Mental Health Through a Biblical Lens

Story at a glance:

• What Is Mental Health?

• Mental Health Examples in Scripture

• Finding Hope and Comfort in the Scriptures

• Embracing Scripture and Doctors

What Is Mental Health?

The World Health Organization defines mental health as, "a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community."

How do followers of Jesus address the complex nature of mental health challenges with a combined spiritual and practical approach?

Mental Health Examples in Scripture

Did you know that men of God like Jeremiah and Elijah, in the Bible, had intense moments of mental distress?

In Jeremiah 20:2-18, Jeremiah expressed a profound desire to never have been born, illustrating the depths of his internal struggles.

Similarly, in 1 Kings 19, Elijah pleaded with God to end his life, showcasing the overwhelming burden on his mental and emotional state.

These passages unmistakably demonstrate the mental health struggles that individuals, including esteemed men of God, encounter. These passages also make it clear that mental health challenges are not a new or unfamiliar concept to God's people.

Finding Hope and Comfort in the Scriptures

By having faith that God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), that God sent His Son Jesus for our sins (John 3:16), that God resurrected Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9), and that God will raise believers from the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), you can confidently rely on every other verse in the Bible.

The faith that leads to believing in Jesus for salvation is also the faith that believes in the spiritual healing found in the passages mentioned.

Here are just a few examples of the many ways the Bible offers guidance and comfort during times mental challenges:

1. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us not to fear, for God is with us, strengthening and upholding us.

2. Matthew 6:34 urges us not to worry about tomorrow but to focus on the present moment.

3. Philippians 4:6 teaches us to pray with thanksgiving, presenting our requests to God with a grateful heart.

4. In 1 Peter 5:7, we are encouraged to cast all our anxieties onto Him because He cares for us.

5. Romans 12:2 encourages us to renew our minds, emphasizing the importance of positive and uplifting thoughts.

6. Psalm 23:3 reassures us that God restores our souls, offering a sense of rejuvenation and peace.

7. 2 Timothy 1:7, we are reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control, instilling courage within us.
   

Embracing Scripture and Doctors

It is essential to acknowledge that God has blessed us with doctors for our well-being. In fact, one of Jesus' disciples, Luke, was a physician.

It was Luke's narrative of Jesus' intense suffering on the eve of the crucifixion that provides the harrowing description of Jesus experiencing a medical phenomenon known as hematohidrosis (Luke 22:44).

Therefore, I think it is important to seek God's guidance while also keeping an open mind about His miraculous healing power in every distinct situation.

We should not confine Him to a single method. He may choose to heal us through an approach involving medical professionals.

For instance, some individuals have encountered deficiencies in specific vitamins and minerals such as B-Complex, Vitamin D, and Magnesium leading to mental, physical, and hormonal imbalances.

Being led by the Holy Spirit on how to correct these imbalances resulted in holistic healing.

• A Biblical illustration of this can be found in Isaiah 38, where God used a natural remedy to heal King Hezekiah's life-threatening illness.

Some medical professionals have been granted wisdom by God regarding alternative methods that may be beneficial in dealing with mental health issues. Remember to pray and seek guidance from the Lord when choosing the right doctor for your specific needs.

Conclusion: You Are Not Alone

Remember that you are not alone in dealing with mental health struggles.

Take comfort in knowing that we all go through mental health challenges and rely on God to help us through.

Let us embrace our vulnerabilities, seek God's guidance, and embrace professional medical help when needed as we embark on a journey of healing and renewal.

May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you.