WEBVTT 00:00:15.820 --> 00:00:18.300 Hey everyone, my name is Austin, and welcome 00:00:18.300 --> 00:00:20.339 back to another episode of the Unfiltered Faith 00:00:20.339 --> 00:00:22.980 Podcast. If this is your first time tuning in, 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:25.140 I'm so glad you're here, and if you've been here 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:27.879 before, welcome back! Today we're going to be 00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:29.739 talking about something that honestly hasn't 00:00:29.739 --> 00:00:31.899 been talked about enough in many Christian circles, 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:34.259 mental health, and why it's become such a taboo 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:36.719 within the church. So if you like to take notes, 00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:38.780 I encourage it. And while you're at it, have 00:00:38.780 --> 00:00:40.700 your Bibles out, because we're going to be looking 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:43.039 through several passages of scripture. That'll 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:48.960 help us with our discussion today. So mental 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:50.960 health struggles have often been misunderstood 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:53.359 within the church. Many believers have been told 00:00:53.359 --> 00:00:55.600 that if they just pray more or trust God, their 00:00:55.600 --> 00:00:57.719 anxiety, depression, or trauma will disappear. 00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:00.100 And I think the people who tell us these things 00:01:00.100 --> 00:01:02.560 are very well intentioned, but there's a difference 00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:05.680 between intention and impact. Imagine being told 00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:08.420 by someone the reason you have anxiety and depression 00:01:08.420 --> 00:01:10.540 is because you don't pray enough. Well, while 00:01:10.540 --> 00:01:13.709 prayer is powerful and faith is essential. The 00:01:13.709 --> 00:01:16.430 reality is that mental health is complex, just 00:01:16.430 --> 00:01:19.090 like physical health. I'd even argue that mental 00:01:19.090 --> 00:01:21.069 health is even more complicated. For centuries, 00:01:21.409 --> 00:01:23.549 mental health conditions were misunderstood and 00:01:23.549 --> 00:01:25.569 often feared. Before the advent of psychology 00:01:25.569 --> 00:01:28.430 and neuroscience, people didn't have the tools 00:01:28.430 --> 00:01:31.030 to explain why someone experienced depression, 00:01:31.209 --> 00:01:34.810 anxiety, or psychosis. Instead, societies often 00:01:34.810 --> 00:01:37.709 attributed mental illness to supernatural causes. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:41.019 personal weakness or more. During ancient times, 00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:43.040 mental health conditions were sometimes viewed 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:47.019 as possession by evil spirits resulting in inhumane 00:01:47.019 --> 00:01:50.420 treatments like exorcisms, isolation, and even 00:01:50.420 --> 00:01:53.040 physical punishments. Many people with mental 00:01:53.040 --> 00:01:55.959 illnesses were confined to asylums, where they 00:01:55.959 --> 00:01:59.180 were often treated cruelly rather than with compassion 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:01.819 and care. These historical misunderstandings 00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:04.400 led to fear and misinformation, making people 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:06.519 hesitant to acknowledge or address mental health 00:02:06.519 --> 00:02:11.610 struggles. Even as medical advancements provided 00:02:11.610 --> 00:02:14.169 better explanations for mental health disorders, 00:02:14.689 --> 00:02:18.110 stigma remained ingrained in societal beliefs. 00:02:18.810 --> 00:02:21.129 Many families preferred to keep mental health 00:02:21.129 --> 00:02:24.069 issues secret, fearing shame or ostracization. 00:02:24.389 --> 00:02:26.689 This history of silence and fear has been passed 00:02:26.689 --> 00:02:29.330 down through generations, reinforcing the taboo 00:02:29.330 --> 00:02:32.430 surrounding mental health. Some NFL players after 00:02:32.430 --> 00:02:35.310 they die have actually donated their brains for 00:02:35.310 --> 00:02:37.710 science to be studied to figure out the cause 00:02:37.710 --> 00:02:40.129 of certain brain injuries like CTE, to figure 00:02:40.129 --> 00:02:43.610 out how it affects the brain. I have a stutter. 