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May is Mental Health Month – What Does the Bible Say?

May 12, 2011 By Dale Fletcher 2 Comments

mental health month spiritMay has been recognized as Mental Health Month by many organizations for several years – and this year is no exception. Mental Health America is recognized by the US government as the lead agency for this national observance.

Live Your Life Well is a campaign that Mental Health America is conducting to raise awareness and educate people about mental health issues. They’ve put together 10 Tools to Live Your Life Well and they suggest that these tools are based on extensive scientific evidence, and that they can help you relax, grow and flourish.
Here’s a listing of their tools.

10 Tools to Live Life Well

  1. Connect with others
  2. Stay positive
  3. Get physically active
  4. Help others
  5. Get enough sleep
  6. Create joy and satisfaction
  7. Eat well
  8. Take care of your spirit
  9. Deal better with hard times
  10. Get professional help if you need it

More about each tool can be read on their website.

In my opinion, they’ve done a fairly nice job of discussing some of the basics concerning the link between spirituality, stress and health with number 8 – Take Care of Your Spirit. (The link will take you to that section of their site.) The following two lists come from their site.

Spirituality can provide a:

    • reassuring belief in a greater force or being
    • sense of purpose and meaning
    • focus on your own or universal wisdom
    • way to understand suffering
    • connection with others
    • reminder of the good in the world

Consider some of the science on religion and spirituality:

    • People who meditate have increased activity in a “feel-good” area of the brain
    • People with strong religious beliefs recovered faster from heart surgery than people with weaker faith
    • People who didn’t attend religious services died significantly younger than those who attended more than once a week

Let’s look at some of God’s truths and guidelines found in the Bible regarding mental health and living life well:

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” Proverbs 14:30

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:13

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

“Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8

“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:22-23

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

“He (God) helps the brokenhearted and binds their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

“You, Lord, give perfect peace even in turmoil to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens 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.” Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus in John14:27

It’s a good thing that organizations like Mental Health America put a monthly focus on mental health as it does aid in bringing attention to all Americans, and people throughout the world, what they can do for those who suffer from mental health issues, and it also reminds us how we can proactively care for ourselves.

Even better news is that God inspired the authors of the various books of the Bible to share His truths and principles about caring for our emotional and mental health.

Be well.

Additional Resources on Emotional Health

Scriptures for Health, Wellness and Wholeness

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Comments

  1. Jewel Thompson says

    August 16, 2014 at 6:51 PM

    As a Psychotherapist I found all of the material very helpful and spiritual interventions that can be used when working with members suffering with depression.

    Reply
    • Dale Fletcher says

      August 16, 2014 at 8:24 PM

      I’m glad you found the site helpful.

      Reply

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