Mental Health and Allowing God to Use All Options

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Your friends, family, and loved ones already know. They see it on your face every day, and hear it in your voice when you speak. The struggle, once a moment, has settled into a season, and you’re not sure how to get out.

You pray. You read Scripture. You believe in a God who heals all things according to His will. You seek wise counsel. You go to small group. You ask for prayer, maybe not so specific. You go to Worship.

You still struggle.

 

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NASB)

 

One of the worst tragedies of depression, anxiety, or any mental health situation is you feel you struggle alone. But, don’t believe this lie.

God cares for you, and with Him as your Savior and protector, you are never alone. He also uses all things for His good according to His will (Romans 8:28). Sometimes the chemical imbalance of your body inhibits your personal ability to weather the storm of a season. It is this exact moment where a decision has to be made for you or by you to accept all means of God’s given methods of treatment. Here a few things to consider when everything you have tried isn’t enough.

Seek wise counsel

It’s not a question of whether an unbeliever can be wise; it’s about seeking someone with similar values when addressing an issue. The person with whom you seek wise counsel should be the one who also shares the most important relationship in your life, Jesus. It’s not that we can’t glean information from those not following the Lord, but ultimately it’s from those who hold the same value system as you that wise counsel should be sought.

You’re not a failure for needing medication

God can absolutely use anything for His glory. The only caution is, do not medicate what you can handle, only what is no longer in your control. Just as when alcohol is addressed in Scripture, not losing control is the key. Set your pride aside and let godly wisdom and counsel decide if mental health needs should be addressed with medication.

Just a season, not a lifestyle

Maybe your mental health struggle is bigger than a season. For many it is a time where emotions spiral out of control, and it’s difficult to regain stability. When seeking help, consider it a season where God uses those in your life and the resources of our current age to help.

 

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak…

1 James 1:19 (ESV)

 

For those not struggling with something mentioned here, be quick to hear and slow to speak. Sometimes our words do more damage than good when conversing with a struggling person. God can do anything. He may choose to use anything in any situation to achieve His will. For singles don’t let the lie of loneliness and incompleteness drive your situation to even greater depths. You are never alone in Christ and complete in Him alone.

The question isn’t if praying, reading, and believing is enough. The question is, will you let God use those means to help you in your mental health.

Do Not Worry

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“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

As a single adult there is a lot to worry about. There is sometimes pressure from friends and family to “find someone and settle down,” finances with only one income, and balancing a social life that is honoring to God and does not break the bank. When Jesus is talking here, He wants all of us to know that God sees our worries. Yes, you as a single adult sometimes worry about what you will eat, what career path you will choose, who you will socialize with, and what clothes you will wear. Jesus is talking to all of us in Matthew 6:25 with His Sermon on the Mount to put our trust in God because He is the one who has provided for us and will continue to do so, just like the flowers in the fields.

God already knows your worry and He even tells us in verse 6:27 that none of us can add to our life by worrying. So, what should we be doing instead of worrying? Verse 6:32: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Your relationship with God is priority #1 above any worries or anxieties you might have. Focus on honoring God, and you will not have to worry about any of your day to day trials. Click here to see what a relationship with God looks like and encourage those around you who worry to keep their eyes on God and let Him take care of the details.