00:02:44.009 --> 00:02:46.449 I've mentioned this in so many previous episodes, 00:02:47.050 --> 00:02:49.770 but the cause of my stutter is going through 00:02:49.770 --> 00:02:52.509 years and years of seizures. I used to have epilepsy 00:02:52.509 --> 00:02:54.889 and I can't tell you what they were like because 00:02:54.889 --> 00:02:58.129 for a lot of seizures, not all but most, you 00:02:58.129 --> 00:03:00.110 black out. And people around me who witness these 00:03:00.110 --> 00:03:03.289 seizures will tell me that it's the most insane 00:03:03.289 --> 00:03:06.090 and scariest thing that they've ever seen. But 00:03:06.090 --> 00:03:08.530 it's so interesting to see things like CAT scans, 00:03:08.930 --> 00:03:12.449 MRI, or CT scans because they'll literally show 00:03:12.449 --> 00:03:16.509 you various brain activities and patterns. Many 00:03:16.509 --> 00:03:18.930 societies value strength, resilience, and self 00:03:18.930 --> 00:03:21.580 -sufficiency. The idea of struggling mentally 00:03:21.580 --> 00:03:24.659 has long been associated with weakness, failure, 00:03:24.939 --> 00:03:28.360 or a lack of willpower. In cultures that prioritize 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:32.280 productivity and achievement, heading to mental 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:34.699 health struggles can feel like a setback or a 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:37.099 sign of incompetence. Certain cultural norms 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:40.080 reinforce the idea that people should just tough 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:42.319 it out rather than seek help. Hayes is like, 00:03:42.539 --> 00:03:45.379 just be strong. get over it, or pull yourself 00:03:45.379 --> 00:03:48.620 together, minimize the reality of mental health 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:50.960 struggles, making it difficult for people to 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:53.879 be open about their emotions. The fear of being 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:57.560 seen as weak or incapable discourages individuals 00:03:57.560 --> 00:04:00.580 from seeking the support they need. For men in 00:04:00.580 --> 00:04:04.180 particular, societal norms around masculinity 00:04:04.180 --> 00:04:08.500 often discourage vulnerability. Many men grow 00:04:08.500 --> 00:04:11.580 up hearing that they must be tough and not show 00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:15.430 emotions, which can will lead to suppressed feelings, 00:04:16.209 --> 00:04:18.949 untreated mental health conditions, and even 00:04:18.949 --> 00:04:22.209 higher suicide rates. The stigma around mental 00:04:22.209 --> 00:04:24.970 health creates an environment where individuals 00:04:24.970 --> 00:04:28.829 fear being judged if they speak up. Many people 00:04:28.829 --> 00:04:31.490 worry that hitting to mental health struggles 00:04:31.490 --> 00:04:34.649 will result in negative labels, discrimination, 00:04:35.009 --> 00:04:37.649 or rejection by family, friends, or employers. 00:04:37.750 --> 00:04:40.550 In professional settings, mental health struggles 00:04:40.550 --> 00:04:44.089 are often perceived as a liability. Employees 00:04:44.089 --> 00:04:46.430 may fear that if they disclose their mental health 00:04:46.430 --> 00:04:50.350 struggles, they will be seen as unreliable or 00:04:50.350 --> 00:04:54.269 unfit for their job. This fear leads many individuals 00:04:54.269 --> 00:04:56.810 to suffer in silence rather than seek the help 00:04:56.810 --> 00:04:59.439 that they need. Within families, mental health 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:01.220 struggles are sometimes treated as something 00:05:01.220 --> 00:05:03.079 that, to be hidden, parents may discourage their 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:05.860 children from talking about anxiety or depression, 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:09.800 fearing that it will reflect poorly on the family. 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:13.139 In some cultures, mental illness is associated 00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:15.399 with bringing shame to the household, leading 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:17.800 to further isolation for those who are struggling. 00:05:18.660 --> 00:05:20.920 Faith communities can play a powerful role in 00:05:20.920 --> 00:05:23.459 supporting mental health, but historically, some 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:26.240 religious teachings have contributed to the stigma 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:29.160 instead. Many people have been told that mental 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:31.620 illness is a result of spiritual weakness, sin, 00:05:32.100 --> 00:05:35.959 or demonic influence. This belief discourages 00:05:35.959 --> 00:05:38.819 individuals from seeking medical or professional 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:42.379 help, as they may be led to believe that prayer 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:44.860 alone should be enough to cure their struggles. 