Fruitful Living
Five ways God guides you (final)
2. Commanding Scripture
Be extremely careful to avoid any situation in which ministry is being used for personal gain. Jesus sees people who are trying to make money off the back of spiritual activity. He confronts the activity with the word of God. He says, ‘It’s written in Scripture, My house is a house of prayer; You have turned it into a religious bazaar’ (19:46, MSG). Jesus’ understanding of the will of God came from studying the Scriptures very carefully. This is the supreme way in which God guides us all.
3. Compelling Spirit
When Jesus is questioned about His authority He challenges the ‘religious police’ with a question about John’s authority. Jesus is suggesting that John received his authority ‘from heaven’, that is, from God Himself. The clear implication is that Jesus’ own authority also came ‘from heaven’. It came from His close relationship with God. Even His opponents recognised ‘the truth’ in Jesus’ teaching. Jesus was not willing to curry favour or to show partiality. He was guided by what He knew to be the truth. He spoke the truth fearlessly.
Jesus challenges the premise behind their question: to what earthly power should we give our primary allegiance? The key issue, He explains, is whether we give God the primary allegiance we owe Him – whether we count ourselves as citizens of His kingdom before any earthly one. We should ‘give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s’. They were astonished by Jesus’ answer and became silent.
Luke tells us that Jesus was ‘led by the Spirit’ (Luke 4:1). Presumably it was the Holy Spirit who gave Jesus His answer. As Jesus walked in this close relationship with God, studying the Scriptures and teaching the truth, the Holy Spirit (‘the Spirit of truth’, John 15:26) prompted Him with words of extraordinary wisdom.
Prayer: Father, help me to follow the example of Jesus, to stay close to you and to hear your voice as I read the Bible and seek to be led by the Spirit.
- Example of guidance – Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52
As Moses comes to the end of his life he reflects on the way that God has guided his people throughout his life, and has been their rock. He is your rock. He is solid, stable, dependable, always the same and totally reliable; He does not have His ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ as we do. You can trust in his unwavering faithfulness. He will always be there for you.
God is not only ‘the rock’, He is also ‘your Father’.
Moses described how God guided and led His people (Israel) with a father’s love: ‘In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. The Lord alone led him’. – Deuteronomy 32:10-12
4. Circumstantial Signs
He goes on to describe how God, in His providence, looked after His people. He ‘fed him… nourished him with honey… oil… curds and milk… lambs and goats… the finest grains of wheat… the foaming blood of the grape’ – Deuteronomy 32:14. These were the providential signs of His presence with them on the road.
However, God’s people, here described as ‘Jeshurun’ (meaning ‘the upright one’, that is, Israel), ‘abandoned the God who made [Jeshurun] and rejected the Rock His Saviour’. It was this rejection that led to God saying, ‘I will hide my face from them’.
Sometimes, it is sin that prevents us from hearing God’s voice. Sin can lead to disaster. Now we have a remedy in the death and resurrection of Jesus: ‘the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:7, 9).
5. Common Sense
When we fall, as we all do, the sensible thing is to get up quickly. Part of guidance generally is doing the sensible thing. This was Moses’ complaint: ‘They are a nation without sense, there is no discernment in them. If only they were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be!’ (Deuteronomy 32:28–29). God made us thinking beings. He guides your mind as you walk in a close relationship with Him. Avoid a super-spirituality that expects an inward voice to guide every little detail of your life.
Moses returned at the end of his song to the word of God, ‘Take to heart all these words to which I give witness today and urgently command your children to put them into practice, every single word of this Revelation. Yes. This is no small matter for you; it’s your life’ (Deuteronomy 32:46–47, MSG).
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the way that you have led me through all these different ways at different times. Thank you that you have had compassion on me. Help me to take to heart all the words you have spoken and to obey them carefully. Help me to reach my destination.
ADDRESSING mental health challenges requires a balanced approach that combines physical care, spiritual grounding, and professional support.
Physical wellbeing – A healthy body supports a healthy mind. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest strengthen the nervous system and reduce stress. The Prophet Muhammad reminded believers of this balance: “Your body has a right over you.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 5199). Caring for one’s physical state is therefore a religious duty as well as a medical necessity.
Contentment with Allah’s decree – Faith provides comfort during hardship. Believers are reminded that trials are part of divine wisdom: “Perhaps you dislike a thing and it is good for you.” (Qur’an 2:216). Contentment (rida) shields the heart from despair and builds resilience against psychological pressure.
Positive thought environment – Surrounding oneself with uplifting people, engaging in beneficial activities, and cultivating optimism are essential coping strategies. Islam encourages good company and forbids despair, teaching that “none despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.” (Qur’an 12:87).
Guidance and counselling – Islam does not oppose medical or psychological intervention. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 3855). Seeking counselling from qualified experts alongside spiritual support ensures holistic healing.
Community support – Mosques and Islamic organisations can offer safe spaces for dialogue and group counseling. Ultimately, overcoming mental health challenges requires integrating faith, self-care, and professional guidance. By harmonising these elements, individuals can achieve both emotional stability and spiritual peace.
Islam’s holistic methodology for mental wellness
Islam offers a comprehensive approach to mental health that recognises the human being as a union of body, mind, and soul. Unlike purely biomedical models, which often focus only on symptoms, the Islamic methodology emphasises prevention, balance, and spiritual healing alongside medical care.
