When I was younger, I remember hearing a Pastor say that people with mental health issues just needed to pray more. Even at the tender age of 13 I knew that wasn’t true nor was it helpful. If we’re being honest, the church has struggled to properly navigate issues of mental health for as far back as any of us can remember.
Sadly, while the church has always had the solution for mental illness, we’ve struggled to practically help people apply the truth of the Bible into their lives. If you have struggled with issues like depression or anxiety, I have good news for you: the Bible has much to say to you that will help you navigate your current season.
First, let’s talk about the problem with mental health: stigma behind it.
Truth be told, we Christians don’t seem to hold a stigma around heart disease or diabetes or obesity in quite nearly the same way we do when someone struggles with depression. For some reason, people have long believed that mental health issues are signs of character defect or weakness but they aren’t. Mental illness is just like every other bodily illness, the only difference is that it affects the brain and not the digestive or circulatory system. Mental health is normal and has been experienced since as far back as humans have been living.
Consider King Saul’s torment in 1 Samuel 16. In spite of the fact that Saul had everything he needed and much of the power he desired, he did not find contentment. In fact, King Saul suffered in his emotions and his thinking even when many would say he had no reason to feel that way. Sound familiar?
Or what about the suicidal ideation and acute depression that came upon the Prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19. The Bible tells us that the revered man of God, fell victim to fear, worry and sadness, asking the Lord to take his life. Never mind that Elias was accomplishing much for the Lord, he was suffering.
I’ll say it again, mental health struggles are normal and they affect all of us, even those in power and with great faith. There’s no need to think these issues make us weak or broken.
Then, let’s consider God’s promises to those who struggle with mental illness.
The Bible tells us that God has the ability to remedy heart and mind issues in the here and now.
2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God does not give us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Fear, worry and anxiety may be normal but God can overcome them with strength, compassion and clear thinking all of which are available to us immediately.
John 14:27 records Jesus’ promise that He leaves us with His peace, a perfect, peace. This kind of peace from Jesus is what allows us to walk through the most difficult and grievous season with the knowledge that this too shall pass and I will make it.
Philippians 4:7 Promises that the peace of God is a peace that surpasses all understanding. So even when you feel worried, or vexed and you don’t know why, God has the ability to bring calm to your storm even if the answers or way out of the storm are still unclear.
Nehemiah 8:10 The prophet of old reminds us to lean on the Lord in times of weakness, no matter the form. It is in the presence and power of God that we have access to true Joy and the joy of the Lord is our strength! We find strength and hope in rejoicing with God.
Psalm 30:5 The psalmist gently reminds us that worry, mourning, pain and suffering are both normal and inevitable but they aren’t terminal. While we will go through difficulties in this life, those difficulties don’t need to last forever because every new day brings new hope; joy comes in the morning!
I could go on and on with verses that tell us about the wonderful ways in which God seeks to meet us in our times of mental and emotional struggle but I think you get the point! Perhaps it’s best that I close with the promises God makes about our eternal life where there is no pain.
Revelation 21:4 promises us that no matter what we go through in the here and now, from physical ailment, to sin sickness and even mental illness, there is a coming a day when each of us who call up upon the name of Jesus will walk into our reward and there will be no tears, no suffering, no pain, no worry and no confusion. The truth is no matter how bad this life is, for those who call upon the name of Jesus healing is coming, peace is coming, it’s guaranteed.
Look, I know the church has done a disservice to those of us have struggled with mental health issues, but that’s not God‘s fault, that’s the product of fallen humanity. If you’re reading this blog and you’ve made it this far consider this: what you’re suffering is real, it’s normal and God has an answer for you. I would encourage you to talk to your local Pastor or see a Christian mental health professional and ask for help. God desires that you are healed and that you are whole.