Faith and Our Mental Health
By Amanda Idleman
Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ - Matthew 22:37
When we are suffering due to an ailment, we need the peace of God to help us to endure our trials. We need to make changes in the ways we care for our bodies in order to experience healing. We need a community to call on to support us on our journey. Diligently praying that God offers us healing should be a part of our response. In addition to these practical steps, we often rely on the expertise of professionals, and oftentimes, this includes taking medication as a way for us to find that healing.
All of the actions described above are the same steps that are necessary for a person to find healing or relief from mental illness. Yet, just last week I sat in a service where those taking anti-anxiety medications were a group being called out. It’s clear that we still are lacking in our ability to address mental illness in church with grace and understanding. Some Christians believe that mental illness is more than an ailment; some think it is a spiritual failure.
Empathy Is Required When Discussing Mental Health
If you’ve never struggled with your mental health, it can be hard to understand what it feels like to have your mind and body hijacked by the crushing weights of anxiety, depression, or other debilitating mental illnesses; I assure you, as someone that has walked this trying road, there is more to these terrifying experiences than a lack of a proper understanding of God’s Word.
God’s Word is an amazing tool that does help us all find healing in our lives. Nonetheless, many times when we are experiencing clinical forms of mental distress, we also need the help of our community and professionals to find balance in our bodies again.
Just as the church would not shame, discourage, or call out a diabetic for taking insulin, we also should be careful not to stigmatize treatments for a person being treated for mental illness. Spiritual leaders need to take note of this mental health crisis that is happening in their communities. The body of Christ should begin to educate itself on how to love people that are navigating this struggle.
Anxiety and Depression Are Caused by Physical Imbalances
It is well-documented that our behavior, thoughts, and trauma cause anxiety and depression. Those are all things that we need the help of others and the Holy Spirit to work through. Counselors, therapists, and a strong community are key to finding healing. In addition to these traumas, stresses, and losses, these mental illnesses are also triggered by physical imbalances in my body.
Understanding the physical connections between our bodies and minds helps to free us of the shame and guilt that holds us back from seeking healing through a holistic approach. The church needs to expand the conversation from us seeking peace not only through our connection to the Bible but also through seeking health in our bodies through practices that promote our physical and mental well-being.
Christ Alone Has the Perfect Mind
Part of the church's struggle with this topic stems from an incomplete understanding of the many verses that address our mental battles with fear and anxiety. God over and over comforts us, telling us that when we are afraid, we can trust him. God knows our minds are weak, and fear will be a part of our human experience. This is why he kindly addresses our fears with words of comfort, but somehow those same words have been a catalyst to point blame at ourselves or other believers as if we are lesser in our faith because we are enduring a battle of the mind.
One wise friend explained that we all have fallen minds; only Christ had the perfect mind. We often pray that God would give us the mind of Christ because it’s impossible to live our lives with peace and wisdom without access to our Father. All of us struggle to see our world, circumstances, relationships, and futures without struggles.
This grace that says there is not one of us that gets our thoughts right helps to break the stigma around anxiety or depression. We need to be sharing the truth that God sees that our minds and bodies struggle. He is here for us on a journey that looks like prayer, self-care, medical care, and more.
Life is complex, and how we find freedom is often different for every person. Leaders of the faith, as we talk about this very complex issue, let’s be open to hearing, willing to learn, and filled with love.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
If you are a faith leader, take time to hear the lived experiences of those who have endured struggles with their mental health. Listening leads to compassion and understanding. This will provide context and depth the next time you share a message concerning our mental well-being. If you are in a season in which you are struggling with mental illness, take time to do more than just lean on God’s word. Invest in the health of your body which will make way for a more peaceful mind. Seeking the assistance of professionals on how to find balance in your body is always a wise step toward healing.
Further Reading:
Why the Church Needs to Stop Stigmatizing Mental Illness
The Silent Stigma of Mental Illness in the Church
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/metamorworks
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
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