Letter from Wendy

Imag’nation or Truth?

My self-‘image’ has taken a battering lately – due to a need for nine tooth extractions! (Daughters – take heed!). ‘Image,’ in our society, is rated important else why invest millions on advertisements? We are not considered ‘cool’, ‘hip’, (or whatever the current jargon) when presenting an ugly ‘image’! Think about it. One never observes a Model, (male or female), smiling broadly displaying a gaping black hole! The look is more often a ‘smouldering pout’! Maybe that should be my new image – a way forward? - I think not!

There was no humour in the pictorial evidence of Rachel Whitear, 21, photographed, when discovered, three days after her death. Emblazoned publicity, given with parents’ consent, ‘in the hope’ that someone else may be saved from the same fate, caused through addiction (in this case heroin).

‘Hope’ is the expression Christianity speaks of, especially in the light of the Easter truth.

Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.

But where was Christ for Rachel we ask? Indeed, where is Christ for anyone suffering with addiction? Answers cannot be confined to ‘slick-image-based-slogans’ or 500 words in a parish magazine!

“The Audit Commission into the management of drug treatment estimates that this country spends £3.5bn on drugs. Of this amount 20% goes on treatment and education and £7m is spent on prevention. The report could not be clearer. People are taking drugs, some of them need help, the help is often not available or well planned and we pay little attention to prevention and meaningful education. Treatment is required in as many forms as necessary to meet individual need. We need that treatment to be safe and accessible when, and where it is needed, because not only does treatment save money, it saves lives.”  People of Ashfield, Cretingham and Earl Soham - ‘respectable-middle-class-land’- we cannot own innocence here or abrogate our responsibility.

Further findings indicate that we spend another £3bn on alcohol misuse. For every Rachel there are a dozen lives lost to alcohol (the socially acceptable drug!) in accidents or excessive consumption or just plain, self-destructive addiction.

The façade of our self-assurance so often conceals the poverty of our souls. It is of major importance that we recognise our true condition and learn to place our trust on the goodness and mercy of God.

The great apostle Paul was ‘turned’ from his own particular addiction – ‘power’ used to destroy others! Having learnt truth in a life changing conversion, Paul speaks out:-

Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence. 

“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
(1 Corinthians 10:13).

Remember, the Risen Christ gifted his followers with the Holy Spirit; and still gifts us.  The Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth. However, even when the Holy Spirit is allowed to lead, emotional healing may remain painful, even excruciating. But the Spirit is also ‘the Strengthener’.

We are rarely delivered from our distress at the precise moment we call on the name of the Lord. Often we must endure for a while, be patient and continue in faith. Thank God, during those times He always gives us the grace and strength we need to press on towards eventual victory.  So ‘healing’ may or may not be instant. In the ‘process’ our attitudes are challenged, and may take a lifetime in ‘restoration’! For Jesus seeks to heal the whole person, making ‘good’ our broken humanity.

Healing is the making whole of four relationships:

The relationship with God…..Salvation,
The relationship with others… fellowship and reconciliation,
The relationship with oneself…..physical and inner healing,
The relationship with the world…..ecological and national issues.

That awful photographic ‘image’, of a human crouched in the foetal position still grasping a syringe, was ‘one of despair’. It was not, surely, how the Creator God intended humanity. For ‘he created us, to be made in His image – of all that is good’. (Genesis 1)

As Christians we hold a costly, compassionate responsibility to minister to the sick, oppressed and those in need. Starting at home and within our neighbourhood we can share the burden of concern by offering guidance, love and prayers. But sometimes Specialist Professional, Spiritual and Counselling Services are required beyond our own capacity, so let us be gratefully aware and supportive of such Christian Centres (see addendum) continuing the healing ministry of Jesus, the Risen Lord.

And, together pray,

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.
May your body and blood be my food and drink
May your passion and death be my strength and life
Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given.
May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross
Let me not run from the love which you offer,
But hold me safe from the forces of evil.
On each of my dyings shed your light and love
Keep calling to me until that day comes
When, with your saints, I may praise you forever.

Amen 

May God bless you

Wendy Gourlay

Christian Centres for Healing and Teaching

Burrswood Christian Centre for Health Care
Burrswood
Groombridge
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN3 9PY

Divine Healing Mission
The Old Rectory
Crowhurst
Battle
East Sussex
TN33 9AD

Guild of Health
Edward Wilson House
26 Queen Anne Street
London
W1M 9LB

Guild of St. Raphael
The Vicarage
Skirwith
Penrith
Cumbria
CA10 1RQ

Harnhill Centre of Christian Healing
Harnhill Manor
Cirencester
Glos
GL7 5PX

Pilsdon Community
Pilsdon Manor
Pilsdon
Bridport
West Dorset
DT6 5N

Richmond Fellowship for Community Mental Health
8 Addison Road
Kensington
London
W14 8DJ