The Bible is more than a manual of wisdom or a road map for our lives or even a series of love letters from The Lord. Though in the human sense the Bible is all of those things, the reality is it is so much more… (2014, January 1). (Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com)
All We Need is Contained in the Word
Have you ever wondered if Mental Illness is in the Bible?
(2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Christian Counseling Online
http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
answers this question:
The holy scripture is the means through which the very God who created the universe and every human being in His image, by His wisdom, has chosen to reveal Himself. It is by looking into and studying the scriptures that we can know God and His son Jesus the Christ. This is no small thing…to be able to say, “I understand and know God.” In fact it is the only thing God says it is OK to boast about (Jeremiah 9:23-24). And through God’s Word He has communicated all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Do you believe that “all” really mean “ALL”(2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Since scripture teaches that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness it would be good to ask a couple questions:
Do we find mental illness spoken of in the Bible?
And if yes, do the scriptures shed any light on the causes and cures? (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Since all scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16) let’s turn to it and see what He has to say. (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Is Mental Illness Found in the Bible?
(2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
The first individual who comes to mind, who stands out in the Biblical record, as one struggling with a possible illness of the mind is Saul the King of Israel.
Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. (1 Samuel 16:23)
Here are some specific symptoms of Saul’s affliction described in the Biblical record:
Saul felt tormented (1 Samuel 16:14)
Saul was angry (1 Samuel 18:8)
Saul was jealous (1 Samuel 18:9)
Saul was rebellious (1 Samuel 15:11)
Saul had an appearance of repentance but never really repented
Saul had negative self talk (1 Samuel 18:11)
Saul was fearful (1 Samuel 18:12-15)
Saul was a liar (1 Samuel 19:6)
Saul acts on his sinful thoughts (1 Samuel 19:2)
Saul was irrational and would not listen to reason (1 Samuel 20:32) (Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com)
The Biblical record is clear that God afflicted Saul with an evil spirit that would come and go and torment him (1 Samuel 16:14). One of the most unique aspects of Saul’s story is that others around him seemed to understand that it was an evil spirit that was tormenting him. (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
The scriptures do not say how the evil spirit tormented him but it is obvious from the description of Saul that at times he became agitated and perhaps even obsessive as well as violent and irrational. He knew that the LORD had rejected him as King over Israel, that he had lost the favor and friendship of the Prophet Samuel and that the Holy Spirit was taken from him all because Saul rejected the Word of the LORD and acted disobediently (1 Samuel 15:26-27). (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:13-14) (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
It is also interesting to note that David’s harp playing actually gave Saul temporary relief from his affliction and even caused the evil spirit to go away for a while. Is there a possible parallel here with the world’s treatment of mental illness? Even the world’s ways of treating the mentally ill can have a temporary effect, but do they offer a cure? (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Job
(2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Job is another prominent figure in the Bible who suffered from emotional and mental struggles. The similarity between Job’s case and King Saul’s is the fact that God sent an evil spirit to torment both of them. Job’s problems began when an evil spirit sent from God began raising havoc in his life and afflicting him with all manner of trials and tribulations from the loss of property, to the death of loved ones, to trauma and all manner of physical illness and suffering. (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Job describes some of his mental and emotional symptoms as …
Self loathing (job 3:3, 10:1)
Violent suicidal ideations ( Job 6:9)
Physical and mental pain ( Job 6:10)
Nightmares (7:14)
Visual hallucinations persecutory in nature ( Job 7:14)
Paranoia ( Job 7:19-20)
Shame ( Job 10:15)
Delusional ( Job 13:26-27) (2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Some other Biblical characters that seem to exhibit characteristic symptoms that modern day psychiatrists associate with mental disorders are…
King David – (Psalms 32, 42)
Elijah – (1 Kings 19)
Nebuchadnezzur – (Daniel 4)
Jezebel – (2 Kings 9:2, Revelation 2:20)
(2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
New Testament Examples of possible Mental Illness
(2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
In the New Testament the Apostle Paul’s conversion experience. He sees a blinding light, falls off his horse and is blinded for several days. After his conversion he claimed to have experiences seeing and communicating with Jesus the Christ.
