Medication or Meditation

 

After dealing with a rather frustrating situation today and feeling my feathers a bit ruffled, I walked into the 4th grade classroom.   I was monitoring students during indoor recess and turned to the girls working at the board and asked, "If you knew someone was really struggling with trying to calm back down and not be so frustrated, what would tell them to do?"

One girl quickly spun around and spoke up

confidently, "Tell them to try medication!"

My inward chuckle did, indeed, calm my feathers but then she corrected.

"I think I meant meditation!"

Both have their places.  

President David O McKay instructed, "Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord. Jesus set the example for us."  He then expounded on Jesus going to the wilderness for spiritual strengthening after being baptized.  

But there is also definitely a place for professional, skilled health care.  And perhaps someone needs to hear that today. 

Sister Reyna I Aburto made this clear.  "Our brains may suffer because of stress  or staggering fatigue, which can sometimes be improved through adjustments in diet, sleep, and exercise. Other times, therapy or medication under the direction of trained professionals may also be needed.

Untreated mental or emotional illness can lead to increased isolation, misunderstandings, broken relationships, self-harm, and even suicide."  This was the sad outcome for her father. 

There need be no shame in asking for help, although sometimes it may take a few tries to learn where  the right place is to be currently asking. 

There is always hope through Jesus Christ, but sometimes He acts through the hands, tools, and inspired knowledge that trained professionals, clergy, and friends can provide.