Humans are complex beings. We have many different aspects, such as the physical, intellectual, social, spiritual, or emotional aspects. And each of those aspects affects all the other ones. For example, if a person is hungry, they may be unhappy and therefore sensitive. That is the physical affecting the emotional. As emotional beings, we can feel. And because of sin, we experience negative feelings that, if left unmanaged, can bother us, disturb our daily activities, and eventually destroy our lives. Recent research done by the University of Indonesia shows that 19% of young adults in Indonesia suffer from depression. Before the pandemic, it was only 3%. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 5 American adults lives with a mental illness. The World Health Organization says 1 in 4 people worldwide experience mental health issues.
In his book, "Deadly Emotions," Dr. Don Colbert explains how negative emotions impact our physical and mental health. They can lower our immune system and cause health problems. I also have seen how negative emotions affect our relationships with our spouses, children, friends, and even God. For example, people who have bitterness toward their fathers often have problems relating to their spouse and children and often have difficulty viewing God as their loving and caring Father God in heaven.
Therefore, starting today, I will begin a sermon series on "What the Bible Says About Emotional Problems," such as fear, anger, anxiety, stress, depression, grief, guilt, etc. Some people wonder if the Bible talks about emotional problems or mental illnesses. The Bible does not explicitly and specifically speak on them. We know that the Bible is not a science textbook or psychological manual like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. However, there are five essential things that you need to know:
1) The Bible does have a lot to say about the heart or mind and how we should guard them. For example, "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). "A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22).
2) The Bible talks about people who suffered from emotional problems and how to deal with them. The Bible is not afraid to talk about mental and emotional anguish. Look at Job or the psalms of lament, which compose the largest category of psalms. These are songs of people crying out to God in despair: "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted" (Psalm 25:16). "Why my soul, are you downcast, why are you so disturbed within me?" (Psalm 42:5).
The Bible also talks about the prophet Elijah, whose mental health suffered during his conflict with Queen Jezebel. Elijah fled the country to a place by himself where he wished to die (1 Kings 19:4). God dealt with Elijah's physical needs first, feeding him and giving him time to sleep (verses 5–6). God knew his journey was "too much" for him in his current state (verse 7). After Elijah rested and recharged physically, God gave him encouragement, a new purpose, and assistance (verses 15–18).
Jonah is another example of someone whose mental health was tied to the bad choices he made. Jonah wished for death after God spared Nineveh (Jonah 4:3)—a desire quite indicative of a depressive state. Leading up to that was Jonah's rebellion against God. He had directly disobeyed the Lord's command (Jonah 1:1–3), but even after God brought him back in line, his heart was not in tune with God's desires. Rather than marvel at God's mercy and praising Him for His grace, Jonah wished to die. Getting realigned with God was the only way Jonah's depression could ever end.
In some cases, outside spiritual forces have a direct effect on mental health. King Saul suffered distress as a result of an evil spirit tormenting him (1 Samuel 16:14). He only found relief when David played the lyre for him, and "the spirit from God came on Saul" (verse 23).
In the New Testament, we see an example of demon-related mental illness of the man from the Gerasene who lived naked among the tombs and constantly cried out and cut himself (Mark 5:1–5). After Jesus cast the demons out of him, the man was "in his right mind" (verse 15). The spiritual battle had been won, and the man's mental health was restored.
The world is in a fallen state (Genesis 3). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2), corrupting creation as it groans for freedom from its state of decay (Romans 8:21–22). The fall of humankind has had physical ramifications for the body and spiritual effects on the soul. Mental health is not guaranteed any more than physical health is, and, like the body, the mind can get sick or injured.
3) The Bible gives some guidelines on attaining and retaining good mental health. For example, The Lord is the One who renews the mind (Romans 12:2). "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple" (Psalm 19:7). We have a description of the healthy thought life in Philippians 4:8 that says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." We have Jesus' example of taking breaks from the busyness of life to focus on spiritual matters (Luke 5:16), and He called His disciples to do the same (Mark 6:31). We have Paul's acknowledgment that physical exercise is profitable (1 Timothy 4:8). Self-care, both physical and spiritual, is a necessity.
4) The Bible shows that God cares for those who suffer. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:17-20 - When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.). He invites those who labor and are heavily laden to come to Him: Matthew 11:28-30 – "Come to me, all who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
He restores the soul (Psalm 23:3). We have a personal Savior who experiences emotions. As you suffer the effects of mental illness, you can remember the nearness of Christ. He weeps with you as he wept with Lazarus's family (John 11:35). He knew the resurrecting work he was about to do, but he sobbed with anger anyway. Likewise, he knows how he will work in and through your life, and he is with you in the midst of it. The Bible promises that God will help us in trouble: Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." He gives us peace: John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
5) The Bible promises that God works all things together for the good of His children (Romans 8:28). The testing of faith produces endurance and maturity (James 1:2–4). Mental health struggles, while they are challenging, are not pointless. The Bible clearly shows how God can and does use them for His glory.
Conclusion:
God wants us to have a healthy life, physically, spiritually, and mentally. But because we still live in this fallen world, we can still suffer physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Thank God he cares for us. He sees us when we suffer. He understands our pain and struggles, and He shows us how to deal with them. He stretches out His hand to support and heal us, whether through medicine, counselors, applying biblical principles, or his miraculous works. Psalm 30:11 - You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
1 Peter 5:10 - And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Therefore, we should not lose hope. Next Sunday will learn what the Bible says about Fear.