00:05:45.389 --> 00:05:47.930 While faith is an essential part of healing, 00:05:48.129 --> 00:05:50.850 it should not be seen as a replacement for therapy, 00:05:51.069 --> 00:05:53.750 medication, or professional support. Just as 00:05:53.750 --> 00:05:55.910 we wouldn't tell someone with a broken bone to 00:05:55.910 --> 00:05:59.029 simply pray without seeking medical care, we 00:05:59.029 --> 00:06:01.230 shouldn't expect those with mental health struggles 00:06:01.230 --> 00:06:03.990 to heal without proper support. Thankfully, many 00:06:03.990 --> 00:06:06.069 churches are beginning to address mental health 00:06:06.069 --> 00:06:09.050 compassionately, but there is still a long way 00:06:09.050 --> 00:06:12.129 to go in breaking the stigma within religious 00:06:12.129 --> 00:06:14.269 communities. That church should be a safe space. 00:06:14.509 --> 00:06:17.569 For healing, not a place where people feel ashamed 00:06:17.569 --> 00:06:20.290 for their struggles. Being open about mental 00:06:20.290 --> 00:06:22.670 health means admitting that we don't have everything 00:06:22.670 --> 00:06:25.670 together and that can be uncomfortable. Many 00:06:25.670 --> 00:06:27.889 people avoid conversations about mental health 00:06:27.889 --> 00:06:31.029 because they fear being judged or rejected. Others 00:06:31.029 --> 00:06:33.910 struggle to process their own emotions making 00:06:33.910 --> 00:06:36.129 it difficult to support others in their mental 00:06:36.129 --> 00:06:38.209 health journeys. In many cultures, emotional 00:06:38.209 --> 00:06:41.040 expression is discouraged. People were often 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:43.720 taught from a young age to suppress their feelings 00:06:43.720 --> 00:06:47.000 rather than express them. When emotions are constantly 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:49.879 pushed aside, they can manifest in unhealthy 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:53.540 ways, leading to increased stress, anxiety, or 00:06:53.540 --> 00:06:56.339 physical health issues. Creating a culture of 00:06:56.339 --> 00:06:59.600 openness and vulnerability is essential to breaking 00:06:59.600 --> 00:07:02.600 the taboo. People need to know that it's okay 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:05.319 not to be okay, and that seeking help is a sign 00:07:05.319 --> 00:07:08.319 of strength, not weakness. The way mental health 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:11.060 is portrayed in the media has played a significant 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:14.639 role in shaping public perception. Movies, TV 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:17.740 shows, and news stories often depict mental illness 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:20.879 and extremes either as something to be feared 00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:24.879 or as something to be pitied. These portrayals 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:28.899 reinforce fear and misunderstanding rather than 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:31.959 encouraging real conversations about mental wellness. 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:36.120 Additionally, social media has created unrealistic 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:38.860 standards of happiness and success. People often 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:40.899 compare their lives to the highlight reel of 00:07:40.899 --> 00:07:43.720 others, leading to the feelings of inadequacy 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:47.360 and isolation. The pressure to appear perfect 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:50.139 can prevent people from admitting that they are 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:52.199 struggling. The stigma surrounding mental health 00:07:52.199 --> 00:07:56.720 has real consequences. When people feel ashamed 00:07:56.720 --> 00:07:58.980 to seek help, they are more likely to suffer 00:07:58.980 --> 00:08:02.279 in silence. literally leading to worsening symptoms, 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:06.100 and in some cases, tragic outcomes such as suicide. 