I remember the first time I took my first visit to the psychiatrist after a few episodes of unchecked fits of rage, and her telling me, "you have an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." I felt both relief and shock that afternoon. The shock came from finding out that the battle was actually real and that a doctor was actually telling me I was obsessive-compulsive. The relief came however in finally being aware of the battle that had to be fought.
So many Christians today shun the topic of mental disorders much like they treat the topic of money and sex. It's just too awkward and sensitive to talk about, but it is still something that must be addressed in the context of the Word of God. Many Christians today battle with depression, bi-polar tendencies, anxiety attacks and they're left in the dark because they feel it shouldn't be discussed.
However, as believers, we are to stand both for our brothers and sisters who have mental illnesses and against the spiritual and physiological hold it has over their life. Here are some points to consider about mental illness from a Biblical point of view.
Mental illness does not make you less "Christian."
Why is it so hard for Christians most especially to deal with mental illness? It's not that believers have an extra dose of mental disorder, but because so many Christians put too much emphasis on it thinking that it makes you less favoured by God when you're battling a mental illness.
God loves and favours everyone alike and does not bring mental illness upon those He loves any less. This is the essence of the Gospel- that God would love and sacrifice His life for everyone.
Mental illness, like any illness, is a result of sin.
Now before you pass me off as a judgmental pharisee, hear me out. Mental illness is a result of the sin of a person who experiences it or the sin of a generation compounded into one person. The Bible speaks of generational curses that are passed on from parent to child.
Lamentations 5:7 says "Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne (been punished for) their iniquities." Since some mental illnesses are genetically passed on we can conclude that some cases of mental disorders are a form of generational curse.
I'm not trying to point fingers and say that it's your fault that your mentally ill. Remembers that I was once on the same boat. I am simply pointing out the truth that mental illness is a pain of sin that can be broken only by the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Mental health can be restored
In Exodus 34:7, it says "Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting (punishing) the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation." God promises that we can be removed of our mental illnesses, and be set free from the detrimental effects it has.
Isaiah 26:3 promises us that God will "...keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." The starting point for many will be to seek professional help and in the process trust in the finished work of Christ. He promises peace, joy and freedom to all because He loves those who are in pain and anguish.
As Christians, it is important that we have a clear understanding of curse that is mental illness, the people who need freedom from it and the God who can bring liberty and healing.
