Let’s talk about mental health in the Christian community.

For far too long, mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, burnout, and emotional exhaustion have been treated as signs of spiritual weakness. Somewhere along the way, we were taught that if we admit we’re struggling mentally, it means we don’t trust God enough, pray hard enough, or believe strong enough. That lie has silenced too many believers and left too many parents suffering in secret. The truth is, acknowledging your mental health is not a lack of faith it’s often the beginning of healing.

The Bible does not teach us to ignore our emotions. It teaches us to feel them honestly and surrender them faithfully. Throughout Scripture, we see men and women of deep faith experiencing despair, fear, anxiety, grief, and emotional overwhelm. David cried out in the Psalms, saying his soul was downcast and his tears were his food day and night. Elijah, after a mighty victory, asked God to take his life because he was emotionally depleted. Jesus Himself wept. Feeling deeply was never condemned hiding from God while feeling deeply was never encouraged either.

God invites us to bring our emotions to Him, not bury them. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Notice the wording — cast, not deny. You cannot cast what you refuse to acknowledge. God does not ask us to pretend we are okay. He asks us to come honestly, with everything we feel, and place it in His hands. Emotional awareness is not rebellion; it is often obedience.

In parenting especially, mental health battles intensify. The pressure to hold everything together, to be emotionally available for everyone else while neglecting yourself, can quietly erode your peace. Many parents are not failing they are exhausted. They are not spiritually dry they are overwhelmed. And yet, instead of support, they often receive shame or spiritual bypassing: “Just pray more,” “Have more faith,” “God’s got it.” While those statements may be true, they are incomplete without compassion, understanding, and practical support.

Scripture teaches us that transformation happens through renewal “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). That renewal is a process. It involves unlearning lies, recognizing emotional patterns, healing trauma, and sometimes seeking help beyond prayer alone. God works through counselors. God works through rest. God works through boundaries. God works through community. Seeking help does not mean you are weak it means you are wise enough to steward the mind God gave you.

Mental health struggles do not disqualify you from being used by God. They do not mean you are broken beyond repair. They do not make you a bad parent or a bad Christian. They make you human. And God specializes in meeting humans in their humanity. Healing is not pretending you’re strong; healing is letting God meet you in your weakness and teach you how to walk forward with truth, support, and grace.

If you are struggling mentally, you are not less spiritual you are being invited deeper. God does not shame what He wants to heal. He does not rush what He is restoring. And He is not afraid of your feelings. Bring them to Him. Name them. Feel them. Then surrender them not as a bandage, but as an offering trusting that God cares about your mind just as much as He cares about your soul.

God,

I come to You honest, not polished.

I bring You my anxiety, my heaviness, my racing thoughts, my exhaustion, and the parts of me I’ve been afraid to admit exist.

You see my mind.

You know where the pressure lives.

You know what I carry in silence.

Lord, I confess that sometimes I’ve felt ashamed for struggling. I’ve questioned my faith. I’ve wondered if I was weak or failing You. But today, I release that lie. Your Word says You are near to the brokenhearted, not disappointed in them.

Teach me how to feel my emotions without being ruled by them.

Help me to name what hurts without letting it define me.

Renew my mind where fear has taken root.

Calm my thoughts where they’ve been loud and relentless.

God, I surrender my mental health to You not as something to hide, but as something You care deeply about. I ask for wisdom, support, rest, healing, and peace that goes beyond understanding. Show me the steps I need to take and the help I need to accept.

Remind me that You are patient with me.

That healing is a process.

That I am not behind.

That I am still loved, chosen, and held.

Even here especially here I trust You.

In Jesus’ name, amen. 🤍

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