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:09.439 Untreated mental health conditions can also contribute 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:12.600 to substance abuse, relationship problems, and 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:14.819 physical health issues. Additionally, stigma 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:17.560 prevents open conversations about mental health 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:20.319 in schools, workplace, and communities. Without 00:08:20.319 --> 00:08:23.000 awareness and education, individuals may not 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:25.360 recognize the signs of mental illness in themselves 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:28.800 or others, delaying access to the necessary support 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:31.519 that they need. While mental health has long 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:34.919 been a taboo topic, we have the power to change 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:37.960 the narrative. Here are some ways we can break 00:08:37.960 --> 00:08:40.419 the stigma and create a culture of understanding 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:43.980 and support. Number one, normalize conversations 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:47.000 about mental health. The more we talk about mental 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:50.179 health, the less power stigma has. We need to 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:52.919 create spaces where people feel safe discussing 00:08:52.919 --> 00:08:55.940 their struggles without fear of judgment. Number 00:08:55.940 --> 00:08:59.389 two, educate ourselves and others. The learning 00:08:59.389 --> 00:09:02.789 about mental health helps us respond with empathy 00:09:02.789 --> 00:09:06.389 rather than fear. Churches, schools, and workplaces 00:09:06.389 --> 00:09:09.590 should offer education on mental health to reduce 00:09:09.590 --> 00:09:13.169 stigma. Number three, encourage seeking professional 00:09:13.169 --> 00:09:16.429 help. Counseling, therapy, and medication should 00:09:16.429 --> 00:09:18.929 be seen as tools for healing, not as signs of 00:09:18.929 --> 00:09:21.570 failure. Seeking help should be encouraged, just 00:09:21.570 --> 00:09:23.809 like seeking a doctor for physical ailments. 00:09:24.490 --> 00:09:27.269 Number four, create safe spaces for vulnerability. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:30.600 Churches, workplaces, and families should be 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:34.039 environments where people feel comfortable opening 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:37.279 up about their struggles. Leaders should lead 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:39.759 by example by sharing their own mental health 00:09:39.759 --> 00:09:44.919 journeys. 5. Foster compassion and support. Instead 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:47.179 of judging those who are struggling, offer them 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:50.120 love, understanding, and encouragement. Small 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:52.580 acts of kindness like checking in on a friend 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:55.600 or listening without judgment can make a significant 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:59.549 difference. Number six, challenge harmful beliefs 00:09:59.549 --> 00:10:02.570 and stigmas. We need to actively challenge the 00:10:02.570 --> 00:10:05.370 idea that mental illness is a weakness or a lack 00:10:05.370 --> 00:10:08.830 of faith. By shifting our perspective, we can 00:10:08.830 --> 00:10:12.289 create a world where mental health is treated 00:10:12.289 --> 00:10:14.889 with the same importance as physical health. 00:10:15.549 --> 00:10:17.809 Mental health is a crucial part of our overall 00:10:17.809 --> 00:10:20.490 well -being. It's time to break the silence and 00:10:20.490 --> 00:10:23.429 the stigma and support one another on the journey 00:10:23.429 --> 00:10:27.149 towards healing. If you're battling with XYZ 00:10:27.149 --> 00:10:29.110 mental health struggles, that's a good thing. 00:10:29.389 --> 00:10:31.269 Well, I mean, it's not a good thing, but it means 00:10:31.269 --> 00:10:33.090 you haven't lost. Just hear me out for a moment. 00:10:33.610 --> 00:10:35.610 A lot of those pastors you see on television 00:10:35.610 --> 00:10:38.129 who talk about, if you become a Christian, then 00:10:38.129 --> 00:10:40.129 you will be blessed and nothing bad will ever 00:10:40.129 --> 00:10:43.210 happen to you, are lying to you. In fact, that 00:10:43.210 --> 00:10:46.090 couldn't be further from the truth. When you 00:10:46.090 --> 00:10:48.889 become a Christian, you will be persecuted. You 00:10:48.889 --> 00:10:52.269 will be hated, just as Jesus was. The day you 00:10:52.269 --> 00:10:54.940 say, Lord, I accept you into my life. is the 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:57.220 day a target gets put on your back for Satan 00:10:57.220 --> 00:11:00.100 to attack you. For all of my friends out there 00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:02.759 who are dealing with various mental health struggles, 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:05.700 I am here for you. I may not understand what 00:11:05.700 --> 00:11:08.700 you're going through, but help me try to understand. 