Surrendering Our Mental Health
by Christina Bledsoe
Early in adolescence, I realized I was more prone to melancholy than most of my friends. While girls my age were worried about their next date or prom dress, I was pondering environmental issues and how to pay for college or my next car repair. I wanted to be the bubbly girl who was invited to every party, but childhood experiences taught me life was not fair and I felt like no one could relate to my feelings of constant anxiety and depression.
As an adult, I am acutely aware that my brain functions differently than others. I have experienced bouts of major depression and live with a diagnosis of general anxiety disorder. While I never stop praying for God to relieve me of these burdens, I have settled into a life I hope is pleasing to Him.
Each person’s mental health struggle is different and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, I have personally found the following suggestions help provide a foundation on which to begin a path to finding God during the storm.
Find a Christian Counselor/Physician:
Check with your church for free counseling, classes, or groups that focus on mental health issues. Secular counselors provide excellent service, but nothing replaces a counselor who will lead you back to Scripture and God. It is always best to check in with a physician as some mood disorders require medical attention.
Find your people:
I never understood the phrase “doing life together” until recently. When my husband suggested we join a life group, I was hesitant. As a person with anxiety, just getting to meetings can be a trial and once there, participating can be exhausting. However, our life group has been consistent in showing up for one another and creating a family that I know I can trust.
Ask for prayer:
During a recent time of extreme depression, I found the courage to send a text to the women in my life group. I felt desperate for relief from the darkness that threatened to consume me, and I asked these women to pray for me. I held my breath as I hit send, then felt relief as I read their responses. Some shared their personal experience with anxiety and depression and for others it opened an avenue for discussion and support I did not know existed.
Surround yourself with God’s Word:
While conversations about anxiety and depression are being normalized, they are not new concepts. The Bible gives us encouragement and stories of people who wrestled with mental health.
Elijah battled depression, so God sent an angel to comfort him while he rested (1 Kings 19:1-9).
David regularly speaks of dark days and soul crushing anguish (Psalm 13:1-2, Psalm 34:17-18, Psalms 27, 39, 40…).
We are told to cast all our anxiety on Him (1 Peter 5:7).
We are told to not be anxious but to pray with thanksgiving, receiving God’s peace (Philippians 4:6-7).
In addition to biblical encouragement, I find listening to podcasts helpful in reminding me I am not alone in my walk. Two of my favorites are the Nothing is Wasted Podcast with Davey Blackburn and Jesus Calling Podcast with Sarah Young.
While I wish a prayer, verse, or blog post could provide relief from mental health struggles, I know my surrender to and following of Jesus is the only way I can handle those struggles. For myself and for so many others, I hold on to the promise found in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
