We’ve all heard the words before.
“Just have more faith, it’ll be okay.”
But is it really okay? No. When people of great faith fight battles that don't seem to go away, is it truly a weakness of belief in God's power on their behalf? I know many people who fit into this category, and I know for certain that their faith is not too small, nor is God too weak. The reality is that a lot of God-fearing Christians struggle with mental health battles, and are largely misunderstood in the place that they should be supported and understood the most. I wish this statement wasn't true. We, the body of Christ, are called to be His hands and feet, but more often then not those hands hurt the wounded and the feet drive the misunderstood away. Why is this the case? Is it a simple misunderstanding, or a choice by many to remain ignorant to the truth? The answer is both.
The subject of mental health is already often confusing to a lot of people, especially if they’ve never experienced a mental illness firsthand or had a family member or friend battle it. Because of that fact, many don’t understand it or regard it as an actual illness, but that doesn’t make ignorance okay. Especially in the body of Christ.
The Bible is clear that the mind is powerful, and it is chock-full with scriptures describing it as the battlefield where true wars are waged. It should be noted that in Matthew 22:37, Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." We know a lot about the spiritual importance of the heart and soul, as both of these have strong symbolic meaning in the Word, but what about the mind? Why would the mind be mentioned alongside these two if it wasn't just as important? The reality is that we are so quick to question the heart and intent of a subject, but intent doesn't reside in the heart alone. Intent also is borne of the mind. The mind is where the greatest battles take place, and it is a critical weapon in our arsenal...the problem is that we have no idea how impactful it is, or how to use it. In 2 Corinthians 1:4-5, it says "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." That doesn't sound like a petty circumstance to me. The Bible is clear that we as Christians must take our thoughts captive and train our thoughts onto Christ. Much like a soldier who prepares for battle, we are charged with the task of guarding our hearts and minds.
So, what does all of this have to do with mental illness? Well, I'm glad you asked. The stigma that mental illness is simply an attention-seeking pity grab has been a long-lasting one. I still to this day run into people who don't believe that mental illnesses are real. Others, that counseling is a sham. Sadly, I've run into many people in the church who adhere to these beliefs, and it deeply saddens me. As Christ followers, we of all people should understand that because the mind is such a powerful weapon, the enemy is going to do everything he can to attack it. Now, let me be clear, I am not saying that mental illnesses are purely spiritual. Just as the body can experience a cold of the flu, the mind can experience real sickness, too. Yes, the Word is powerful and God is mightier then any ailment, but that doesn't mean that we should pass off a very real sickness for fiction.
Now, I'm not attacking anyone or attempting to condemn. My heart behind this article is to educate. I myself do not fight a mental illness, and I know that sounds strange. Don't people who actually struggle with something speak up about it? If I don't fight it, what could I possibly have to say? A whole lot more then one might actually think. The reality is that more people need to raise awareness, and more people need to take a stand for what's right. I'm no hero or champion in any regard, but I don't like any kind of bully...especially bullies that have names such as depression and anxiety. Many of my friends fight these two illnesses, and by being there for them and supporting them, I've learned a whole lot. I see what helps them...but I also see what hurts them. The sad truth is that more things hurt then heal, and a lot of people don't understand what they actually face on a daily basis. I myself only have a glimpse into the life of someone who has to wake up every morning wishing that they didn't. The kind of pain that is a constant in their lives. I've seen them hurt by the church, and so burnt out by it all that they've almost walked from their faith. But also, I have seen such an incredible strength, as well as a courageous trust in God despite that pain. The kind of strength that makes you blink in unbelief when they get back up despite the blood on their lip and still keep fighting.
The reality is that if the world thinks those who fight with a mental illness are weak, those people have never seen true strength. They also don't understand true faith. Paul certainly understood it, and 2 Corinthians 12:10 clearly explains this, "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." True strength is found when we lay aside our own pride and glory and surrender those desires to Christ. Instead of adhering to pious religion, we as Christians must lay aside our own desires to take up Christ. The problem is that a lot of people like 'playing Christian' but don't actually ever serve the God they say they love so much. When the heart is lukewarm, there's no conviction. And when there's no conviction, there's no standard. And when there's no standard...there's no true alliance. Thankfully, that doesn't have to be the case. God wants His people to turn to Him, He desires for us to walk with Him in this path called life. God is loving, and we are never alone. A truly wonderful scripture comes to mind when I think of the pain this world is riddled with. In Psalms 73:26, it says, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Also, in Isaiah 40:29, we are reminded that, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
I am well aware that I could easily be addressing both sides of this subject in this article, and that's okay. I want to encourage, but also to educate. If you're struggling with any form of mental illness, please take heart, and know that you're not as alone as you think you are. You're a fighter...and you've made it this far. God loves you, and He hasn't abandoned you, even in the darkest moments when you feel like you have nothing left. Just wait, and hang on a little longer; you're closer to the light then you know. Perhaps you're in the same situation as myself, maybe someone you love is fighting this war, and you want to do everything you can to help. Please believe me when I say this; you ARE helping, and what you do DOES make a difference. Don't let your fears, discouragement, and even weariness wear you down. Remember that God is your strength, and that you are loved. Maybe, just maybe, you've even lost someone along the way to suicide. I won't even dare to say that I understand exactly how that feels, but I was very close to having my life altered forever, had God not intervened in a dear friend's life just in time. Please know that God understands your pain, and in that hurt, turn to Him for comfort and love that only the Almighty can provide. And finally, if you are unsure or skeptical that mental illnesses are real, I encourage you to do some research. Ask some questions, and be willing to look at it with an open mind. You might be surprised by what you discover. God loves you dearly, and He wants you to walk in truth. Every single one of you are precious in God's eyes, no matter what you're going through, or what you have faced. Because at the end of the day, as long as we have Christ, we are never truly alone. And now, it's our job to tell the hurting world of God's redemptive, healing love.
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