Ella's Midnight Inspiration

You know the expression, “Black don’t crack.” It is referring to our (black men and women) skin color and because of it, we don’t show the signs of aging as quickly as our white sisters and brothers. I found this expression to be mostly true for women. My dearly departed mother, for instance, didn’t start having wrinkles on her face until she was in her eighties. When I hear about what my mother’s generation went through growing up; how much money they use to make for a days’ work or how they were treated in the South, I sit in awe at how resourceful they were and how they survived on so little. How they took the abuse and discrimination and held their heads in pride and dignity and got up the next morning, only to face the same thing again and again; while raising their children to have respect and manners and to fear of the Lord. Just think about the stress level and emotional effects it all could have caused.

As I walk around Charleston, I see people talking to themselves. Now that we have Bluetooth, it is more often than not, but I digress. I often wondered what could have happened in their lives that would cause them to be that way. I’m sure we all know someone who is suffering from mental illness. Sadly, there are people silently dealing with emotional problems. We all need some type of counseling. With all that’s going on in our world today, you could lose your mind. With the economy the way that it is, people are getting laid off from their jobs, losing their homes and families are falling apart. People are depressed, turning to alcohol, drugs and crime. Every day you hear pharmaceutical companies advertising anti-depression medications. There are those who have suffered through abuse (verbal, sexual or physical), trauma from having an abortion, or loss of a loved one. Not to mention we have two wars going on and there are solders who are literally suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

It’s been said that “black people don’t go to counselors; we just need to go to church to deal with our problems.” I should know, I use to think that way until I had to go to counseling myself. But what if the place called church is one of your problems? I ask that question because a lot of people won’t. Many people have gotten wounded there… ..I WAS ONE. What I realized after much prayer during my season of transition, is that God was dealing with me. I had to move out of my comfort zone so that He could put me right where He wanted me to be. I still believe that church is the place we should go to for healing. We need to be where other believers are. Where the Word is being taught, preached and lived. The church is the hospital for sin-sick souls. NO ONE IS PERFECT THERE! If anyone tells you different, tell them “THE DEVIL IS A LIAR!” Thank God He led me to a place where I can be free to be who I am, where I feel welcome, useful, people are praying with and for me, and I can get help in times of trouble; most importantly, I can be a help to someone else.

So often we make the mistake of running to the wrong people or things to help us through difficult times. The Bible tells us not to seek the counsel of the ungodly (Psalm 1); that’s why we should pray for wise counsel and ask God for discernment. The bible has the answers to all life’s problems. Even Christians need to go outside the church building for professional help sometimes; be it for help with your finances, children, marriage or otherwise. If the church provides these services, then that’s wonderful. Too often we find ourselves bottling up deep dark secrets and hurts that need immediate attention with clear direction “AND CONFIDENTIALITY”. I believe that is why therapy exists. If you get sick you would go to the doctor, wouldn’t you? As black people….All PEOPLE, we need to learn to take care of the “WHOLE MAN”; our mind, body, spirit and soul. Shopping, sex, drugs, and alcohol isn’t the answer. Take care of YOU. This is the only life on this earth you are ever going to get. Thank God for every new day He allows you to see. Pray and ask God for His help…then and only then “BLACK WON’T CRACK.”

©Copyright 10/09