There’s a very healthy trend right now for people to talk about their mental health without shame. Personally, hearing that others are struggling like I am gives me peace of mind that what I’m going through is not just me. Often, people who share their struggles also talk about what helped them.
“God comforts us in all our afflictions, so that through the comfort we ourselves receive from God, we can comfort others in any affliction.” 2 Corinthians 1:4
When it comes to mental health, it’s important to seek help from your doctor if your struggles with depression, anxiety, or emotional disorders are interfering with your daily life.
Conversely, many of us experience events in our lives that cause stress, anxiety, and depression that are not chronic conditions, but we may have a tendency to “go for it” when things get difficult.
The story of the life and ministry of Jesus, the gospel story, can help alleviate such tendencies as we remember what God has done in the past and is still doing so much today.
There are several accounts of Jesus casting out demons. To be very clear, I am not saying that people who struggle with mental illness are possessed by demons. Rather, it suggests how much we suffer when we suffer from anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts, just as those who were tormented by demons suffered in Biblical times.
“And as soon as Jesus got out of the boat, a man possessed by an unclean spirit came out of the tomb. He lived in a tomb. And no one could bind him any more, not even chains. He was often bound with fetters and chains, but he tore the chains and shattered the fetters in pieces. No one had power over him. He was crying and cutting himself day and night in the tomb and on the mountain.”And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell before him, crying out with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? By God, do not torment me.” For they were saying, “Come out of him, you unclean spirit!”…And when they came to Jesus, they saw a man possessed by a demon, the one who was in charge of the legions, sitting there clothed and in his right mind…” Mark 5:1-8,15
This account shows that Jesus had such authority over unclean spirits that they recognized him as the Son of the Most High God.
What if, when we struggle with anxious, depressing, or intrusive thoughts, we remember that Jesus has authority over those thoughts, and that when we hold every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, we can destroy speculation and every lofty thing that is contrary to the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5)?
Satan is the father of lies and wants to build a stronghold of protection in our minds so that when difficult situations arise, we fall into anxious and depressing thoughts. But we have a gospel that tells us the truth. Jesus has authority over the things that trouble us. God calms us with His love.
The next time a difficult situation arises, seek the authority of Jesus to remove the lies from your heart and replace them with gospel truth.
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