The Qur’an as healing – The Qur’an is described as “a healing for what is in the breasts” (Qur’an 10:57). Recitation and reflection bring tranquility, reduce anxiety, and renew hope. Many Muslims find comfort in verses of mercy, patience, and trust in Allah during difficult times.
The sunnah – The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. modeled a balanced lifestyle that nurtured mental health. He encouraged moderation in worship, quality family time, rest, and healthy eating. His dhikr (remembrance of Allah), supplications for anxiety, and emphasis on optimism remain therapeutic practices.
Sayings of the sahaba – The early companions demonstrated resilience through trials. Bilal ibn Rabah, for instance, endured torture with unwavering faith, showing how patience (sabr) and trust in Allah (tawakkul) build inner strength.
Frequent listening to Qur’an recitation – Research shows that rhythmic recitation calms the nervous system and improves emotional wellbeing (Doufesh et al., 2014). For believers, listening to Qur’an recitation is not only worship but also a form of therapy that instills peace and spiritual clarity.
Attending Islamic public lectures – Regular participation in Islamic lectures, sermons, and study circles helps to renew faith, expand knowledge, and build community support. Such gatherings strengthen spiritual resilience and remind individuals that they are not alone in their struggles.
Contemporary scholarship and social care – Modern Muslim psychologists (Rassool, 2016) emphasise integrating spirituality with therapy. Additionally, zakat and mosque-based initiatives provide social and financial support, reducing the burden of stress.
This holistic framework anchored in Qur’an, Sunnah, community, and professional care offers a balanced pathway to mental wellness for Muslims today.
Summary
Mental health remains a pressing issue worldwide in Ghana, where economic, social, and cultural pressures heighten stress and anxiety. This article has shown that mental health is not merely the absence of illness but includes wellbeing, productivity, coping strategies, and social contribution. Scientific research highlights the roles of psychology, biology, and the nervous system, while social realities such as unemployment, postpartum depression, and substance abuse intensify the crisis.
Islam offers a holistic framework that complements modern psychology by addressing both the inner and outer dimensions of human life. The Qur’an, Hadith, and the experiences of the early Muslims provide spiritual tools—gratitude, patience, remembrance, and resilience—that strengthen mental wellbeing.
Combined with medical treatment, counseling, and healthy lifestyles, these practices create a balanced model for addressing mental health challenges. Ultimately, mental wellness is a shared responsibility that calls for individual self-care, family support, professional guidance, and strong community systems.
Conclusion
The debate on mental health in Ghana must go beyond medical statistics and stigma to embrace holistic and culturally relevant solutions. Islam provides a comprehensive approach rooted in faith, compassion, and responsibility. By emphasising gratitude, resilience, social justice, and community solidarity, Islam aligns with modern psychology while offering spiritual depth often missing from clinical models.
Frequent Qur’an recitation, public lectures, counselling, exercise, and healthy social interactions together form a practical roadmap for healing. Importantly, Islam recognises the legitimacy of medical treatment and encourages believers to seek remedies while grounding their hope in Allah’s mercy.
Policymakers, religious leaders, and health professionals must collaborate to expand awareness, strengthen community interventions, and remove barriers that prevent people from seeking help. Mental health is not simply a medical matter but a moral, social, and spiritual one. By combining faith and science, Ghana can address this urgent challenge in a way that honors cultural values, uplifts communities, and restores dignity to those affected.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
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B. Walking in Righteousness and True Holiness (Colossians 3:20–24)
- Learning Christ
- Learned through hearing Him and being taught by His apostles (Matt. 28:19–20).
- Christ is the Truth (John 8:31; 14:6).
- Putting Off the “Old Man”
- Refers to your former conduct before salvation (Col. 3:5–9).
- The old man is never content and “grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts” (like addictions).
- Renewing the Mind
- Key to true transformation (Rom. 12:1–2).
- Focus on things above (Col. 3:1–2).
- Putting On the “New Man”
- Created according to God (Col. 3:10).
- Lives in righteousness and true holiness (Col. 3:12–17).
Walking in truth and holiness involves both a putting off (Thou shalt not) and a putting on (Thou shalt) approach.
II. Practical Applications (Colossians 3:25–32)
Case Studies
- Lying (v.25)
- Old man: lies without concern.
- New man: speaks truth, especially to fellow believers.
- Anger (vv.26–27)
- Old man: lingers in anger, loses control.
- New man: may feel anger but does not let it linger or lead to sin; “do not give place to the devil.”
- Stealing (v.28)
- Old man: steals without care.
- New man: works honestly and helps those in need.
- Corrupt Communication (v.29)
- Old man: careless in speech.
- New man: avoids corrupt speech, builds others up.
III. Summary (Colossians 3:30–32; Ephesians 4:30)
- Acting like the old man grieves the Holy Spirit.
- By the Holy Spirit, we are sealed for the day of redemption.
- Put away old characteristics: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, malice.
- Put on new characteristics: kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness (Eph. 4:24).
IV. Conclusion
- If the church truly walks in truth and holiness, it would shine like a city on a hill (Matt. 5:14–16).
- The world, though darkened in understanding, could see the truth in Jesus.
- Christians must avoid worldly reactions and instead respond in righteousness and true holiness.
- We are God’s communicators—His pipeline, His publicisers—leading people into His truth and holiness.
- Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
