Mental Illness in the Bible | Faith and Mental Health

Mental illness has existed long before we had a context for these diseases. Those who lived during the time of the Bible experienced some of the same mental health challenges that we do today, but they didn’t have the same understanding that we do about how and why these disorders occur. People who struggle with mental illness today may feel isolated, especially if the church is not acknowledging these challenges. However, there are many examples of mental health challenges in the Bible, and these can provide much-needed support to those who struggle today.

Mental Illness Today vs. in Biblical Times

The examples that we see in scripture regarding mental illness may look different than our current definitions of these disorders. Because we are looking at moments in time for these people, they may not look exactly like diagnoses today. However, the glimpses we see recorded in the Bible give enough insight to indicate that many people struggled with mental health issues during that time. Today, we have a more comprehensive view of these disorders, and we can apply some of this understanding to instances in the past.

Examples of Mental Health Issues in Scripture

A majority of the mental illnesses we can observe in the Bible are either depressive or anxiety-related disorders. That’s not to say that other diagnoses didn’t exist at that time, but those would be more challenging to attempt to identify retrospectively. 

David: Depression

David is known for his expression throughout the Psalms. He wrote beautiful poems and songs praising God and giving thanks for the good things in life. However, he also had many challenging moments. 

“I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.” Psalm 6:6 (ESV)

 

Today, we would classify this as a depressive disorder due to his persistent sadness. Some may argue that David exhibited symptoms of bipolar disorder, but this is more difficult to prove due to the timeline necessary to make this diagnosis.

Martha: Anxiety

The story of Mary and Martha in the New Testament is often referenced in the context of prioritizing rest in Jesus. When Jesus comes to visit these sisters, Martha spends her time cleaning and serving while Mary sits and listens to Jesus. While this is a great lesson on how busyness can distract us, it’s also an example of how anxiety can affect our lives. 

“But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:40-42 (ESV)

Jesus directly points out Martha’s anxiety in these verses and how it manifests in her concern about getting things done in the home. 

Job: Depression

God put Job through a series of tests in the Old Testament, resulting in him losing his family and home among other things. Naturally, Job was distressed as a result. In multiple instances, he cried out to God due to his sadness.

“...so that I would choose strangling and death rather than my bones. I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are a breath.” Job 7:15-16 (ESV)

 

At this moment, Job was experiencing such severe symptoms of depression that he would rather have died than continue on. 

Why Is This Important?

These examples are not of unimportant people in the Bible. They are people that God wanted to use and continued to use. The mental health challenges they faced did not disqualify them from being part of God’s plan. Rather, He used their struggles to bring them closer to Him and strengthen their faith. These moments were only part of their stories, and each of these people went on to do great things for God.

Healing From Mental Illness and Addiction

Mental health issues and substance use disorders often occur at the same time, but your struggles do not define you. If you’re looking for addiction treatment founded in Christ, Celebrate Hope can help. We work with our residents to develop skills for sobriety with a focus on faith. We also treat dual diagnoses, meaning we can help you manage a substance use disorder alongside a mental illness. Just like these examples in scripture, your struggles do not determine whether you can be used by God. In fact, your challenges may be exactly what He wants to use to help others. If you’re ready to take the next step in your recovery, contact our treatment team today. 

How to Find a Therapist | Therapy for Addiction

As you navigate the road to recovery, one of the best investments you can make is finding a reputable therapist. However, this process can feel overwhelming at times with the number of options available. As a Christian, you may want someone who shares your faith. Or it may be more important to find someone who falls within a specific budget. Whatever you are looking for, knowing how to find a therapist that meets your needs is imperative for lasting sobriety. 

Finding the Right Therapist for You

Every person in recovery has different needs and priorities when looking for counseling. Here are the steps you should follow as you seek mental health care:

1. List Your Priorities

If you start by listing the characteristics you want in a provider, you’re less likely to get overwhelmed with the number of options available. Consider things such as specialty, cost, location, gender, credentials, and insurance when making your list. Ultimately, you know what is best for you. However, there are key components that you should consider in a mental health professional such as licensure and reputation.

2. Consider the Cost

For many people seeking treatment, the cost is the biggest factor in finding care. If you have health insurance, your benefits may cover at least part of the cost of treatment. This could include outpatient therapy, inpatient treatment, and residential care. Depending on the level of help you need, you could have all or a portion of this covered by your insurance. To find therapists who accept your health care coverage, your online portal often has a search feature to find providers. 

3. Utilize Reputable Therapist Directories

There are an overwhelming number of resources online to find a therapist or treatment center. Websites such as Psychology Today and The American Psychological Association are reputable databases of both individual therapists and treatment centers based on location or needs. There are many other options online, but be wary of any site that doesn’t list licensing information or requires any type of payment upfront. 

4. Find Addiction Recovery Specialists

The letters after a therapist’s name help you determine if this person would be a good fit for what you need. Here are a few that you can look for to find a reputable therapist:

• LPC or LMFT: These are masters-level therapists who have completed the training and practice hours to achieve licensure.
• PsyD or Ph.D.: These therapists have doctoral degrees in psychology and are often referred to as licensed psychologists.
• LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Workers are practicing therapists who also have social work training. They complete clinical hours in counseling to receive this title. 
• CAS: These are clinical addiction specialists, meaning they specialize in addiction treatment.

There are a number of other licenses and credentials that providers list in their biographies, and all of them have different benefits. Try not to get caught up in the number of letters after a person’s name. Instead, look for key indicators of licensure and specializations, like addiction treatment.

5. Determine Other Needs

After you know you’ve found a trustworthy therapist, then consider the other qualities you would like for them to have. You may want someone who is the same gender as you, especially if you’re going to talk about sensitive topics. If you’re looking for someone who shares your faith, they will likely list this in their biography as well. 

If this all still feels overwhelming, try not to stress. You may try one provider and find they’re not a good fit. You can always find someone else. Or you might realize you need more intensive treatment than you can get in an outpatient office. If that’s the case, it may be time to consider residential treatment. 

Finding Specialized Addiction Treatment

Deciding to pursue intensive treatment is never easy. However, finding a center that supports your recovery and encourages your faith can ease some of your stress. At Celebrate Hope, we are dedicated to helping you pursue recovery on the foundation of faith in Jesus. We encourage deep connections amongst residents through our groups and participation in Celebrate Recovery programs. We also offer individual therapy where you can work through your past experiences and develop healthy coping skills. If you are looking for a reputable, Christian addiction treatment center, contact our admissions team today.