Strong in Spirit:Honoring Mental Health with God's Truth

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shed light on something many of us struggle with but few talk about openly. As believers, we often feel the pressure to “stay strong,” to “have more faith,” or to “just pray it away.” But God never called us to ignore our mental and emotional battles. In fact, He invites us to bring them to Him.

I did research and found the Bible is filled with examples of faithful men and women who wrestled with deep emotional pain. David cried out, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (Psalm 42:11, ESV). Elijah, after a great victory, found himself in despair under a tree, asking God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). Even Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, confessed, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death;...” (Matthew 26:38, ESV).

Acknowledging our mental and emotional struggles doesn’t make us weak—it makes us human. And in our humanness is the very place God meets us with grace, healing, and strength.

image from www.vecteezy.com

Caring for our mental health is not separate from our faith—it goes hand in hand. Just as we nourish our spiritual health with prayer and the Word, we must also care for our minds by resting, setting boundaries, asking for help, and seeking wise counsel. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Guarding your heart includes caring for your thoughts, emotions, and mental well-being.

If you’re struggling today, please know this: God sees you. He’s not disappointed in your anxiety He’s not distant from your pain. He’s near. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV).

This month, let’s remove the stigma and replace it with compassion. Let’s encourage one another not just to survive, but to thrive—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. You were built to last, not by ignoring your pain, but by inviting God into it.

Spiritual Training for Your Faith:

• What’s one area of your mental or emotional health you’ve been neglecting?

• How can you invite God into that space today?

• Who in your life could use a word of encouragement or a listening ear?