JESUS & MENTAL HEALTH
JESUS & MENTAL HEALTH
By: Jack Guyler
Jesus modeled good mental health practices. Often when large crowds were calling for Him to do one more thing, He slipped away to pray and renew Himself. He also talked about mental health and finding health and wholeness. Listen to His words:
The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
What I hear in these words is compassion, understanding, love and a God who wants to rescue us from all of the things that steal our souls away from the God who created us, including things like distractions, addictions, oppression and disappointments.
Listen to these words from Jesus:
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light
What do you feel when you hear these words? I hear words speaking to my feelings of being overwhelmed, stressed-out and weary. I see a God who cares for my restless and weary soul. I don’t see a God who is out to condemn me or punish me for not reaching the bottom line of perfect obedience. I see a God who understands how tough this life can be. That we are all broken down and in need of rest, empathy, and strength. I hear a God who wants to lighten my many mental, emotional and spiritual burdens.
One of the things I see that so burdens and weighs people down is the idea that God is against them or out to get them for the things they have done wrong. Now it is true that the “wages of sin is death.” The principle of sowing and reaping is in play. However, the God of grace offers the “free gift of life and eternal life.” Many of us are doing life, but we aren’t living life. We aren’t enjoying life because we are in too much pain. And while it is true we will have trouble and pain in this life, God also wants us to enjoy Him, the loved ones He has given us and the things He has given to us in the midst of sometimes painful circumstances.
If you are feeling weary and burdened, which we all do at times, I invite you to look into the God who was revealed in Jesus Christ. Take time for yourself to read the Gospel accounts of Him and pray to Him and see if you find Him to be real for yourself. I also would invite you to reach out for professional help if you need help carrying emotional, spiritual or mental burdens. They together with God can help you align yourself in a healthier way with the peace that Jesus offers to each of us.
