Mental Health in Scripture

Scripture contains a wealth of wisdom when it comes to mental health. For thousands of years, God's Word has helped people cope with and endure their struggles, and it continues to be a source of comfort and guidance for His people today. In this post, we'll explore some of the relevant topics found in the Bible and how they apply to our lives.

Jesus also experienced many emotions and challenges, so He can understand what we deal with in life. Among other things He is our mediator, comforter, and empathizer. 

God Cares About Our Mental Health

The Bible is full of passages that emphasize God's care and compassion for His people. For example, Psalm 34:18 reads: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." This verse reminds us that God cares deeply about our mental well-being and is always there to offer comfort and support. Jesus also experienced many emotions and hardships, so He can understand what we deal with in life. Knowing that He can relate to our struggles is hugely helpful, in my experience. 

When we pray, we can rest assured that God hears us and is working on our behalf even when it feels like He isn't answering our prayers right away.

In times of distress or uncertainty, prayer can be an invaluable source of strength. Philippians 4:6-7 states, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." There is something so special about having an open line of communication with our Creator. When we pray, we can rest assured that God hears us and is working on our behalf even when it feels like He isn't answering our prayers. Not to mention, sometimes His answer is “no” and that can be a very good thing for us. In my own life, God has closed doors or kept them closed and in hindsight I could see how much distress and difficulty He delivered me from by doing so. 

Confronting Fear with Faith

Fear can often paralyze us from taking action or making decisions, but Psalm 118:6 says, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear," reminding us that no matter what we face, God will walk beside us every step of the way. Additionally, Hebrews 13:6 tells us to "have courage; do not be afraid or discouraged…for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go." These verses remind us that our faith gives us strength in times of fear or anxiety, so we don't have to face these difficult emotions alone.

No matter what difficulty you may face—whether it's anxiety, depression, fear, or some other form of distress—you can take comfort in knowing that the Bible has something valuable to say about it. The Word of God is filled with encouragement and reminders that no matter how dark things may seem, there is hope for better days ahead if we rely on Him for strength and guidance every step of the way. So take some time today to open up your Bible and see what words of wisdom God has for you! Many comforts await you if you just "ask, seek, and find" for yourself.

One Another Aspect

Another important aspect of mental health that the Bible speaks to is the power of community. As humans, we are created for connection, and having genuine relationships can be incredibly beneficial for our mental health. The triune God is in relational community Himself and we are made in His image. So the Bible encourages us to be in community with one another, to bear one another's burdens, and to encourage and support each other along the way.

The triune God is in relational community Himself and we are made in His image.

One passage that speaks to this is Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

This passage highlights the power of having supportive relationships in our lives. When we have people who can help us when we fall down, hear us when we cry out, and defend us when we feel defeated, we are better able to cope with life's challenges and navigate our struggles with greater resilience.

God Is Still Working

Finally, the Bible reminds us that our struggles and challenges are not the end of the story. God is a God of redemption and restoration, and He has the power to bring healing and wholeness to even the most broken areas of our lives. As Isaiah 61:1-3 says, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

This passage reminds us that God has the power to transform our pain into something beautiful, to bring healing and restoration to even the most broken areas of our lives. If we trust in Him and surrender to His will, He can bring about a new season of joy and freedom in our lives.

In conclusion, the Bible offers a wealth of wisdom and guidance when it comes to mental health. By turning to its pages, we can find comfort, strength, and hope in the midst of life's inevitable and unavoidable difficulties. As Ed Welch says, in one of my favorite books Running Scared, “When we actually investigate scripture, we find that God is not holding back. He reveals himself generously, without reservation, opening his very heart to us. If we think otherwise, if we think he is holding out on us, then we are getting trounced in the spiritual battle.” 

So whether we are struggling with anxiety, depression, fear, anger, or some other form of distress, we can take comfort in knowing that God cares about our mental health and is always available to provide support and strength. So let us turn to Him in prayer and to His Word for encouragement, trusting that He is with us AND goes before us!

- Ben Sheppard, Marketing & Development