Christian Devotional Blog

In my previous article, Mental Health Lies We Believe, I outlined several harmful lies about mental health that can plague Christians. You can read the full article on my website, Mental Health Lies We Believe, or find a list of those lies at the end of this article.

One of the biggest—and most dangerous—lies we believe is that we must hide our emotional struggles from others. This belief is deeply harmful because it keeps us in distress and emotional pain far longer than necessary.

Until we share our struggles, we often don’t realize how many other people are dealing with similar concerns. Once we begin to open up about what we are going through, we frequently discover that many others are struggling—or have struggled—with the very same things.

And really, what is there to be ashamed of? The truth is that we are generally no more to blame for our mental health issues than we are for our physical health problems. If we could break down this barrier of silence and shame, both the church and the world would be much healthier places.

In Romans 5:3–5, Paul offers encouragement to believers who are suffering. He writes:

“We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Paul encourages us to find meaning—and even hope—within difficult seasons. He reminds us that suffering is not pointless. God can use trials to refine us, producing perseverance, shaping our character, and ultimately leading us to a resilient hope anchored in His faithful love.

Psalm 139 is another powerful passage to turn to when we are struggling with mental health concerns. Verses 1–12 remind us that no matter what we are going through, we are never outside of God’s presence. He knows our pain fully and invites us to bring it to Him. Verses 1–6 offer a glimpse of this truth:

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

The next section of Psalm 139 (verses 13–18) reminds us that our mental health struggles do not mean we are defective or broken beyond repair. God intentionally designed us exactly as He wanted us to be. This includes our mental and emotional makeup. Rather than disqualifying us, God can use these struggles to mature us, draw us closer to Himself, and display His power in our lives. Verses 13–14 and 16 capture this beautifully:

“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well….
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.”

The Psalms are filled with honest cries to God—prayers that seek to make sense of deep emotional pain. In the next section of Psalm 139, David openly expresses his anguish and frustration toward those who oppose and persecute him. Verses 19–20 read:

“If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.”

Here we see that God welcomes our raw emotions. David does not hide his anger or distress; instead, he brings it honestly before the Lord.

The final two verses of Psalm 139 are among my favorite passages in Scripture:

“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”

In these verses, David asks God to fully examine his heart. He openly acknowledges his anxious thoughts and invites God to reveal anything within him that needs correction. He then asks to be gently redirected onto God’s path.

These verses should become a regular prayer for us as well—a humble plea for God to reveal our hearts, including the anxious or troubling thoughts we may want to hide. As we open up honestly to God about our struggles, He begins the work of healing. Yet when our pain is deep or overwhelming, honesty with God may not be enough on its own. We may also need to seek out a trusted person with whom we can share our burden—someone who can offer wisdom, compassion, and support.

As you reflect on these ideas, I encourage you to examine the beliefs you hold about mental health—especially when you feel tempted to dismiss your own struggles or those of someone you love.

Just as we should not feel shame about physical illness, we do not need to feel shame about emotional, psychological, or spiritual struggles. These challenges are part of living in a broken world, and they do not place us outside of God’s care or concern. When we keep our pain hidden, healing generally does not occur. When we allow it to be seen by ourselves, God, and a trusted helper we create space for understanding, support, and hope.

Seeking help is not a failure of faith. It is often an expression of wisdom and humility. God frequently works through others—through a trusted friend, a counselor, a pastor, or a medical professional—to bring comfort, clarity, and healing. You do not have to carry your struggles alone, and you do not have to have everything figured out before asking for help.

If this article resonates with you, my hope is simply that you take one small step toward openness—first with God, and then, when you are ready, with someone safe and trustworthy. Healing is a process, and God is patient and present with us every step of the way.

(from my previous article)

• Christians should not have mental health problems.
• You are to blame for your mental health issues.
• Hide your problems at church—always smile and say you’re fine.
• Just “trust God” and pray, and it will go away.
• If you are struggling, it must be due to sin in your life (like Job’s “counselors”; see Job 4:8).
• Mental health struggles mean you are not praying enough, trusting God enough, or engaging in enough “Christian” activities.
• Christians should never take medication for mental health.
• Christians should not need counseling.

 "Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."