“…but they were
frightened when they saw the man who had been demon possessed, for he was
sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane.” Mark 5:15b (power encounter)
Naseema abruptly left
the Bible study. Immediately afterwards I went to her house to find her. She
was about to light a match and burn herself to death. Then there was the time I
visited Halima when I found her on the floor, mute, and in terrible distress. Suddenly
I was introduced to a world of strange behavior which I had not previously
encountered. I couldn’t figure out what was mental illness, spiritual
oppression, result of occult or demonic activity, overload of stress or a
combination of those afflictions. I felt like I was in no man’s land with no
one to guide me through it. Before becoming a missionary in 1978 I never took a
course on mental health or spiritual oppression or demonic activity. Since those two incidents, which took place in Pakistan, I have walked alongside other Muslims and believers who have manifested unhealthy responses, toxic thought
patterns, disturbed minds, and strange behavior.
I am not a counselor,
therapist, mental health worker, or a psychiatrist. When I encounter something
not considered “normal” in my Muslim friends or in believers from Muslim
background I first pray for discernment. It is freeing to realize I don’t need
to analyze, fix things, or even to understand everything. I ask the Spirit to reveal to me as much as I need to
know, how I should respond, and what my part should be. I urge disturbed Muslims and believer friends
to see counselors or doctors but unfortunately most of the time that proves to
be futile. Frequently they deny or justify their behavior or feel shame to make
it known and get help. This is especially true of people who come from honor/shame
cultures. If all help is refused then I personally need to know from God what I
should do about my relationship with Muslim or believer friends. Sometimes He
tells me to walk patiently beside her in her need and pray for her healing or
to speak directly into her behavior and toxic thought patterns using the Word
of God; especially in matters of excessive fear, victim mentality, or
self-condemnation. If she can read the internet can educate her about some debilitating
disturbances such as panic attacks so at least she understands what is
happening to her. If she is suicidal I urge her to go to Emergency Room at the
hospital and offer to accompany her. There are other times when the Spirit
makes it clear I need to be removed from her. When she starts dumping anger on
me, flinging accusations my way, or telling lies repeatedly I know it’s best to
step out of the direct firing line.
There have been well meaning Christians who have attempted to exorcize
demons from some of my friends only for me to have to pick up the pieces after
they have left. Instead of healing more trauma has happened. Power encounters
do happen but generally speaking most need truth encounters.
The past months of the Covid-19 pandemic I have witnessed increased fears and anxieties in my friends' lives who are both Muslims and believers from Islamic background. It is important to assess our own mental health and receive comfort and help from the Holy Spirit. Are our own fears and anxieties increasing? We want to be agents of the hope, freedom, comfort, and help that God has already supplied in our own lives first. It does comfort them that we can identify with their issues but we also want to present the power and truth of Jesus Christ. What an opportunity we have in this pandemic!
Dear heavenly Father,
Thank you that you can bring peace and healing to our minds. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
