Stepping Stones: Newsweek Gets It Right

Transformational Tip

The Feb 8, 2010, Newsweek, amazingly hit a homerun with its cover story. The cover is incredible…a picture of a pill between 2 fingers with a sad expression and tears rolling down the cheeks. Caption- “Antidepressants Don’t Work: The debate over the nation’s most popular pills.” Flip the magazine upside down and the pill now looks happy…Caption – “Antidepressants Do Work.” So which is it?

If someone had heart disease, the cardiologist recommends more than meds. Surely, the patient needs to develop many skills…dietary, exercise, relaxation, stress mngmt, anger mngmt, relationship, communication, marriage, parenting, and conflict resolution skills would be a great start to cut into the heart disease. With these skills, over time, the heart disease gets better and better.

If the person with heart disease only takes meds but doesn’t implement any other skills, they will die of heart disease. We don’t say their meds pooped out, were a hoax, were controversial, or only had a placebo effect. We just realize the disease progressed because the person didn’t do what they needed to do to stop it.

What diseases our brain the most is wrong decisions. Psych meds can help a bit, but the real cure is skills…spiritual, relational, emotional, psychological skills. This is what the Bible tells us in Proverbs and many places in the New Testament. Take every thought captive and be a good decision-maker, that is what renews the mind…develops the mind of Christ.

So Newsweek is correct. Antidepressants help with symptoms(sometimes a lot), but don’t cure anything. Our medical community and society at large hasn’t yet realized that Spiritual awareness and Bible application really are the cure.

Today, start renewing your mind by making good decisions all through the day. You will be amazed at how much and quickly positive momentum is built up. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community about really renewing your mind. If you are on Psych meds, don’t stop them on your own. Meds aren’t evil. Work with your psychiatrist. This DVD could clarify their role.

Prayer
Dear Father God, thanks for creating my mind. As the creator, You know exactly what strengthens it and what diseases it…and You told us, didn’t keep it a deep secret. Thanks also for psychiatric meds to ease suffering and help many. Help continue to grow the Mind of Christ, be a good decision-maker, and glorify You in all I think and do. In Christ’s all healing name; And all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1,2
But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:20-24
Above all else, guard your heart/mind, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23