. God is forgiving. God gives second chances. God never leaves me. God is faithful.

I am a child of God. I am more than a conqueror. I am complete. I am redeemed. I am chosen. I am loved.

I had let my thoughts get away from me.

Scripture tells us: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

I had been thinking the wrong things.

God tells us what to think about, to help us avoid those thoughts in our head that can run away with our emotions. And our emotions – our feelings – can’t always be trusted. Our feelings even sometimes lead our bodies along, like how my stomach began to hurt. That physical response was driven by my emotions, my feelings. And none of it was true!

That’s why it’s important to control our minds, to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We need to manage what we’re thinking about, not just let our minds wander with self-condemnation or worry.

Several years ago, I began a practice of turning my worries into prayers. Instead of letting my mind get the best of me with negative and worrisome thoughts, just letting them roll around in my head, I directed them heavenward.  I took what I was thinking and put it into prayer. I shifted my focus to the God who knows my thoughts already. But He wants to hear from me. He wants me to bring those thoughts and worries and give them to Him, because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). It became a way to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17).

I encourage you to give it a try. The next time you hear self-condemnation or worry in your thoughts, pray about it. Shift the focus to God. Think about who He is, what He says to think about, what He says about you as His chosen and dearly loved child. Give Him your thoughts and ask Him to replace them with His truth. He’ll meet you there.

Peggy has been involved with Fresh Hope as a Group Facilitator for 5 years and as the Hope Coach trainer for 3. You can reach her at peggy@freshhope.us

By: Stan Popovich

Do you know a friend or loved one who suffers from fear, anxiety, and depression and do not know what to do to help them?

It can be frustrating to watch someone you know struggle with their mental health and not be able to do anything to relieve their suffering.

With this in mind, here are six tips to help the person cope in these kinds of situations.

1. Learn as much as you can in managing anxiety and depression: There are many books and information that will educate you on how to successfully overcome fear and anxiety. Share this information with the individual who is struggling with their fears. The key is to get your friend to understand how important it is to seek some guidance when it comes to their mental health.

2. Be understanding and patient with the person struggling with their fears: Maintaining depression and anxiety can be difficult for the individual so do not add more problems than what is already there. Do not get into arguments with your friend who may be having a difficult time with their anxieties. Make an effort to listen to the person rather than making judgements.

3. Talk to the person instead of talking at them: It is important not to lecture the individual whose having a hard time with anxiety and depression. Talk to the person about their issues without being rude. Most people will listen if you approach them in a proper manner. Remember to treat others the way you would want to be treated if you were the one who was struggling.

4. Ask for some ideas: Seek advice from a professional who can assist the person you know with their mental health issues. A counselor can give you some ideas on how to overcome anxiety, fear, and depression. Getting help from a therapist is the number one priority in getting the individual to do something about their problems.

5. Find out why the person won’t get assistance: Address the issues on why he or she will not seek treatment. Many people who are struggling are fearful and frustrated. Try to find out the reasons why your friend won’t get the help they need and then try to find the ways that will overcome their resistance of seeking some guidance.

6. Remind the person on the consequences of not getting help: Another way to convince the individual who is struggling with fear and depression is to tell them what may happen if they don’t get some counseling. Anxiety and depression can make things worse and usually won’t go away by themselves.

Stan is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which will help you discover a variety of techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. For more information, please visit Stan’s website at http://www.managingfear.com