MENTAL HEALTH AND THE CHURCH

 There is a difference between mental illness and mental health. Mental illness is a medical condition that affects how we think, feel and act. Mental health on the other hand, is a general assessment of our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Both mental illness and mental health concern the brain. Our brains store memories, control muscles, automates bodily functions, process emotions and evaluates arguments.

Our existence depends on a properly functioning brain. Our mental health influences how we think, feel and behave in daily life. It affects our ability to cope with stress, overcome challenges, build relationships and recover from setbacks and hardships.

As a churchman, I am particularly interested in the influence of Christianity on mental health. Does the Christian message promote mental or emotional health? Does Christianity confirm the following mental health characteristics:

1. Mentally healthy people feel good about themselves. They accept who they are and do not live their lives based on what others feel or think about themselves. From my upbringing in the church I learned that I was “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). This is reinforced in the songs we sing and the testimonies we share at church.

2. Mentally healthy people understand and manage their emotions. They do not become overwhelmed by emotions like fear, anger, love, jealousy, guilt or anxiety. I am not a psychologist, but for more than fifty years I have been preaching that we should “cast our anxieties” on the Lord because He is fussy over us (1 Peter 5:7).

3. Mentally healthy people value lasting and satisfying personal relationships. We are social creatures with emotional needs for positive connections to others. Socially, we crave companionship. We were not created to survive in isolation. Jesus practiced this. The Bible mentioned that He increased “… in favour with man…” (Luke 2:52). The Bible is replete with enriching our social lives, using Jesus as our role model.

4. Mentally healthy people, value laughter. They laugh with others and even with themselves. They understand that laughing at your mistakes boosts physical and psychological health. When last have you heard that “a cheerful heart is good medicine…” (Proverbs 17:22)? I am presently preparing a sermon on joy – you cannot preach that with a frown. Christianity contends, people who worry less, are less prone to chronic stress.

5. Mentally healthy people respect others, even with their differences – they value mutual respect. They “rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Like Paul, Peter wrote, “…show proper respect to everyone…” (1 Peter 2:17). Christianity discourages association with sinful practices, but encourages mutual respect. Respect builds feelings of trust, safety and well-being.

6. Mentally healthy people acknowledge that disappointments are inevitable. Life is not perfect, we will have to be willing to manage disappointments. Learn from disappointments and move on. Disappointments are included in the “all things” to which Paul referred in Romans 8:28. Paul contended that God is able to use the “all things” to bring about good for those who love Him.

7. Mentally healthy people learn to make their own decisions and to live with the consequences. The apostle Paul would say Amen to that. In his letter to the Galatians, he stated, “… a person reaps what he sows…” (Galatians 6:7). I saw that illustrated at church yesterday. When given the opportunity to choose, many publicly displayed their desire to experience more meaningful Christian lives. Those were sound resolutions to pursue righteousness and expect righteous results.

8. Mentally healthy people identify with environments that facilitate healthy growth. In other words, they do not practice hanging out with losers. They receive from and contribute to healthy communities. Communities that promote what is noble, what is true, pure, lovely and admirable. Communities that encourage and celebrate success. Honestly, that sounds like church. Churches preach this weekly (Philippians 4:8).

Many more characteristic could be added to this mental health shopping list. Christians also pursue forgiveness, benevolence, self-control, courage and contentment. Without even knowing it, Christians promote mental health every day. It is a vital part of wholesome living. Wholesome living is among the things Jesus promised. He said, “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).