Are you aware that 1 in 5 of us lives with a mental illness?

Is there anything you can do to help?

🤯

With over 200 different types of mental illnesses, each person needs some type of care.

Professional care, sometimes with medication, is often needed.

But there is one thing we can all do that will make a big difference--offer the ministry of presence. The presence of a trusted caregiver will help professional therapy work better and sometimes it is enough to help people find healing.

Continue to read on to and see the story unfold of a man that just needed the power of someones presence !!!

I was sitting with a man who was mentally ill but you could not tell it by looking at him. Broken relationships and addiction had wreaked havoc on his young life. Troubled emotions and confused thinking added to his torment. It was complicated so I simply offered my presence.

• I sat with him.
• I looked him in the eye, when I could. He often looked at the floor.
• I asked him open ended questions that gave him the opportunity to tell me his story.
• I listened to him.
• When it was appropriate, I repeated what I heard so he would know he was heard and feel validated as a person.

"This really helps," They were his words, not mine.

His response was so bold, I was surprised.

He continued, "You are not trying to fix me or tell me what to do."

His countenance relaxed. He looked at the floor while he was organizing his thoughts but often he looked back at me, and locked in on my eye contact. We were connecting and a tear rolled down his cheek. That was unusual for a man known more for anger than vulnerability.

I had the feeling my role was rare in his life. Perhaps no one else was "just" present with him.

He wanted to pray!! He wanted to read Scripture!! Preaching or teaching from me was not necessary--just responding to what he asked for.

That scenario has repeated itself with the same results throughout my ministry because PRESENCE works!

The Ministry of Presence works with the...

• addicted
• behavioral and mentally ill
• the elderly
• the demented
• the injured
• the sick
• the grieving

When you offer presence with someone ill, whatever the illness, or someone in need, whatever the need, your presence provides care that is valuable beyond measure.

This emphasis is important because it does not feel like it is enough. We worry about what we will say and fear that we cannot do enough. Sometimes those doubts intimidate us and keep us from offering presence and a caring relationship. There are many unmet needs and lonely people because this ministry is misunderstood and under utilized.

But comfort and healing will take place if we just offer our presence. When we practice the ministry of presence our ministries will expand with people saying, "This really helps." They will be open to Scripture and Teaching because someone cared with presence first. Care givers will be encouraged to care more because they will know they have what it takes to make a difference in someone's life.

I hope that this post will help many find comfort and healing because more people will be caring better than ever before.