Fifty and sixty years ago I heard little of nor thought little about “mental health.” In fact, I thought little about “health” in general except when I was sick – and that was a rare thing. When I was job shopping, the health insurance benefit was likely there, but it was not important to me – I was about the hours, wages, and the vacation. Today, as Health Care is so important and expensive, a BIG part of any job decision is the health care package that comes with the job. I hear over and over of people taking a lower paying job simply because the health insurance with the job is so good.
And growing more and more important is that of mental health and mental health care! It is at least weekly that I see an article about mental health. Today’s well-being concerns are different than those of past years.
So, this concept of health: it has many aspects such as physical, financial, marital, mental, spiritual, emotional, behavioral and environmental health.
All these should matter to all of us and some will matter to some more than to others and some will matter today more than tomorrow (a toothache). All aspects of health have a bearing on our well-being and that of those around us. Therefore, we need to be aware, informed, and engaged – with our own health and about the health of those around us.
Some Mental Health Cases in the Bible
Elijah was deeply depressed and even desired death, I Kings 19:4
God gave him a friend and a notable mission – anoint two kings.
Jonah was deeply despondent after the Ninevites repented, Jonah 4:1-3.
God gave him shade and took it away reminding Jonah of His grace/goodness.
David in Psalm 32 was drained of life.
God moved him to confess his sins and remember that God forgives and is a refuge.
The writer of Psalm 88 has nothing positive to say – very depressing.
God put this in the Scriptures as a reminder that life can be very dark at times.
King Saul was in a troubling mental state revived by David’s music, I Samuel 16:23.
God sent a musician and a song to brighten the spirit.
Paul was in great despair, even to the point of seeing his end, II Corinthians 1:8.
But Jesus: Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, II Corinthians 23:14.
Jesus was deeply saddened by the death of a very dear friend – John the Baptizer, Mark 6:27.
Jesus sought solitude (Mark 6:31), then being alone… Mark 6:46.
Jesus in the Garden was sweating with droplets of blood, Luke 22:44.
God sent angels to strengthen the One despondent.
The call on our lives is to note those depressed or defeated and to come alongside: Hebrews 12:12-13, Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
The Healing Balm Is Found in Jesus
Isaiah 26:3, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Psalm 23:1-2, God brings rest (green pastures), leads to stillness, and restores the soul!
II Timothy 1:7, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Psalm 34:19, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Philippians 4:7, The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Mark 5:15, Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind.
a PK Musing 
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