(2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Worry or Obsessive Thinking
In the New testament Paul and Peter both write briefly about anxiety (Philippians 2:28, 1 Peter 5:7). Jesus speaks of the trouble associated with worry (aka obsessive thinking) and offers antidotes in Matthew 6, Luke 12 and Luke 21.
(2014, January 1). Retrieved from http://www.christian-counseling-online.com
Lets take a closer look at some Biblical "Lunatics"
(2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
King Saul had a number of problems. King Saul started out as a wise, superior leader who started to show unstable thinking over a period of time, due to a number of unfortunate encounters in his life. King Saul appears to expose symptoms of manic depression. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from
my Symptoms for manic depression: increased energy, activity, & restlessness, little sleep needed, jumping from one idea to another, denial that anything is wrong, extreme irritability, and lasting sad, anxious moods.
Saul expressed many of these symptoms throughout decisions he made. The never ending competition he had with David only added to the stress and overall insanity Saul expressed. Saul experienced anxiety in several situations. During the wars, Saul had to lead his army and throughout a significant span of his life he has to compete with David. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
Both of these illnesses became deadly for Saul. He asked his armor-bearer to let him run into his sword and his armor-bearer would not allow it. So Saul fell on his sword and killed himself. Saul gives us a clear example of how he was born normally and certain situations he experienced made him go insane. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
Nebuchadnezzar was the King of Babylon. He had a dream that “disturb him deeply” (Daniel 2:1-3). He asked sorcerers, fortune tellers, and several other psychics at that time to interpret the dream for him. No one could interpret it for him besides Daniel. Daniel predicted that God was telling the king that he would be removed from kingdom for 7 years because of his sins and he would live amongst the animals as an ox. His dream did come true and Nebuchadnezzar believed himself that he was an ox. He ate grass and lived out of his element. In the 7th year of his delusional state his “reason returned” to him and he began to praise God. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
Depression in the Bible
(2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
To me, it seems the most common mental illness in the Bible seems to be depression. It is a pretty generic illness and can affect moods, actions, and a person’s overall disposition. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
My personal symptoms of depression: fatigue and decreased energy, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness, insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping, loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, persistent sad, anxious, or empty feelings.
David: King David is known in the Bible to be a “man after God’s own heart” and yet he still experienced depression. He experienced a lot of guilt which grew into experiencing a lot of other emotions that go along with depression. A numerous amount of his Psalms express what was on his heart and how he wished to die. King David’s depression was caused from guilt from sins. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
Jeremiah: Jeremiah was such an esteemed man that some people thought he was Jesus (Matt 16:14) although he experienced depression. In Jeremiah 20:18, Jeremiah states “Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow to end my days in shame?”. Jeremiah’s depression was a little different, he felt guilt and shame not only from himself, but from the people around him. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
Although these two's depression differed in ways of how it was consumed, it still demonstrates how all people can inhabit depression. Regardless of the fact that these men were devout followers of God. (2010, January 1). Retrieved from http://kharrington.edublogs.org
Bible verses that inspire me through mental illness:
Psalm 34:17-20
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. TheLord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 4:24
So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Matthew 17:14-20
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Luke 1:37
For nothing will be impossible with God.
2 Corinthians 12:10
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Jonah 2:5-7
The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.
Psalm 56:11
In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 23:1-6
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Isaiah 43:1-28
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Luke 11:24
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God.
There is one thing I want to make clear. There were several references about demonic influences in this post, in the Biblical descriptions. I do not believe that if you have a mental illness you are under the influence of an evil spirit. Several pastors I have talked to have said the exact same thing. During Biblical times it was a common thought that if someone was acting out overly emotionally, or out of control, that they were simply "demon possessed". It was kind of just a cultural assumption of the times. I do believe in demons, but I do not believe that having a mental illness requires an exorcism :)
The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.
Psalm 56:11
In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalm 23:1-6
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Isaiah 43:1-28
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Luke 11:24
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God.
There is one thing I want to make clear. There were several references about demonic influences in this post, in the Biblical descriptions. I do not believe that if you have a mental illness you are under the influence of an evil spirit. Several pastors I have talked to have said the exact same thing. During Biblical times it was a common thought that if someone was acting out overly emotionally, or out of control, that they were simply "demon possessed". It was kind of just a cultural assumption of the times. I do believe in demons, but I do not believe that having a mental illness requires an exorcism :)
I loved researching this post.
More to come.
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