Yelena halted her anxious steps, turned around, and faced the growing Void. Ever present and creating shadows of every existing soul, she finally realized why he had been so secretive of his demons. And yet…she knew the only way to stop the darkness was to enter in, saving not only the world of this threat, but also the one who was always haunted by its presence.
Sometimes, I have felt like I could understand Bob. Always wanting to be better; desiring to bring good into the world. And yet…simultaneously, worried that if people knew the worst of me, they would forsake me to the Void. Their only help is to hope I can fight it on my own. Maybe, they will pray for me. What they may not know is that although, in my stubbornness, I aim to fight, the more I fight alone, I become more overcome by the enveloping darkness. What I secretly desire - and what I need - is someone to enter the fight with me.Mental health acts as a psychological quicksand. Within seconds, an individual can swing from okay to overwhelmed by a storm of emotions. Those who find themselves in this war know they can’t do it alone; they need help. But because of the insurmountable weight, they are afraid to plead their needs, because they don’t want to drown those who would try to rescue them. We cannot deny its existence, but we also cannot leave those who suffer to do so, in silence. Frankly, isolation becomes a common “solution”, because the weight is too much to bear for any one person. And those who carry its heavy burden would rather die than dump their baggage on unrelated bystanders. Unfortunately, some take that route.
When Yelena disappeared, her father was distraught. About to run in to save her, the rest of the Thunderbolts had to hold him back, so he wouldn’t disappear - and perhaps die - too. However, Ava knew that Yelena didn’t make impulsive decisions. If she entered the darkness, there was a reason for it. And maybe…maybe there was a victim of the Void worth saving, even if his soul was its host. So, as a team, aware of the demons they had fought on their own, turned toward the darkness, in order to bring the lost boy to freedom.
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| Janitor AI Found on Google Images |
I doubt that the original Avengers would have been able to rescue Bob. Not that they didn’t have the super powers to do so. But I don’t think they had the heart to save someone when they were the villain. At least, while the Avengers were in their infancy (aside from Natasha Romanov; which may be the beautiful paradox that it was her younger sister who led the charge to not leave Bob in a mountainous incinerator). It took a civil war for Steve Rogers to convince the rest of the team that Bucky was worth saving, despite all the evil he committed within half a century. It took many global and intergalactic wars fought before the Avengers admitted they had their own personal battles they had to reconcile.
The reason why the Thunderbolts* worked for Bob’s rescue was because they were fully aware of their sins and were trying to change. They took time to earn Bob’s trust. What began as a joke of trust, because when dealing with tough emotions, one should just “shove them way down” turned to “you can trust me”, while he was in his hero form. However, that was minute in comparison, because the phrase only occurred when the team saw Bob at his best. Bob eventually realized he could trust the Thunderbolts only when they refused to leave him alone in his struggles, even when they saw his Void’s darkness taking over him.
The Thunderbolts* knew what it was like to be broken, and therefore, they knew they could help someone who was broken. All ever Bob wanted to be was a hero; U.S. Agent also desired the same accolades. But both had hidden pains that compromised their ability to be a savior the world needed. Yelena lived with constant functioning emptiness. Ghost understood what it was like to be used for scientific testing, only to lose control of oneself. (So much for the battle of who had the worst childhood trauma.) Bucky knew the struggle of fighting one’s own mind, and having to remember the truth when so many lies had been programmed. The Red Guardian…ha…he kept the optimistic view that there was still good, in spite of all the evil. That’s why he still had so much hope for his little girls, despite all the red they spilled. Each of the Thunderbolts* witnessed themselves become villains and the depravity it caused, and if Bob could be saved from his guilt, it was worth the try.
Relating Bob’s character with the mental health conversation, not everyone is a Thunderbolt. Heck, sometimes we can only wish to be an Avenger. We know people shouldn’t be left alone with their demons, but balancing what is appropriate support is hard to navigate. We can encourage developing a Sentry mindset. But as seen in the film, encouraging a hurting person that they are suddenly powerful, infinite, and indestructible only created a delusion that they were fixed, while the Void was looking for the perfect deception. There’s nothing like believing you’re on top of the world to create the exquisite disappointment when reality shoves your trauma back into the mirror when you least expect it. Believing you’re the hero when there is a villain waiting to be unleashed only opens the door to hurting bystanders. No matter how hard you try.
The complexity of mental health requires a multi-faceted approach, as well as perspective taking. It is too much to ask the person struggling to tough it out and fight alone. It is also unrealistic to expect people to save the person. Even with the best of intentions, failure can be a result. Yes, Jesus is the answer. But we need to be careful to not suggest that a person wouldn’t ever need the extra support, just because Jesus is present. What would that say of Israel’s victory occurred when Moses was supported by Joshua and Hur (see Exodus 17:8-16)? Of how the apostles often traveled in pairs (see the book of Acts)? Job’s pain was intensified when his support only sought to accuse and tell Job how he needed to fix it, rather than sitting with him in his suffering.
