No matter where you look today, it seems mental health, specifically poor mental health, is a topic of conversation.
As believers, we know our joy comes from the Lord. Proverbs 17:22 affirms that “a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
We also know we live in a broken world, and our joy can be stolen by financial hardships, relational conflicts, grief and many other challenges. How can we focus on Christ and allow our mental health to be transformed by Him?
4 tips
Here are four tips that can help:
Surround yourself with good Christian friends who support you with godly love. The crippled man in Matthew 9:1–8 was carried to Jesus by people who cared about Him. They cared about him enough that they moved the top of a house to get him in front of Jesus. Your circle of friends matters. When you are crippled mentally, God can place Christian friends in your life to bring you to Him.
Take time for yourself. Too often people are bogged down with taking care of others, getting tasks done at work and tackling chores. While you do not need to neglect the people around you, you also don’t need to neglect yourself. Find time for yourself to read, work out or just relax with a cup of hot coffee or tea.
Practice biblical meditation. Meditation is the practice of becoming more observant of one’s internal and external circumstances. The practice is known to reduce anxiety and improve sleep, among other benefits. But sometimes Christians hear the word “meditate” with a negative connotation, thinking of Eastern religions that emphasize a spiritual awakening that comes from another deity or from themselves rather than Christ.
Meditating on Scripture
Rosilind Jukic, founder of the website A Little R&R, discusses how Christians should be cautious of practices that encourage emptying your mind, which can allow sinful thoughts to enter in and distract from a focus on God.
But many verses in the Bible include a directive to meditate on God’s Word (e.g., Josh. 1:8, Ps. 143:5 and Ps. 119). In these verses, to meditate implies to “spend time with,” “think about” and “ponder.” Spending time with God’s Word is a proper form of meditation that can lead to improved mental health. Several apps, including Abide, Glorify and Let God, are available to encourage Bible-based meditation.
Make a list of things you are grateful for. There are many verses that speak on the reasons we should be grateful for the day and the things God has placed in our lives. Psalm 118:24 reads, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Embrace what God has given you.
Will making such a list instantly remove all stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health issues from your life? No. But they will serve as a reminder during the dark times.
Joyful moments
Some people find it helpful to keep a journal of joyful moments from the day as a way to acknowledge that God gives not just the day, but every moment in the day.
Research on gratitude practices shows this has a stress-buffering effect, and reducing stress has a plethora of health benefits. Use this as an encouragement to show gratitude to the Lord.
It is important to acknowledge that there are many mental health issues that benefit from treatment with counselors, therapists and physicians. The evil one will say you are alone in your mental health struggle, but as a follower of Jesus, you are never alone. Other Christians are with you, and most importantly, God is with you. Find the help you need, and be assured you are not diminished in Christ’s eyes because you need help.
If you know of a brother or sister in Christ who is struggling with mental health, pray for them, walk alongside them and show you care.
Read more here:
https://thealabamabaptist.org/benefits-of-good-physical-health-extend-into-family-community-life/
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