“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps 73:26). “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps 147:3). “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt 5:4). “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7)
One of the ways that God shows us that he cares for our mental health is by providing us with the things we need - a great therapist, access to medication, time with Him, a good support system, or all of the above. Loving God with our minds can mean utilizing some of these things he provides.
Saviano says Christians typically view mental illness as a spiritual problem, assuming iniquity in the person's life led to the difficulties. “They don't recognize it can be a real biological illness that causes brain chemicals to be off balance,” Saviano says.
One of the best bible verses about emotional pain is found in John 16:33, which says “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV).
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
“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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The Good News: Dealing with depression can be scary. But this verse reminds you that with God on your side, there's nothing to fear.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Sin is very real, but to say that mental illness is a sin, or is solely caused by sin is not biblical.
It was certainly present in ancient times and the Bible makes specific reference to several cases. King Saul, the first king of Israel, was repeatedly afflicted by what we would probably term clinical depression today.
Psalm 40:1-3
In this, and other Scriptures for depression, we're reminded that God is always near to the brokenhearted. No matter how deep the pit of despair you're in, God can lift you out. Just as He did for David, God can set you back on a path towards hope and He will steady you whenever you start to stumble.
In sum, prayer can have a positive impact on recovery from mental illness and also on the well-being of people without mental illness.
A Christian Prayer for Peace of Mind
Lord Jesus, we ask you to give us all around peace in our mind, body, soul and spirit. We want you to heal and remove everything that is causing stress, grief, and sorrow in our lives. Please guide our path through life and make our enemies be at peace with us.
feel isolated — disinterested in the company of family and friends, or withdrawing from usual daily activities. feel overwhelmed — unable to concentrate or make decisions. be moody — feeling low or depression; feeling burnt out; emotional outbursts of uncontrollable anger, fear, helplessness or crying.
Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
In Romans 5:3-5, we are taught that through seasons of suffering, God will produce in us endurance, character, and hope which will then enhance our ability to enjoy the love of God which the Holy Spirit has placed within our hearts.
In spite of Saul's condition he continued to command in battle and rage war with the Philistines. But Saul's PTSD symptoms worsened further and, during yet another panic attack, Saul tried to kill David in his home, again with his spear. Later Saul experienced a rage attack wherein he almost killed his son Jonathan.
NIV Bible scriptures on stress
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Similarly, instead of feeling victorious, Elijah felt hopeless, alone and afraid. He had low self-esteem and wanted to die. He wanted to sleep and had to be encouraged to get up and nourish himself. Elijah, a prophet, Biblical hero, and person of faith, was seriously depressed.
The possibility of Samson having been an autistic would predate the first known case of autism by centuries. The book of Judges, in Chapter 13 talks about Manoah and his wife, and the child promised to them by God: the child who is named Samson.
Depression is associated with sin because people experiencing depression are seen to lack some of the spiritual fruits that are regarded as evidence of genuine Christian faith: When dealing with people in the church... some see mental illness as a weakness —a sign you don't have enough faith.
Let me reiterate, the feeling of anxiety itself is not a sin, just as having the feeling of fear is not a sin. Throughout Scripture, God is not concerned that we never have certain feelings. Rather, he's concerned with how we respond to those feelings.
Bipolar is a very extreme, but healing is possible. The bible does not talk about bipolar, but it does talk about the war going on in our body and our heart.
LOVING GOD, YOU ARE ALWAYS NEAR TO US, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE WEAK, SUFFERING AND VULNERABLE. Reach out to those who experience mental illness. Lift their burdens, calm their anxiety, and quiet their fears. Surround them with your healing presence that they may know that they are not alone.
Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those challenged by serious and chronic mental and emotional illnesses. Give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” This bible verse for depression calls for anyone dealing with depression to talk to God about them.