A Theology of Mental Health
As Christians, we believe that everything God created is good. From rolling hills, to hummingbirds, to human beings, God created everything with inherent purpose and value. Even though God created everything good, the entrance of sin into the world negatively impacted all of creation. While we can still see traces of God’s goodness all around and within us, we also deal with the effects of sin on a daily basis. Suffering, death, and decay surround us, yet we hold onto hope that God will restore His creation in due time. Paul sums this reality up well in Romans 8:20–21:
Against its will, all creation is subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
Paul goes on to remind us in verse 23 what type of redemption humans uniquely long for:
We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly [for]…the redemption of our bodies.
The redemption of our bodies. Just like every other aspect of creation, our bodies, including our minds, long for God’s healing touch. Even though our bodies are a good gift from God, they are also the source of some of our greatest pain and suffering. Our vulnerability to sickness and disease, our body’s inability to preserve itself past a certain age, and the mental health issues many of us face all point to our desperate need for bodily redemption.
When addressing the topic of mental illness, it’s important to remember that most people have little to no control over the circumstances that create this type of suffering. Genetics, environmental factors, and past trauma are often at play in a single mental health diagnosis, reminding us to hold compassion for one another in our various bodily struggles. Just like God calls us to have compassion for our neighbor battling cancer, we are equally called to carry compassion for our friend battling bipolar disorder or our cousin plagued by anorexia nervosa. All are symptoms of sick bodies that need the Great Physician’s healing touch.
While people do not choose to struggle with serious mental health conditions, they are free to choose the extent to which they seek healing and/or relief from these ailments. God can bring about relief and/or healing through multiple means including medicine, counseling/therapy, spiritual disciplines, healthy community, miracles, etc. We believe it’s in God’s nature to heal, and we praise Him for the multiple means by which He may do so. While God may provide temporary relief in these ways, He will not fully heal our bodies in this lifetime. People facing a multiple sclerosis diagnosis may not experience a physical miracle, and people praying that God would relieve them of schizophrenia may carry the weight of that illness their entire lives. Even when God doesn’t answer our specific prayers for healing, we can still trust in His goodness and ability to turn our present suffering into future glory (Romans 8:18). If and when God chooses to intervene in a miraculous way, we praise Him for doing so and take it as a sign of the ultimate miracle to come for His people: resurrected life, when our bodies are physically, mentally, and spiritually healed at last. Until then, we hold compassion for each other and an unshakeable hope in the full bodily restoration to come.
A pastoral response to mental health
Our theology, or beliefs about God, has a direct impact on how we interact with those around us. As we encounter people who are wrestling with their mental health, our theology should lead us towards a compassionate response. If you find yourself in a conversation with someone who opens up about their mental health struggles, here are some pastoral pointers to guide that conversation:
First and foremost, listen! The best pastors are the best listeners. We don’t want to force people to share more than they’re ready to share, but listening well and asking good follow up questions makes people feel seen and valued. As this person unpacks their pain and experience, silently ask the Holy Spirit to give you guidance and discernment as you listen and respond.
Avoid phrases like “just choose joy” and “worry less”. While these phrases are often spoken with good intent, they oversimplify a complex issue and imply that our lack of spiritual maturity is the cause of our mental health issues. Instead, remind the person that there are plenty of Christians who struggle with their mental health and that this struggle does not disqualify them from God’s grace. Our standing with God is dependent on the sacrifice of Jesus alone, not on our ever-changing emotional state.
Remind them that it’s in God’s nature to heal, but avoid making promises about what healing in this area of their lives might look like. Some avenues of healing, like medication, may work for some but not all. The majority of people who struggle with their mental health find that their path to healing/relief involves multiple forms of intervention. If they express interest in medication or counseling, encourage them to visit their primary care doctor and/or make them aware of counseling options (if they are a minor, encourage them to talk to their parents first).
Mental health issues are complex! It’s always okay (and encouraged) to tell someone who is struggling with their mental health the following: “I know mental health issues are complex, and I don’t have all the answers, but I am committed to walking alongside you and reminding you of God’s heart as you navigate this struggle.”
As you navigate conversations around mental health, remember that it’s not our job to “fix” people. More than anything, our role is to listen well, pray often, and help them discern God’s presence in the midst of their pain and suffering.
