When I’m a Christian Struggling with Mental Health
When someone is dealing with issues related to mental health such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction, their reality will often times be distorted based off of their past experiences, currently circumstances, and/or their personal lens & perspective. Each issue, challenge, or struggle no matter the size or situation can feel like an impasse and can often times exacerbate an individual’s already fragile state.
Coping techniques, psychotropic medication, and treatment plans can be helpful in dealing with the symptoms, but as Christians, how do we come with a biblical perspective and continue to address the deeper issues of the heart (ie. what is going on “under the hood”)? How do we understand who we are and who God is in light of our situations and circumstances?
Here are 3 things to consider, think about, and do when facing challenges and difficulties in light of your mental health struggles:
PRAY: GO TO GOD FIRST
It is easy to take prayer for granted, but we need to remind ourselves that prayer gives us direct access to the God of the universe. We will often go to strategies, techniques, people, or Google first and our last resort after everything else fails will be to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “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.”
This spiritual peace is more than a feeling — it is an assurance that God cares for you and is in control even when you are suffering or facing your greatest struggles.
PROCESS: WORK THROUGH DIFFICULT EMOTIONS
Sometimes when we deal with difficult emotions such as anger, worry, or sadness, it is easy for us to bottle up these emotions and internalize them. But when we do not actively process our emotions in a healthy way, they will begin to manifest in other areas of our lives. We need to have a bigger perspective of our emotions and it will be important who you process these emotions with.
Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
If you are having a difficult time working through difficult emotions, it is helpful to seek a trusted counselor, pastor, or leader that will provide Biblical counsel and insight into your situation.
PURSUE: SEEK TRUTH
Our emotions are not always the best barometer to understanding our reality. Therefore, it is important to not base everything on how we feel in the moment, but instead, to trust and believe what we know as truth.
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
To seek truth, it will be important to pursue the things of God. This will include reading and meditating on God’s word, praying, listening to praise and worship music, investing into a church community and small group, and so forth.
As Christians, our hope is in something far greater than what this world has to offer. Although many of us are dealing with issues surrounding mental health, broken relationships, injustice, and pain, we need to continue to have a kingdom perspective knowing that all of our suffering will come to an end, whether in this life or the next. This is what we place our hope in - Jesus, our Savior and King - who satisfies our souls and provides for our spiritual needs. So let us not lose hope and continue to trust a God that is loving, faithful, and good.
”So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)