When we consider the subject of mental illness, we are speaking of a very broad range of disorders, from mild depression to schizophrenia. Simply put, mental illness is a condition that impairs a person’s ability to think, feel, process, and respond to life situations in appropriate ways. The human brain is the control center of our bodies; when this is off, everything else is affected and can lead to hurtful or harmful thoughts and actions. Mental illnesses can distort our view of God and of those in our lives. Sometimes, mental illnesses contribute to our sinful behavior. But the good news is that God is a compassionate God who sees our struggles and is able to help us learn to manage mental illness and even bring help, healing, and hope!
The truth is that many do not yet fully understand mental illness. There can be multiple causes of mental illness. Some of those causes can be hereditary; others can be hormonal or chemical imbalances. Many factors such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep affect mental health. In most cases, professional counseling, proper medication, and competent therapy can help alleviate those symptoms. Some mental illnesses are brought on by traumatic events or abuse in childhood and, once again, must be carefully treated.
There is another factor that is often overlooked. Many times, what we call mental illness has a spiritual component, and if left unaddressed, it keeps a person in bondage. We are created in the image of God. He is a triune Being—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. He has created us in His image: spirit, soul, and body. As those created in God’s image, we have life that is unlike the life of animals or plants. Acts 17:28 informs us that, “In him we live and move and have our being.” The Bible also teaches us that without Christ in our lives, we are separated from God and all that He desires us to enjoy, which comes from knowing Him and being in a relationship with Him. In fact, the Bible teaches us that without this relationship, we are dead in our trespasses and sin, meaning that we are spiritually dead and we cannot live as whole beings (Ephesians 2:1-3). There is a void, and often we try to fill it with other things. But those things ultimately fail us and can contribute to mental illness. The first step in becoming spiritually whole is to recognize our need and to receive eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. The moment we receive Christ, He quickens our spirit, meaning that we are made alive in Christ and become a new creation (Ephesians 2:4-10). But even for those people who have a relationship with God through the Lord Jesus, we still sometimes have misperceptions about who God is. When we do not understand that we are His workmanship (or His masterpiece), it can have a negative impact on us and affect the way we see ourselves and others (Ephesians 2:10). Sin can also get in the way of our fellowship with God and negatively affect our mental health. This is why Christians are told to keep short accounts with our God and Father (1 John 1:3-9). We are better equipped to handle mental illness when we are saturated in God’s truth and in an active relationship with Him.
Many use Deuteronomy 28:28 to say mental illness is from God Himself: “The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart.” But we have to be careful about making such a broad statement. This might be true in the case of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:31-32, but what about the blind man in John 9:1-3? “As He passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” This underlines a very important principle: God allowed this blind man to suffer not as punishment for wrongdoing, but so His works might be displayed. This person’s affliction, which caused him years of hardship and shame, ultimately led to the Lord Jesus displaying His power, and the whole incident brought about the man’s salvation! The apostle Paul is another example of this. He pleaded with the Lord three times for the thorn in his side to be removed. The Lord used it to demonstrate, “my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Spiritual sickness is often a big part of mental illness. When our spirits are healed and whole, our minds can think clearly. A Scripture that most everyone knows is Psalm 23, which speaks of the Lord as our Shepherd. In verse 3, it reminds us that He is able to restore our soul. In Psalms 42 and 43, we read three times, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” But in Psalm 42:6, the Psalmist realizes the need to cry out to God: “O my God, my soul is cast down within me.” This is the key to help us with the discouragement that can lead to depression and despair. The well-known Charles Spurgeon once said, “The mind can descend far lower than the body, for in it there are bottomless pits. The flesh can bear only a certain number of wounds and no more, but the soul can bleed in ten thousand ways.” Throughout the Old Testament, we read of individuals who suffered with great discouragement, depression, or possibly despair. Men like Jonah, Elijah (1 Kings 19:4), or even David (Psalm 6:6-7; 32:3-4). We must caution here: not all mental illness is connected to sin. But much of what we call mental illness today can be caused by being away from or at a distance from God. Sins such as an unforgiving spirit (2 Corinthians 2:10–11), bitterness (Hebrews 12:15), fear and anxiety (Philippians 4:6–7), and low self-worth can all cripple our souls. It has been said that when our souls are wounded, we cannot think clearly.
The Lord Jesus often helped those who we might consider mentally ill, but at the same time, He recognized the demonic forces at work (Mark 1:34; Luke 11:14). In Mark 5:1-20, we are introduced to such a man. Many today would have considered this man to be mentally ill. This man dwelt in tombs, living with the dead. He often was chained by society, but no one could heal him, and he often would cut himself and cry out for help (Mark 5:3-5). But the Lord Jesus was able to heal him, and the result was this man was “in his right mind” (Mark 5:15). While not all mental illness is due to demonic involvement, there may be people diagnosed with mental illness today who are experiencing some sort of demonic influence. Such people need, first and foremost, the spiritual deliverance that surrendering to the Lord Jesus would offer them.
The Lord Jesus had compassion on those who were in need (Matthew 14:14), and so should we. Those who suffer with mental illness should not be judged; instead, we need to show them compassion and love by praying for them (James 5:14). We cannot assume that a mental illness is a result of sin or demonic influence; however, we should not ignore those possibilities when trying to help someone or when seeking help ourselves. Today, we have many ways to help those who suffer with mental illness, including medicine, Christian psychiatry, and counseling. This is an area in the body of Christ that is often neglected. But it ought to be an area that we seek the Lord’s help to encourage and strengthen those who struggle with mental illness.
Some Scriptures that might encourage us as we meditate on them could be Matthew 11:28-29; Romans 8:38-39; Psalm 34:17-18; Isaiah 40:31; 1 Peter 5:6-7. A good exercise is to read through the Psalms and listen to the heart of these godly men who struggled with discouragement, depression, and despair. As you read through, take note of how the Lord delivered them from this state of mind.