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My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:26 NIV
In This Weekly Devotional:
In some Christian communities, there can be a stigma around having a mental illness or struggling with mental health issues.1 Unfortunately, this can make it even more difficult for Christians facing mental illness to seek the help and resources they need. It is important that as believers we understand the facts about mental health and do not disregard the prevalence of mental illness.
Mental illness is a term used to encompass many different mental disorders. For example, anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD are some types of mental illnesses. Having a mental illness is relatively common with one-fifth of Americans experiencing mental illness each year.2 Over one-half of adults are diagnosed with some sort of mental disorder or illness during their lifetime.2
There are many different factors that contribute to mental illness, but there is no one cause. Biological factors, trauma, medical conditions, chemical imbalances, drugs, alcohol and loneliness can all play a part.2 Family history of mental illnesses and high stress situations are also risk factors.3
Fortunately for those struggling with mental illness, there is hope and help. Many symptoms of mental illness are manageable with the right resources, and people diagnosed with mental illness may live fulfilling lives. Talking with a doctor or therapist and forming healthy habits, such as getting adequate sleep, can help with the symptoms of mental illness.3
Yes, Christians do experience mental illness. Christian faith and mental health struggles can both be present for believers. Just as a Christian may face a physical illness or injury, so they may also face a mental one. After Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis and the Fall, hardship, pain and struggle has been a part of the world for both believers and non-believers alike.
Experiencing a mental illness does not mean that someone is spiritually immature or that they are living a punishment for their actions or that they do not pray enough. Even in the Bible, we can see the struggle with mental health issues. For example, many people believe that the prophet Elijah may have battled with depression in 1 Kings 19:4-14. There are also other figures who are believed to have suffered from mental illness, including David and Jonah.4
A recent Lifeway Research study found that 26% of U.S. protestant pastors struggle with a mental illness personally.5 Even faith leaders are not immune from mental health problems. This helps show that mental illness is not a reflection of the person or their actions. Rather, just a reminder of the state of the imperfect world we live in.
Mental health and mental illness are not the same thing. Mental health relates to emotional, psychological and social well-being.1 A person may experience poor mental health without being diagnosed with a mental illness. For example, different situations and outside pressures may result in someone going through a period of poor mental health. Similarly, someone with a mental illness may experience periods of positive well-being and good mental health.2
Taking care of your mental health may look different at different points in life. Perhaps, some people take care of their mental health by ensuring a consistent bedtime and wake up time. For others, it could be eating three fulfilling meals a day.
For some, it could be spending quiet time in God’s Word away from busyness and distractions. At times, it could be getting together with friends and family members. It could also mean talking with a mental health professional or attending a support group.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. — Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Whether you’ve struggled with mental illness for a long time, or you have recently seen a decline in your mental health, there is hope. Here are some encouraging reminders for Christians struggling with mental illness:
We love because he first loved us. — 1 John 4:19 NIV
You are loved, in the midst of the good times and the bad times. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” (Romans 5:8). God is love and his love is not conditional. He created us and values us.
God also puts people in our lives who love us. He called us as believers to love one another and care about one another. However, no earthly love could ever compare to the love he has for us and we can cling to that in the midst of our struggles.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. — Matthew 28:20 NIV
When we become Christians, we are adopted into his family. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ” (John 1:12). We have brothers and sisters in Christ who also are going through similar experiences. It is important to remember even in the hardest times, we are never alone and there are many other people who are also learning how to live with their mental health situations.
“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 18:24). Even when we are at our loneliest and feel we have hit rock bottom emotionally, God has not abandoned us.
He is with us each and every day. Mental illness can make us feel lonely and isolated. However, even when our emotions are strong and the loneliness feels at its worst, we are not alone.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
There are a lot of stigmas surrounding Christianity and mental health and sometimes it can lead to Christians feeling like they are not good enough or are failing due to a mental illness. However, having a mental illness is not a sin and in no way means you are weak. Facing a mental illness takes strength and courage each day.
It is also important to remember that nothing we do saves us, whether we have a mental illness or not. It is God’s grace and gift of salvation for us that we can truly have confidence in.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. — Romans 12:12 NIV
If you are struggling with a mental illness, remember there is hope and help. There are mental health professionals who are equipped with tools to help reduce the symptoms of mental illness as well as help connect you with resources that can benefit you.
Although not all churches have mental health resources, some do offer Christian counseling opportunities as well as other outreach ministry for those recovering from mental health struggles.
Ultimately, our hope comes from God and his promises. He is the one with power and authority in our lives. However, we should take advantage of the knowledgeable people he has put in our lives.
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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. — Ephesians 4:2 NIV
For those in the church who have not personally experienced mental illness, it can be hard to relate or understand the struggles of those who have. Here are some ways you can love and care for those struggling with mental illness:
Are you interested in learning more about faith and mental health? Consider exploring psychology and counseling degree programs at Grand Canyon University (GCU), such as the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Christian Counseling. These degrees are designed to teach you how to serve others within your community. For more information on GCU’s Christian mission, fill out the form on this page.
1 Robertson, G. (2021, October 15). How I Dealt With Mental Health Discrimination in the Church. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved on June 1, 2023.
2 CDC. (2021, June 28). About Mental Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April, 18, 2023.
3 Mayo Clinic Staff (2022, Dec. 13). Mental Illness. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
4 McDaniel, D. (2021, Mar. 21). 7 Bible Figures Who Struggled with Depression. Crosswalk. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
5 Earls, A. (2022, Aug. 2). Pastors Have Congregational and, for Some, Personal Experience With Mental Illness. Lifeway Research. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
Approved by the local outreach coordinator of the Office of Spiritual Life on June 1, 2023.
