The late prominent pastor, Charles Spurgeon, once said, “The mind can descend far lower than the body, for in it there are bottomless pits. The flesh can bear only a certain number of wounds and no more, but the soul can bleed in ten thousand ways, and die over and over again each hour.”

Mental illness is not new, yet data shows an alarming number of Americans battling with mental illness in various forms.

Mental Health Challenges Continue to Rise

According to a consumer survey by Statista, 50% of Americans report feeling levels of anxiety or stress. In 2023, reports suggest that suicide rates remain at historically high levels, with over 49,300 deaths reported showing a slight decline from 2022, with 49,500 cases reported. 30% of Americans reveal bouts with depression, mood swings, or feeling isolated.

Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Illness in the Church

Although the stigma of mental illness among the Christian community is lessening, the church can remain an obstacle for many believers struggling to seek necessary help. Fear of being labeled an outcast can cause avoidance of needed counseling or treatment. In many cases, the church counseling options are not adequate to meet the need.

An article by American Psychological Association offers positive insight on the initiative for mental health practitioners partnering with faith communities to assist with the mental health crisis. They acknowledge that most religious leaders who provide counseling are not trained to diagnose or treat mental health disorders. The good news is that there is a growing trend among churches who are coordinating with psychologists to help improve the mental health services within their congregations.

“There’s more movement happening in this area in the last four or five years than I’ve seen in the last 20,” says Shannon Royce, director of the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives (also known as the Partnership Center) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Battling Mental Health with Christian Guidance

Prayer

Proverbs 11:14 – “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” With any battle we face, God equips us with His strength and Holy Spirit power to guide our way forward. Prayer is the first step. Seeking God’s wisdom and discernment to find the necessary mental health practitioner or resource is crucial. Before all things, pray.

Read Biblical Truth

James 1:5 – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, and it shall be given him.” Ask God to provide the passages that speak to your pain. Throughout the Bible, God offers comfort in easing our suffering. Pursue the Holy Spirit to reveal the teachings of Christ.

Seek Holy Spirit Counsel

John 14:7 – [Jesus said] “But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” If we believe, God’s Spirit lives within us. The advocate is our holy guide toward deeper enlightenment.

He can reveal to us the sources of deeply rooted emotional pain that can cause depression, mood swings, or long term suffering. Ask the Holy Spirit for awareness and the courage to face the memories of negative life experiences that hold us hostage. God’s promises to heal our sorrow and restore our soul are real. He will make us whole.

Practice Mindfulness

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Seeking a renewed mind is part of the Christian journey. Every person experiences emotional pain while others are plagued with severe trauma. God will guide us through the processes and resources we need to heal us from the past if we seek His will.

Adopt a Gratitude Attitude

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The strongest antidote for anxious thoughts is being grateful. Develop a heart of gratitude by focusing on good thoughts. Maintain a daily gratitude journal listing as many as possible each day. This principle helps to combat anxiety and stress.

Spend Quiet Time with God

1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” When we are tired and weary, our minds are more susceptible to negative thoughts. Quiet time with God rejuvenates our mind. We gain clarity by shutting out the world and focusing on God’s strength, allowing the Lord to penetrate our minds with love and strength.

Choose God’s Strength Over Fear

John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.” Society teaches us to eliminate fear, believing we must tackle the challenge alone. It’s a false belief. When we are afraid, we should embrace the fear, focus on God’s strength, and do the scary thing with Him.

Fellowship with Others

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” Those who suffer with mental illness or emotional pain are not alone. However, it is common to isolate which amplifies loneliness. Being alone can encourage us to dwell on the pain and spiral deeper into depression. Although it may feel awkward, being with others who are empathetic can be uplifting and comforting. Find a church group, mentor, or relevant community group. Typically, discovering others who share similar challenges or experiences eases the burden.

In Conclusion

With God, all things are possible. There is hope and genuine power by battling mental health issues with Christian guidance. If we seek God, He will guide us to the appropriate scripture, mental health practitioners, pastors or any other resource He determines necessary for His beloved followers.

Be encouraged and seek God’s help. He is always with us.

Sources:

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/reaching-faithful

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/encouraging-truths-mental-illness/