A Biblical Perspective: Does Mental Health Matter to God?

So, how do we address mental health in the context of a biblical worldview? 

Meditation on God’s Word 

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” Joshua 1:8 

First, we must turn to the infallible Truth that is the Word of the Lord. Dwelling in and ruminating on the Scriptures of the Bible is a powerful beginning step to emotional healing. When we learn the Word of God, we begin to understand the character of God Himself, His goodness, and His desire for us to live fulfilling lives.  

In learning the Scriptures, memorizing and writing upon our hearts the powerful, piercing words within the Bible, we allow God’s Word to transform us, changing our way of thinking moment by moment, opening the door to true healing—whether instantly or in daily surrender. 

Turning to Prayer in Moments of Darkness and Anxiety 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 

Jesus hears our prayers. He cares for us and is compassionate toward us in our moments of weakness, worry, and emotional/mental health concerns. Even when we fall so short of the unrealistic standards we set for ourselves, He is with us, constantly pursuing our hearts.  

Rather than relying on ourselves to fix it all, we can turn to Jesus, the perfecter of our faith, to save us, correct our minds, and guide us along the right paths. In our prayers of desperation, crying out for help, Jesus meets us. We can trust Him, depend on Him, and allow Him to help us heal.  

Our Thoughts Submitted to Christ 

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 

God can certainly deliver us from fear, temptation, and hardship when overwhelming thoughts begin to consume us; this very passage in Scripture directs us to take action. 

Again, moment-by-moment surrender is how the battle is won. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, making our every thought captive to Christ, is the way we allow the Spirit of God to permeate our hearts and guard our minds, creating healthy mindful habits that will ultimately change our lives for the better.  

Gratitude 

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 

When we take our focus off our own suffering and redirect our attention to the goodness of the Lord and the blessings in our lives, we are inevitably changed. It is in moments of gratitude that our perspective shifts from victimhood to overwhelming joy. 

Pausing to thank God for our blessings — for His loving sacrifice, our salvation and the wonderful people He has placed in our lives — ultimately reminds us of all that the Lord has done for us, steering us away from dark thoughts and toward gratitude and rejoicing. 

Maintaining a Healthy Body — the Home of Our Mind and Temple of Our Spirit 

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

We are holistic beings. We must properly care for our bodies with sufficient nutrition, sleep, and exercise in order to attain mental well-being. 

Certainly, those of us who care for our bodies can still experience mental health struggles—but without adequate bodily care, we are setting ourselves up for base-level defeat. From a scientific standpoint, it is quite plain; lack of activity, rest, and nutrients disrupts our healthy chemical levels, thus generally depriving us of oxytocin and dopamine (the “happy hormones”), countered with an increasingly constant inflow of cortisol (the “stress hormone”).  

Purpose and Hard Work 

“You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” Psalms 128:2 

Without purpose in our daily labor, life can feel monotonous and meaningless. Therefore, we must make it a priority in our lives to work with diligence and joy—no matter what job we have.  

The reality is that most jobs aren’t glamorous. Even when we achieve our “dream job,” we subsequently discover that our fulfillment does not come from any position or task. Rather, when we are sustained in the Lord, content in our jobs—whether esteemed or humble—working hard with rejoicing and motivation to serve others, we remain inevitably fulfilled in our work. 

Willingness to Receive Help 

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14 

The concept of wise counsel is nothing new to God. Whether the Lord leads us to professional help through therapy or through the intentional help and direction of pastors, mentors, and wise friends—we are advised to seek sage wisdom from seasoned counselors.  

From wise counsel, we receive guidance to act in truth and love, learn healthy relational habits, and gain direction and access to resources for improving and maintaining our mental health.  

Seeing Beyond Ourselves to Serve Humanity 

“Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45  

The message of the Gospel is about Jesus and His overwhelming love for us. What better example of fulfilling joy do we have than to follow the perfecter of love Himself?  

When we prioritize serving humanity, we open the door to letting the Lord move for the inspiration, faith, and growth of others. This is why the joy and freedom found in Christ Jesus is contagious and healing to all, bringing forth a peace that surpasses human understanding—even in the midst of the mental health struggles we as humans experience. 

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 

When it comes to our mental health, God cares. He desires more for us than just living; rather, we are called to thrive. Through practicing these healthy, biblical habits, we can know deeper fulfillment and joy, ultimately empowering us to cope with our mental health burdens and struggles in the right ways. 

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Tim Clinton, EdD, LPC, LMFT, is president of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). He serves as the Executive Director of the Global Center for Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery at Liberty University, and he is cohost of Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk. He has authored or edited nearly thirty books, including “Take It Back: Reclaiming Biblical Masculinity,” “The Heart & Strength of Being a Man,” and his latest book, “Focus on the Future: Your Family, Your Faith, and Your Voice Matter Now More Than Ever.” He has been married forty-three years to his wife Julie, and together they have two children, Megan (married to Ben) Zach.