Mental Illness and the Church

“Christians should NEVER be depressed.” a friend said to me.“Yes, we have the mind of Christ.” I foolishly agreed.As a baby believer, my theology was skewed. Soon I became depressed. Nothing helped. Prayer, confession, praise, not even memorizing the Word of God lifted the cloud completely. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which affects serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin can affect mood and social behavior, appetite, and digestion, sleep, memory and function.​My mind of Christ was clouded and confused.​I was prescribed a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and feel much better.If I don’t take care of myself, Depression takes over.I’m in the Word daily, sing praise songs, pray to my Abba continually, and I eat healthier foods. This keeps me focused and joyful.I know many believers who have fibromyalgia or another illness that affects their mood and mind.Last week, I drove a dear friend to the hospital; she had suicidal thoughts and was very depressed. She was told her Depakote or Valproic Acid levels were severely low.Her medications were adjusted and now she feels fine.She loves Jesus with all her heart.  She fights her bipolar illness with prayer, meditation, and memorizing the Word. 

Two churches shunned her because they found out about her diagnosis. She left the churches heartbroken, feeling ashamed.

I have seen this dear friend lead others to Christ, sacrifice her last meal for someone, and drive miles out of the way to give rides to those without cars. She is a powerful prayer warrior and miracles happen around her. Mental illness is a taboo subject in many churches.If a person walks in with cancer, diabetes, or any other illness or disease, no one questions. Mental illness seems to throw some believers into a tailspin.They don’t know how to react. I did not understand it until it affected my life.The Bible is not silent about mental illness.David, a man after God’s own heart, was depressed.​Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?  Psalm 43:5 NIVThe psalmist wrote in the psalms of AsaphMy body and mind may waste away,    but God remains the foundation of my life and my inheritance forever. Psalm 73:26 GWAny illness is caused by the fall, including mental illness. A disease does not just attack the body and leave the brain alone- it attacks everything.​When Adam and Eve exercised their free will and chose to sin against God, the world was affected forever.​I no longer believe the lie that Christians are immune to mental illness.I know God can instantly heal if it is His will. He may also choose to wait until we get to Heaven.Meanwhile, I pray that I will be loving and kind to those who suffer in silence.May I be a testimony of God’s power and grace as I cling to His Word & prayer.Do you know someone who suffers from a mental illness?What do you think about mental illness and the believer?Join the conversation.