Running out of Kleenexes that you start drowning your couch in tears. Anguish bubbling in the cavities of your spirit, unable to dispel the argumentative thoughts in your mind. A heart full of sorrow, not remembering to eat to nourish your body, your strength dwindling. Feeling less than human, cannot emotionally connect to those around you. Decision making seems like going to war itself, becoming next to impossible, heavy, not focusing. Persistent glimpses of death appear in your dreams, in your waking hours.
Sound familiar? Everything I described is actually straight out of the Bible (Kleenexes may or may not be ad-lib). King David himself appeared to have struggled with what in modern day is referred to as Major Depressive Disorder. The Psalms are riddled with his constant cries to the Lord, asking for strength and deliverance from his on-going symptoms.
It is interesting to note that the “man after God’s own heart” felt the debilitating effects of a mental illness for many years of his life, though so often Christians who struggle with depression or another mental illness (i.e.-anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, trauma disorders, etc.) feel ostracized by the church at large. Those who struggle have often been met with the advice that their faith is too weak, that they have unaddressed sin in their life preventing them from experiencing healing, or even that they are demon possessed.
There are many components of spirituality and mental health that are difficult to explain, even by experts, therefore the topic must be approached with humility, gentleness, and respect for differing interpretations. Below are what I believe to be two critical points in approaching the topic of mental health and how it coincides with our faith.
- Illness is a result of sin, even for the believer, but it doesn’t equate punishment
As Christians, we believe in the fall of man (Genesis 3). Sin entered, entangled, reproduced, and cursed the earth. We know that those who are in Christ are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) however, this does not mean we are completely guarded from the earthly effects of sin. Romans 8:22-23 speaks to the continued groaning of all of creation, “as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” While on this earth, we can expect to be greeted with ailments in our physical bodies, including our mental well-being, while waiting to one day be completely redeemed. Though cancer is a result of sin entering the world, it does not mean the person diagnosed is possessed by a demon, not confessing their sin, or is not praying “hard enough” to be healed by God. In the same way, a person with a mental health disorder may be experiencing the result of sin entering the world, rather than being punished directly for having “weak” faith.
- Mental health awareness is essential to the church
It is estimated that people who struggle with mental illness are more likely to reach out to their clergy (or faith community) prior to contacting a mental health professional (Stanford, 2017). Those with mental illness may often feel rejected, confused, frustrated, and overwhelmed. It is essential that the church responds to those who struggle with compassion, assistance, and direction to the most appropriate resources. As 1 John 3:17 states “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” If a person who is struggling approaches us and we tell them we care, however we do nothing to alleviate their pain, we are doing the opposite of what we are called as Christians to do. Some practical ways to assist someone who has a mental illness are to listen without judgment, offer prayer, and follow up with direction, such as helping them locate a licensed therapist, connecting them to a Christian support group that focuses on mental illness (our church offers one!), educating yourself on their specific diagnosis (like reading books or even Google searches), and encouraging them to further discuss potential medication options with their medical provider. You do not have to be a mental health expert to help; anyone has the opportunity to actively and tangibly show love to a neighbor.
It is difficult to touch on all aspects of mental health and faith in a single blog post, though starting with small discussions can further lead to growth and recovery. What are your thoughts on mental health and how it connects to your faith? What do you think are tangible ways you can assist someone who has a mental illness? What reasons do you think Christians have for being uncomfortable with the subject, if any?
Written by Betsy Wagoner
(Betsy attends our church and works in the mental health field. We are thankful to have her share with us on this vital area of ministry.)
References
Stanford, Matthew. (2017 revised). Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness. Downer’s Grove, IL. Intervarsity Press.
Thank you so much for talking openly about this very difficult subject. The church should be a hospital where the sick can be well cared for, but it ends up being a zoo where the “unlovable” feel on display as if they’re a danger to be touched or fed. Maybe this will help open the door for people to get the healing they need, and for the well to use their hands and feet to be that healing.