Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
I recently attended a high quality very professional and deeply spiritual conference on mental health. I spoke a few moments with the well-known and respected convener of the conference and expressed my surprise that there were only about 50 church leaders at this vital event. I had expected it to be very well attended. He answered with a half-smile. “This is about normal. We find that many churches, especially those that appeal to conservatives, are not comfortable with the idea that Christians can have mental health issues. In fact, research shows that 66% of pastors have never preached a message about mental health struggles.”
That’s a heartbreaking head-in-the-sand perspective when mental health is recognized in general society as the biggest health issue of our day. Mental health conditions can cause difficulties in all aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends, and community. Those with mental health issues are more susceptible to facing other health challenges, including dangerous cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. People with depression have a 40% higher risk of developing these conditions, while people with serious mental illness are nearly twice as likely. And then there’s the upwardly rising suicide and addiction rates, specifically in the young.
Take heart. God, our Creator, our Father, cares deeply about our mental health. In the Bible, the words heart, mind, spirit, and soul are used interchangeably, and every single time God’s understanding of our brokenness, pain, and opportunity for healing comes through. He knows us intimately, loves us tenderly, works with us powerfully to bring us improved health in every way. It is common among Christian believers to pray for physical healing and relational healing. We want to see our bodies healed and our relationships come to health. Why would we not also bring our mental and emotional issues to God? Mental health opens wide possibilities for improved health physically and relationally.
If you have any question that God cares about your anxiety, your stress, or your mental health, listen to David. Psalm 139 is his burst of joy and confidence when he realized that God knew every single thing about him already and was completely committed to him. There was no place he could go, no action he could take, no thought he could think that would dissuade God from His care and action on his behalf. To say I don’t ever have anxiety is a denial of my humanity. To think anything else is a denial of who God is.
- Father, thank You for Your deep love and concern for me. All of me is known by You. Today You know my anxious thoughts. Help me sort true from false and trust You.