Dear Friends
Welcome to the month of February. It is named after the latin word: “Februum”, which means “purification”, reflecting its historical significance in Roman culture.
.A famous psychiatrist said, “Thankfulness is the perfect antidote for mental illness”, which I believe concurs with the 20th bible verse of the fifth chapter of Ephesians: “And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. According to an overseas health organisation, practicing thankfulness can contribute to mental, emotional, and even physiological “purification” by reducing stress, clearing negative thoughts, and fostering a sense of inner balance and well-being.
But what is mental illness? One commentator suggests that it is a fear of reality – a lack of awareness, an escape from the present. Although a limited definition, the mentally ill find it difficult to face reality with thankfulness while the mentally healthy are better equipped to face life with calmness, patience, confidence and thankfulness. But what is reality? Reality is seeing life as it is. Life comes to us with many problems, injustice, deceit, pain, hurt, disloyalty of friends, sickness, accidents, disease and so on.
Reality from the Christian’s perspective is about the sovereignty of God, the loving purposes of the Almighty and the care that He has for us, particularly, in these desperate circumstances where more and more of our community are impacted by life events, life challenges and emotions. If we, as Children of God, don’t see the full perspective, that God is in control of the universe, and at work turning every stumbling block into a stepping stone, then we will struggle to see His glorious view of the whole of creation. Also, that Christ is actively intervening in every situation and life events, turning them into opportunities wherever possible to praise Him i.e. stumbling blocks into stepping stones. The stepping stones may not fully tackle our desperate issues but we’re able to face them with greater resilience – heightened assurance and reality of God’s peace.
According to Edward Carnell, “God created the world for reasons that are sufficient unto himself. It is not necessary that we be told these reasons. As long as we know that God loves us, we have a base for hope in us. And when we have this hope flourishing in us, all else can be borne in patience”. A Welsh Christian once said, “the envelope may be tattered but the letter (that is us) is still safe”. We become safe enough to face a new day, safe enough to enjoy the gift of a new day and safe enough to appreciate with thankfulness the repeated daily second chances.
Interestingly, some years ago I came across the “February song” by Josh Groban (5m views on Youtube). Timely lyrics which resonate with the ongoing anxieties of today and all around us. Josh says: “There are times in our lives where we feel as though we might need to just slip away from life for a bit and think or just breathe. We don’t want to disappoint or hurt those around us so our hopes are that they understand we are okay.”
He also says, “There are days when we need time to ourselves to figure things out and work through things in our lives. We should always remember that our happiness is with those who love us and no matter how confused we may become or lost we always have those around us who do care and want to help.” One viewer responded that the “February song” saved her life a few years ago when she was in so much physical and emotional pain.
Let’s remind ourselves just in case there’s any self-doubt or lack of confidence. God loves you as though you are the only person in the world, and He loves everyone the way He loves you. If we hold onto these words by faith with thankfulness, they will support our purification – good mental health, sustain renewed hope of blessings, create stepping stones of opportunities and outpour second chances daily during 2026 when we need them the most. We will not be abandoned or forsaken. Permit me to leave a prayer for daily reflection this month: “Lord of creation, whose glory is around and within us: open our eyes to your wonders, that we may serve you with reverence and know your peace at our lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Stay blessed with love
Reverend Rickey Simpson-Gray
Parish of Wokingham St Sebastian’s