Show Notes
In this twenty-third week of “Ordinary” (or “Normal”) time, Case is joined by special guest Gene Berry. Together they reflect on Isaiah 53 as a powerful metaphor for those struggling with their mental health.
Nuance’s Formed for Formation is a weekly liturgy to encourage all of us to be faithful to Christ in the public square. Join Case Thorp as he follows the Church calendar through the reading of Scripture, prayer, and short reflections on faith in all facets of public life.
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Episode Transcript
Welcome to the Formed for Faithfulness podcast. I’m Gene Berry, a friend of the Collaborative and glad to be with you. On this short devotional podcast, we invite the Holy Spirit to guide our conversations and illuminate our hearts as we journey together in faith. As we explore how to live out the calling of Christ in our everyday lives, we pray that the Spirit will speak through each episode, offering wisdom, encouragement, and transformation. Join us in seeking a deeper connection with God, allowing His presence to shape our thoughts, actions, and communities for His glory.
A reading from Isaiah, chapter 53, verses 4-12.
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53 provides a powerful metaphor for the silent struggles many face with mental health. The passage describes the suffering servant who bears the pain and afflictions of others. This is a foreshadowing of our Jesus.
Today, many can suffer in the same manner. They can carry this invisible burden. Poor mental health, the invisible burden, it can feel like a double dose of suffering. Just as a servant is misunderstood and deemed afflicted by God, individuals struggling with mental health issues may feel isolated or judged by society as their suffering is not always visible or understood. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt or inadequacy, much like the iniquities and transgressions that the servant bears. However, the passage also highlights the importance of recognizing and sharing our burdens, suggesting that acknowledging our pain is the first step toward healing. Isaiah 53 offers, though, a message of hope and redemption. The passage speaks of the servant’s suffering as a means to bring peace and healing to others, a reminder that there can be a purpose and meaning even in the midst of deep pain.
For those struggling with mental health, this can be a source of comfort, reinforcing the idea that their experiences, while difficult, are not in vain. The servant’s journey from suffering to justification and healing mirrors the path many individuals take in their mental health journey, moving from a place of deep affliction to one of understanding, healing, and even eventually peace. This passage reassures us that even in our darkest moments, there’s the possibility of light, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.
A reading from Psalm 91: 9-16:
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts, seeking your grace and mercy for the mental health of all your children. We lift up to you every mind, every heart, and every soul, asking for your healing touch to be upon them. For those who struggle with anxiety, depression, or any form of mental illness, we ask that you bring comfort and peace. Calm the storms within and replace fear with the assurance of your love and presence. We pray for clarity of mind, strength in moments of weakness and hope in times of despair. Guide us to be compassionate towards ourselves and others, recognizing that mental health is as vital as physical health. Help us to seek help when they need it and to offer support to those around us. May we find rest in you, knowing that you are the ultimate healer and source of all peace. Lord, surround us with your love and wisdom and lead us on a path of wholeness and well-being. Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
