Concussions and Thinking Clearly - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - February 4, 2025
"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people." 1 Corinthians 14:33 (NLT)
Weathering winter climates has never been a favorite pastime of mine. Maybe it's because I'm thin, and the chilly temperatures seem to seep deep into my bones. Or perhaps it's because of the darkness that surrounds us—less light and more blackness day after day. This past Wednesday, it was because of black ice. And now, my disapproval of winter has heightened.
My Wednesday wasn't off to too bad of a start. I'd had a nourishing breakfast and taken time to delve into the Scriptures. While walking a neighbor's dog, however, the day quickly went for a turn. Suddenly, I wasn't cruising along, I was ice skating along—straight onto my back. As my head and tailbone cracked onto the sidewalk, I knew it was a doozy.
Five hours later I found myself waiting in the local Urgent Care. I was awarded a diagnosis of my first concussion and sent home to rest and recover. Thankfully, God protected my body and mind. The damage was minimal, and there was no need for an MRI. But as days went on, I realized my thinking was slow, my head hurt, and my tailbone seemed to ache. It got me thinking about this:
Having a concussion makes it difficult to think. My mind has felt slow and foggy like the morning mist. It takes a lot of effort to sort the facts from the opinions and think clear trains of thought. But how many of us struggle to think clearly about our mental health because of what has been said to us?
"Just pray more."
"Read your Bible."
"Let go, and let God."
Unfortunately, many of us have had hurtful things said to us when it comes to struggling with our mental health. It doesn't seem to matter that we are Christians who believe in God either because, like Job's unhelpful friends, we're told we must've sinned or need to have more faith.
Friends, I want to encourage you that your faith is crucial to your mental health. Jesus Christ is the only way I get through my days. But, Jesus also cares about my mind. He cares about my mental state, my head space that often feels heavy. And He wants me to get the help I need.
I don't believe God ever meant there to be confusion when it comes to caring for our mental health. There was never meant to be a divide between practices that are holy and practices that are secular. 1 Corinthians 14:33 reminds us that God is not a God of chaos or disorder, but peace!
If you're struggling with your heart, soul, or mind this week, know that Jesus cares about and sees you. He's given us resources here on earth like medication, therapy, doctors, and nutrition for a reason. Coupled with the power of His Word and His Spirit within us, receiving help for things like anxiety or depression is possible.
God wants you to be able to think clearly about getting help for your mental health. And you deserve the time it takes to get that help! Need some practical steps to get started?
-Be honest with yourself and God about how you're really doing. Evaluate caring for your body, mind, and soul. Are you eating right, moving every day, and resting your brain that works so hard to care for you? Like recovering from a concussion requires resting the mind, sometimes we need to rest our brains from all the nonsense we've been told about caring for our brains!
-Consider finding a Christian therapist if you're struggling. It took me many years to pursue therapy for my anxiety, depression, and trauma, but it was well worth it. Try using Psychology Today or getting references from friends.
-Remember: God is a God of peace and not chaos or disorder. Sometimes, you will need to sort the truth from the lies. Many well-meaning individuals (including Christians) may try to speak to your mental health. Take the time to evaluate their words in light of the Scriptures and what you know to be true about God.
Let's pray:
Dear God,
Thinking clearly can be difficult when we're struggling with physical health issues like concussions. Thinking clearly can also be challenging when we wrestle with mental health issues. Please help us remember that no matter what, you're not a God of chaos, but peace. You speak truth into our lives, and want us to get the help we need—no matter what. We love, praise, and thank you for the gift of your presence. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/fotostorm
Related Resource: Anxiety: Practical Steps for Healing in Christ
Anxiety is debilitating and can leave us feeling overwhelmed, alone, and defeated. But what if there were practical steps and biblical truths that could lessen the load and aid us in our freedom journeys with mental health struggles? Pastor and Licensed Professional Counselor Susan Thomas joins me to discuss this today! Like what you hear? Subscribe to Bought + Beloved with Kirby Kelly on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