And yet…Jesus is THE answer. People or substances cannot substitute what only He can do. After watching the movie, I remembered one of Jesus’ darkest times while being on earth. The garden of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus knew His purpose was to save all of humanity from their sins; but even His human side trembled at the thought of what was to come. What did Jesus do? He asked his three Thunderbolts (James, John and Peter) to come pray with Him. The thing was, His Thunderbolts failed to carry Him. That didn’t stop Jesus. He still pleaded with the Father and wrestled with His temptations to not be the Savior of the world, because it would mean not being able to ‘save Himself’. Jesus knew, ultimately, that He needed to meet with God. But He also knew He needed support. Nevertheless, when the support lacked strength, He persevered, because He believed that God was sufficient to meet His needs.
When mental health is a threat, it is important to know the roles we fit, and the responsibilities held:
If you are a BYSTANDER/ OG AVENGER: you are part of the acquaintance pool. You may know the individual by name only. Maybe you know them, personally, but aren’t really close.
1) It is okay to check in with the person, when they cross your mind. It is a simple act that shows you care, and gives evidence against the lie that their mind is trying to tell them that no one cares. Be careful to check in with them, for how they are doing, and not only just because they aren’t attending the community events.
2) Resist offering advice, especially advice that seems to suggest “toughing it out” or “just go outside and do something”. People who are struggling with mental health issues are battling with themselves, and no matter where they go, they are bringing their brains with them.
3) If you feel comfortable, invite the person to a social event. This does help bring them out of their headspace for a little while. Often, our “Bobs” are wishing others took the initiative to build friendship. I bring up the point for social engagements, because it is meant to be lighthearted, but not turn into an intervention. It can serve to deepen a friendship, if possible, but not exclusive to that purpose.
4) It is okay to make it clear if you are a person who may not be able to handle details concerning their circumstances. If you don’t know what they are going through, or have a lot on your plate, or are not apt to carry more than you should emotionally…don’t put yourself in a position to do more than you should. That being said, offering a hug and telling them you care, is helpful.
5) It is also okay for the person to not give details about their struggles. They may say they are “doing alright” or that they “are taking things day by day”. They aren’t trying to deceive you, but they are also trying to take care to not load on you more than you should carry. You can ask follow up questions, but be prepared that you still may not get the whole story. But that may be okay, because the details of their war should really be reserved for their Thunderbolts.
6) Pray for them that God would meet their needs.
If you are a THUNDERBOLT: you are a close friend or mentor, and know the person very well.
1) Be intentional about checking in on a regular basis, depending on the schedule that you know you can keep to. Invite them to things, or if able, ask to come over. Don’t underestimate the power of a hug.
2) Be willing to ask follow-up questions. Listen to the full story with grace, and wait to give advice. When offering suggestions, do so with room that movement or change may come slowly.
3) Be willing to sit with them in their pain. The first order of business isn’t about fixing their thought patterns or beliefs or circumstances. Although that may be part of the long-term plan, often the initial and most powerful step is for them to know they aren’t doing it alone.
4) It is okay to set up a boundary of how often you can check in, and how long one “session” can be. After all, you aren’t Jesus, nor are you to be a replacement. Secondary trauma is a thing, and while you are carrying for your friend, you also need to make sure you won’t be overwhelmed (and then, unable to help in the future).
5) Pray for them that Jesus will meet them in their needs.
If you are “BOB”: the person struggling with your mental health…
1) Do not fight on your own. But also, identify who are your bystanders vs. Thunderbolts. This will help set up proper expectations on who should be in your circle to help carry your hurts with you. If more specialized care is needed, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.
2) Recognize your Thunderbolts’ limitations. Even your Thunderbolts won’t be able to perfectly care for your burdens with you. Additionally, it isn’t realistic for them to hold your hand every single moment while you're fighting. The Thunderbolts purpose isn’t to fight your battles for you, but support you while you fight. (Bob was able to defeat the Void when he was encouraged to face it. But none of his new friends could overpower the Void. Bob had to choose to believe the truth of being cared for over trying to wrestle with the Void, in his own strength).
3) Intentionally say “yes”. ‘Yes’ to invitations from friends. ‘Yes’ to finding time to do one thing you enjoy in the day. Sometimes the ‘no’ to busyness is a ‘yes’ to rest and relax (having too many engagements through the week can also serve as a distraction, so balance is key).
4) Make a choice to receive a different perspective on the situation. Sometimes we're so focused on the problem that we believe there is no solution. Sometimes we think it's always other peoples' problems to fix, when, actually, we may have steps to take ourselves to pull us out of despair. 5) Turn to Jesus to help reframe the thoughts in your mind. The long-term change won't happen immediately, but each step will move you closer to being more healed.
It isn’t either Jesus or friends. It’s both (but, underlining that the foundation of it all still is on Jesus’ redemptive ability). I cannot promise that the battles will completely cease, though I wish they would. They may diminish in their power. Even Robert Reynolds found consolation in remaining hero-less - in order to keep the villain at bay - as long as he had a family who could love and care for him. Maybe in the MCU, someone can come up with a way where Bob could be Sentry without turning into the Void. But for now, being Bob without being abused or forsaken and yet fully known, is enough. Sometimes a check-in, taking time to listen and sympathize; sometimes allowing tears to pool at Jesus’ throne is enough of a reminder that the darkness has lost, though it aims to continue intimidating the soul of one’s mind. And that…can be enough hope to persevere into tomorrow.
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