Mental Health + Faith: No Shame, Just Real Talk

Faith Meets Mental Health: Let’s Dive In

Wassup Twin! 

RELAX! I am not here to push my religion on you, just here to chat and fascinate some open-minded individuals. 

I in particular have a strong belief in God, and I am a follower of Jesus Christ. So a lot of my concepts, thoughts, and ideas will come from my personal faith.

If you aren’t interested, that is okay! NO PRESSURE, BABES!

Before starting this blog, my faith and mental stability integrative journey has led to a more authentic and empowered life. 

In regards to that, I would love to provide a safe space to explore and discuss this roller coaster with people who have similar interests or people considering this journey. 

So….. Let’s kick shame and judgment to the curb right about NOW and get started. 

I believe faith and mental health can correlate together and impact us positively. I have a huge SURPRISE for you-they sometimes even imply similar concepts. 

Faith and mental health are not mutually exclusive. 

Like mentioned in my first mental health blog, mental health is your unique emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Faith is a strong belief in something, usually intangible. 

Impulsive thought insertion! Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them…..” There is more, so go read it! 

But in the context of that, our emotional, psychological, and social well-being…. Oh, well yeah, HE MADE IT! 

Just for some deeper thought, if God made everything (Colossians 1:16-17), how is science not also a part of His creation? I encourage you to add your thoughts; I would love to hear them. 

Guilty by Association 

Sadly, the traditional church has placed this stigma on others who are associated with or believe in mental health. Most people see faith and mental health as oil and water. 

In other words, science vs religion. It is always a constant back and forth on who is correct or who is wrong. As you've seen, I think neither is correct! 

This has led to some faith communities being unhelpful and silencing those who need support simply because others are cognizant of mental health. 

Lame, BOOOOO, tomato, tomato!

Lets challenge the stigma

Lets not pretend that just because we have our bibles in our hands, everything is fine. The Bible encourages us to pray about everything (Philippians 4:6), but sometimes all the answers we need aren’t provided immediately. 

Even though we struggle with instant gratification in this world today, it doesn't mean we are getting it, pookie. 

But let's be real, we have to find ways to manage the struggle. It is essential to deal with the current unanswered prayers or emotions we feel when waiting for those responses. That's when my good sis, mental health, and faith correlate together!

Mental Health and Faith Partner Up

Let's discuss just one out of plenty of ways mental health can be teamed up with faith. 

First runner-up, healthy coping skills. We are only going to talk about two coping skills since there will most likely be a coping skill blog you can look forward to. 

Alone time. Jesus took plenty of alone time in the Bible. Fam, go read Mark 1:35. In similarity, mental health discusses how it is important to take “me time.” 

YELLING: Jesus used his alone time to pray or specifically spend time with the Father. That addresses another coping skill, a.k.a, religious coping. 

This is just the inkling of this duo that was discussed at the beginning of today's blog. SURPRISE!

It also shows us how to, or how we already integrate mental health and faith, in our everyday lives.

This all comes together to prove that you don’t have to pick one over the other. You have my word, if that means anything 😂🤣. 

Mental health stability and faith are like double the trouble. Depression and anxiety have no chance of winning! 

Let’s remember, walking with God doesn’t mean you have to do it the way humankind has told you to. 

It is about being honest with yourself and being authentically YOU. Jesus will do the rest! Go pray and improve your relationship with God and your mental stability. A win is a win! 

Let's break this stigma together, shall we?