Mental Health and the Bible预览

Renewing Our Minds

The Bible mentions the words mind, think, and believe over 580 times. I believe Scripture places a huge emphasis on our minds because it is the primary battleground where spiritual warfare takes place. The enemy is going to do whatever he can to attack our minds, but with God’s help, we can fight his schemes and destroy the strongholds that try to keep us from peace and wholeness in our minds.

The way God designed the human brain is incredible. We have billions of neurons firing in our minds every day, helping us to make decisions and complete routine tasks like brushing our teeth or putting on our socks. Most of these tasks become second nature. Our brain uses the neurons to create default pathways in our minds to make repeating everyday tasks reflexive.

Pathways are created in our brains for more than simple tasks and actions; they are created for our thought life, feelings, and emotional responses, too. Thankfully, most of what’s done in our minds can be undone. Because of our brain’s neuroplasticity—that is, the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections—we can actually rewire and overcome lies, anxious thoughts, and challenging mental reactions to life’s challenges. This is a scientific way of explaining what Paul calls “renewing the mind” in Romans 12:2.

Here are five simple steps to help you renew your mind and support your mental health:

1. Move from isolation to connection. We were created for community, and our mental health noticeably improves when we pursue meaningful connection with other people on a regular basis.

2. Identify the what: Think about what leads to anxiety or depression for you. Is it rejection? Feeling unsafe? Feeling lonely or hurt? When you identify the what, do what 1 Peter 5:7 says and cast your cares onto God.

3. Identify the why: Now, think about the why behind your what. Go a little deeper and investigate why things like rejection or being unsafe are significant and how they showed up in your past. Seek healing for these things.

4. Identify the truth. Now, in this important step, ask yourself what God says about you and this situation. Look to His Word and look for truth you can apply and speak into your circumstances.

5. Take every thought captive. Try to catch the lie or the automatic negative thought that seems to fuel your uncomfortable emotions or mental distress. Redirect your thoughts to God’s truth and visualize His love, protection, and acceptance of you.

Practicing these five steps has helped me so much personally with overcoming anxiety and depression. I’ve seen these steps help so many people I’ve worked with throughout the years. I hope they will help you as you seek God’s healing for your pain, rewrite the lies you believe with God’s truth, and rewire the unhelpful mental patterns in your life.

Thought of the Day: I’m so thankful that my mind can be renewed. I will put the things I have learned today into practice to hold to God’s truth and take control of my mind.

For more help and resources on overcoming emotional and mental health struggles, check out resolutionmovement.org