Holy Week or Healthy Week?

My Spanish Audio Podcast now turned into an English-written blog.  Latest episode- Semana Santa o Semana Sana?

What better opportunity this week where we will be more intentional with the life and death of Jesus on the cross to talk about something that not only Hispanics, Latinos, or specifically Mexicans (depending on your generation) talk about emotional health and Therapy. Even some churches don't discuss it much, but God wants us healthy inside and out. If you have access to Therapy, and Christian Professional Counseling, do me and do yourself a favor. Take it! It is not a sin to process our thoughts and emotions in the light of the Bible and with the help of a professional. So this year, how will your holy or healed week be? I hope it's both!

Hello, everyone. I wanted to check in. Came in to not just say Hi and share some updates with you all, friends and family all over US and Mexico but this week, we will be doing everything but the very thing we should be doing; I want to know how you all doing, how's the life where you are. This week adds a whole other level of stress and commitments from us who serve at our local churches aside from your demanding weekly schedule. 

Since I'm not very good at replying to texts and emails and even picking up my phone because I am a busy lady, I want to catch up and share some things happening to me; all good, no worries!

You may know I am wildly chasing after a God-given dream of getting out of my comfort zone and making an audio podcast. Believe it or not, I can sing and lead worship at my church and pray even for strangers at Walmart, but my amigos, this takes a whole another level of faith and confidence! Especially since I'm learning as I am trusting that God will keep opening doors and opportunities, I'm learning to become a fool for the right reasons.

Okay, but without much more preamble, I am currently taking a Ministerial class called Spiritual Formation; if you have a chance to take this class or come across a teaching resource of this kind, I strongly encourage you to take it, you won't regret nor the people around you reaping the benefits of such experience. Although uncomfortable, what a more significant time Holy Week to share with you to talk of such a theme that we, as Hispanics, don't discuss: Mental Health.

Because we believe that to talk about Mental Health is for people who are crazy! Who lost their marbles or somewhere along the way, a screw needs to be tightened and now is loose. But in reality, just as we ought to take care of our physical bodies and spirit if you are a believer, you are already taking care of your spirit; we must also take care of our minds. This subject is still taboo if the brain is an organ that needs to be taken care of in the same manner as you would for your heart, kidney, or lungs. 

So all that is to tell you that I am in Therapy and not because it can be seen as a trending topic in some places, but because I believe that now after the Pandemic, we all have something in common, and that is the "pretending" to pretend we are something or someone that we are not. And Although I don't get paid or endorsed, I want to share some of the books we must read and study for my Spiritual Formation class through Kingswood University because, remember is not what is given to us but what we are giving to others.

I encourage you to read the book: "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" by Peter Scazzero. I got it from Amazon. The author says we can be very spiritual but emotionally immature. Look, I am not saying I know it all, nor do I feel like I am there to teach it, but I wanted to highlight that it is essential to healing our emotions. Our hearts must heal. The Bible says: "Guard or Watch over your heart with all diligence. For from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23) 

My only intention is to invite you since we are already preparing and meditating on Jesus' sacrifice on the cross so that you and I can have the opportunity of eternal life, so we weren't be lost anymore but come to seek and save us. I suggest we begin to live our eternal lives from here on earth healthy and whole, spiritually and emotionally healthy too. 

So if you have access to some type of Counseling or Therapy, don't be afraid and take it! You are not a weakling. You are not crazy. Better yet, you are allowing yourself to process your emotions and understand why you feel the way you do, and it is not a sin! to talk, process, understand and heal your emotions. Jesus Christ wants you well and healed in every area of your life, even your emotions. And so do I; I want you healed.

I know a church lady who once told me if you feel pretty, you will be pretty, so I am borrowing her words to invite you to feel pretty from the inside out, obviously with Jesus' help, from his word, from wise counsel and prayer. Give yourself the time to process your emotions. Jesus wants YOU WELL. I want you well. 

This week be intentionally content, hug your loved ones, and feel pretty, and you will be pretty, until next time. I hope something I've said has brought light to your day; thanks for reading me; many blessings and peace, 

P.s. don't forget to follow, like, or subscribe from whatever media you want to listen to my audio podcast. Semana Santa o Semana Sana?

Daniela from RedRoom Conversations.