Mental Health Matters for Christians Too

Over the past few years, and post COVID, there has been a push to help raise more awareness about the reality of mental health struggles. Organizations have made moves to help support their employees, and some schools have started allowing mental health days for their students. While we still have a long way to go in breaking the stigma, I believe this generation has more understanding and empathy for mental health struggles than any generation before it.

But Where Does This Leave Us As Christians?

Mental health is not an area the Christian community has always understood or acknowledged. In fact, today there are still some people who would see mental health as a “secular” invention or something that “Christians shouldn’t struggle with.”

Christianity and Mental Health

The reality is though, that mental health matters for Christians too.

God calls us to be good stewards of our spirit, soul, and body. This list includes our mind and mental health. Just as much as we have a responsibility to care for our spiritual lives and our physical body, we are called to look after our mental health.

Why is Mental Health Awareness So Important?

One of the quickest ways the enemy can damage us is to make us feel ashamed and alone. For those of us who struggle with mental health, our natural inclination is already to feel this way. When we as believers minimize the struggle our brother or sister is facing, or deny that what they are dealing with even exists, the damage can be devastating.

So how can we raise awareness for Christians struggling with mental health? I think before we can help, there are a few concepts we need to understand:

You can be a strong Christian and struggle with mental health.
Church service is not a replacement for counseling or therapy.
God is not mad or disappointed with those who struggle.
As Christians, we can invite God into our struggles.

Cure For Discouragement

You say to yourself or out loud, “Oh, I’m so discouraged.”

The reasons for your being in that state of mind may be entirely valid. Moreover, you may admit quite readily that discouragement comes to everybody at one time or another in varying degrees of intensity.

But that knowledge does not do much to lessen the sharp hurt you are feeling today, does it? Your sense of frustration and hopelessness is very real. The important issue is this: can discouragement be conquered? Can that strong foe of happiness actually be moved out of the way?

In searching for answers, the place of beginning is all important: we must learn the “why” of our troubles.

Determine the Cause

“Oh,” you say, “there are many causes of discouragement, as many as situations that could be named.”

This is true. But there are at least three underlying factors that we would do well to look at because they appear again and again.

Psalm 119:81 - 88

Here are the causes of discouragement as listed in this passage: exhaustion (v. 81); delay (v. 82); neglect by other people (v. 83); postponed answers to prayer (v. 84); malicious conduct by others (v. 85); and persecution (vv 86-87). A formidable list, you’ll admit!

Discouragement often hits when you are physically and emotionally exhausted. Elijah went through this experience, you’ll recall (1 Kings 18-19). He even prayed that he might die! God’s answer was to rest him, feed him, and reveal Himself in the “still small voice” that gave renewed courage and vision. Rest, nourishment, and a new meeting with God will take care of 90 percent of all your discouragements!

Postponed answers to prayer are also hard to take. The implied criticism in Martha’s greeting to Jesus, as recorded in John 11, was “Lord, You didn’t answer soon enough. You didn’t get here in time to keep Lazarus from dying!” But in the case of Lazarus, our Lord wasn’t thinking of healing. He had something far greater in mind: presiding at a resurrection! God’s delays are always the precursors of greater things! Once you’ve learned this lesson, the discouragement of delay will have been mastered forever.

The psalmist had to learn the difference between “they” and “Thou.” When attention is focused on what others are doing, it is possible to become quite discouraged, even bitter. But when attention is centered on God, His Word, and His will, discouragement flees and faith begins to soar.

How Do We Respond?

The truth is, God has endless love and compassion for those who are battling depression, anxiety, and every other form of mental illness. The heart of the Father is for us to find healing, hope, and restoration. True freedom does not mean that you will never struggle again, but it does mean that God promises to be right there with you in the struggle. Our mental health is real, but so is our God!

So, if you are a Christian who struggles with mental health, God loves you, and He is not ashamed of you. You are not alone in this fight. He is there with you when you cry and when you doubt. When you go to counseling or therapy, He is there cheering you on. You don’t have to feel ashamed or alone.

If you know someone you love is struggling with mental health, pray for them, and support them! Let them know they are loved unconditionally and encourage them to seek out the help they need. Your prayers and understanding will mean more than you could ever know. We all have a part to play in sharing this message that mental health matters for Christians too!

Small Thought Here
God will give you light for the next step you are to take, though you may not see far down the road. When you determine to lay aside self pity, when you choose rather to give your attention to eternal values, God Himself will meet your every need and discouragement will disappear.

The more you think about yourself, the more miserable you will become; but the more you meditate on God’s love and mercy on your behalf, the more you will be impelled to faith, praise, and action!

My soul fainteth for Thy salvation: but I hope in Thy Word.

(Psalm. 119:81)

Resources
https://mercymultiplied.com/mental-health-christians/

https://www.walkwiththeking.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/11Book22Cure4Discouragement.pdf

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, get help immediately. You can text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

DISCLAIMER: The content on this blog is generated for entertainment or/and informative purposes, but not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or behavioral health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.