22 Encouraging Bible Verses On Mental Health
Our mental health is important and it needs to be taken care of just as much as our physical health. However, for thousands of years, this was not the case. There has always been a stigma around mental illnesses, especially in the church.
In fact, the church believed that anyone who suffered from a mental illness did so because they were far from God. This could not be further from the truth, I mean the Bible itself says God is close to the brokenhearted.
Thankfully the church has come around in recent times and many now realize that just like a person who is close to God can get a physical illness, that person can also get a mental illness. The Bible even has a lot of guidance and encouragement concerning mental health because God knew that some of His people would go through it. Here are 22 encouraging Bible verses on mental health.
What Does the Bible say on Mental Health?
Although you’d never find the words ‘mental health’ or ‘mental illness’ written in the Bible, you will find the symptoms of it. Anxiety, sadness, brokenness, immense fear, and panic are in the Bible, people in the Bible have gone through it too.
There are stories of people who went through mental illnesses and scriptures of encouragement directly from God for it too.
The Bible actually validates that mental illnesses do exist and that God cares for you enough to meet you where you are and help you heal.
Examples of Mental Health in the Bible
There are many many examples of people who struggled with their mental health in the Bible, here are a few of them along with where you can read the full story:
In 1 Kings 19, we find Elijah struggling with his mental health during a conflict with Queen Jezebel. In this chapter, he actually runs away to a place he could be alone and prays for God to take his life. He too, like many of us today, was discouraged, weary, and afraid.
“I have had enough Lord, ” he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4
In the book of Psalms, we get an inside look at David’s mental health. He cried out to God time and time again because even as a man after God’s own heart, he wasn’t immune to mental illnesses. Even as someone who had enough faith to defeat a giant with a stone, he was not always mentally strong. Even with all of his accomplishments, he was still human.
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Ps. 42:11
Jeremiah, the prophet who wrote one of the most popular scriptures in the world (Jeremiah 29:11), also suffered with his mental health. He often felt lonely, defeated, and insecure because he was poor, never married, and never had children. He was also regularly made fun of by the people he tried to reach out to. He was a great man, one that believed in God with all his heart, yet he still suffered.
“Cursed be the day I was born…why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?” Jeremiah 20:18
These are just 3 of several examples in the Bible, Jonah, Moses, King Saul, Job, and many more people went through difficult days in their journey.
Bible Verses On Mental Health
Mental health is a struggle in the lives of millions of people. The Bible has many scriptures that help us maintain our mental health and encourage us to be strong through it all.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:34
“I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
Bible Verses On Mental Illness
We’re living in a fallen world, and just like physical illnesses can happen to anyone, so can mental illnesses. If you’re suffering from a mental illness today, know that God is with you and He is for you. Here are a few scriptures for encouragement.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. – Psalm 34:17-20
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16
Bible Verses About Mental Strength
Cultivating mental strength is one of the most important things you can do in your life. You’re human, and as a human, difficult times are inevitable. Tough days are going to happen so it’s best to know how to respond when it does.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7
“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
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.” – Proverbs 13:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
Bible Verses For Mental Breakdowns
If you or someone you know is suffering a mental breakdown, here are some Bible verses to give you hope. This is a difficult period in your life and God definitely should be the first one you go to. However, if you know you need medical help, go get it. God has called people who can be of help to His people, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it.
The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me, seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains, I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. – Jonah 2:5-7
And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. – Isaiah 43:2
“They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the LORD supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.” – Psalm 18:18-19
“In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered and set me free.” – Psalm 118:5
Verses for Mental Health Awareness
Mental health awareness is important. Not only do we need to be aware of our own mental health but we also need others to be aware that mental illnesses are just as real as physical ones. Here are some scriptures to help you maintain your mental health as well as make others aware of thiers.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.- 1 Peter 5:7
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” – Romans 8:22
“But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” – Matthew 9:12
The Bible doesn’t explicitly mention mental health or mental illness. But the fact that there are so many stories along with so many scriptures of encouragement for it, proves that it is very real and should never be downplayed by the church or anyone else.
I really hope that in the midst of what you feel right now, you know that God is near. He is with you even when it doesn’t feel like He is, and He will heal you if you continue to wait on Him. Until then, hold fast to these Bible verses, and remember that the God who was good to His people back then, is still good to His people right now.
