Is it okay, not to be okay?
by Andy Cokayne 29 July 2022
Reading : Psalm 23
I saw the above sign from the Samaritans on Willington Railway Station Platform the other day, 'Its okay not to be okay' and it provoked some thought. Some years ago when asked "How are you brother?" I heard the reply "Repenting and Praising." I felt I'm not quite their yet. However more often than not the reply we make, or hear, is normally along the lines of "Fine thanks, and yourself?" How often are we prepared to say how we really feel?
As Christians we often get into the mentality that as I am now a Christian, everything should be okay all of the time. After all isn't that what Jesus came for? We appear to think that if I am not "okay" then there is something wrong with me; may faith must be weak, or failing. Are we afraid, or ashamed, to say how we really are, for fear of being judged?
A character that springs to mind from the bible is David, he knew what hard times were, and he knew what it was like not to be 'okay!'
From times like these comes Psalm 22, where David reflects on what it felt like not to be 'okay'. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me," David looked back at the time when he felt far from 'okay!' Yet he could also write Psalm 23 where in verse 4 we read "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." Just like you and me, sometimes David's sense of not being 'okay' was brought on by what he had done; for example the time when he had committed adultery, and tried to cover it up by having someone killed. Then being challenged by his friend the prophet Nathan, who made him consider what he, the King had done. David needed Gods correction, and he felt very much 'Not okay!' Yet at other times, David felt 'not okay', and he had done nothing to bring it on himself.
When we have times when we feel not 'okay', we are in good company. 'It's okay not to be okay' But never forget, just like David knew, "I will fear no evil, for you are with me", our Father God is with us through it all.
Song : Even though I walk through the valley
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Prayer
Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things.
Amen
St. Ignatius