Mental Health

It ALL starts in the mind! 

7  For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

“Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. 

Proverbs 23:7

What you believe will impact what you do. You can either believe the Word of God or the word of the enemy. Always seek truth. 

Ask yourself why do I believe this, where did this thought come from?

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 

John 16:13

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Romans 12:2

We are transformed by the renewing or changing of our minds, where we think more like Jesus Christ. When we think more like Him we behave more like Him. 

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life. 

Proverbs 4:23

It is important we guard our mind because the enemy can and will tell us lies. When we believe these lies it makes us vulnerable to attacks. It can also cause us to be sinning and not realize.

21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him.

22 And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

1 Kings 22:21-22

In this account a spirit lies to King Ahab that it is okay to go out to battle and Ahab ends up being killed.

How to guard your heart and mind?

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8 

 5 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. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. 

2 Corinthians 10:5-6

Hold those negative thoughts captive and make them obedient to all the amazing things God has said in His Word.

For example, a thought comes that says I am ugly. You hold it captive and respond with the truth.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

Psalm 139:14

Fight for your mind and get to know God's Truth.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

Ask God to show you who you really are. Ask him what my gifts are, my achievements, struggles, what problems do I need to address, etc. With this information it can help you to understand why you are who you are.

You must love yourself! This looks like treating yourself, forgiving yourself, being merciful to yourself etc. Don't treat yourself harsh and unkind. Say kind things to yourself. The scripture says love others as you love yourself. 

This is a call not only to love others but to love you as well. 

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” 

Mark 12:30-31

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 

Proverbs 27:17

It is important to have persons surrounding you to pour into you. Persons that can encourage and share in the Christian journey.  Also be careful of the conversations, music, cartoons, anime, shows, movies and social media content, that you engage with. Also, where you go and what is happening around you. Are people cursing, parting, excessively drinking, smoking, extremely sexual jokes and talk?

These things have an impact on the mental and spiritual health. 

Look for Christian alternatives and replacements to these things. 

I will not look with approval
    on anything that is vile.

I hate what faithless people do;
    I will have no part in it.

Psalm 101:3

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. 

Proverbs 11:14

God placed leaders, family, friends and persons around us to provide support. You don't have to do it on your own ask God to direct you to a group of people you can rely on. Persons that will give you good advise and direction.