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:11.620 I know you're tired, but as someone who's had 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:14.820 a friend lose their battle to mental health struggles, 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:18.240 it's not much better for us either. I'm not a 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:21.139 pastor. I don't have any of those fancy Bible 00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:24.289 degrees. But I have had my own struggles with 00:11:24.289 --> 00:11:27.830 mental health, spiritual warfare, and I've done 00:11:27.830 --> 00:11:30.789 research through reading books. I don't know 00:11:30.789 --> 00:11:33.129 if you guys like to read, but I do. And a lot 00:11:33.129 --> 00:11:37.149 of the ideas I come up with for the podcasts 00:11:37.149 --> 00:11:40.610 are rooted in different books I've read or podcasts 00:11:40.610 --> 00:11:44.269 I've listened to. And one of the books I've been 00:11:44.269 --> 00:11:47.590 reading is called Winning the War in Your Mind 00:11:47.590 --> 00:11:51.460 by Craig Groeschel. Here's some... key takeaways 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:54.820 from his book. 1. Your life moves in the direction 00:11:54.820 --> 00:11:57.759 of your strongest thoughts. What you think shapes 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:01.940 who you will become. If you dwell on negative, 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:05.399 fearful, or lamenting beliefs, your actions will 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:10.539 follow suit. 2. Identify and replace negative 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:13.759 thought patterns. Recognize destructive thoughts 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:17.519 and replace them with truth. Challenge lies and 00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:20.360 replace them with God's promises and positive 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:24.639 affirmations. 3. Rewire your brain through the 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:27.679 power of reframing. You can train your brain 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:30.659 to think differently by choosing to see situations 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:33.340 more constructively. Instead of reacting with 00:12:33.340 --> 00:12:36.639 fear or frustration, look for opportunities and 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:41.840 lessons. 4. The power of the Bible is in renewing 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:45.039 your mind. Scripture plays a crucial role in 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:47.179 transforming thought patterns. Regular meditation 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:50.480 on God's word helps reshape mental habits and 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:54.500 build a faith -based mindset. Number five, create 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:58.200 new neural pathways through repetition. Your 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:01.600 brain forms habits based on repeated thoughts 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:05.039 and behaviors. By consistently replacing lies 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:07.879 with truth, you can create healthier thoughts, 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:13.080 patterns. Winning the war requires daily discipline. 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:16.259 Transformation doesn't happen overnight. It takes 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:19.600 consistent effort, prayer, meditation, and intentional 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:24.980 thinking to maintain a renewed mind. Gratitude 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:28.919 and worship shifts your focus. Instead of dwelling 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:32.000 on what's wrong, Practice gratitude and worship 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:34.620 to refocus your mind on God's goodness. Satan 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:36.740 is always going to try to attack you. The number 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:39.200 one way that he tries to attack us is through 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:42.679 our minds. If he can get our minds, he can get 00:13:42.679 --> 00:13:45.220 everything. That's why the Bible tells us to 00:13:45.220 --> 00:13:48.940 take every thought captive. Stop letting the 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:51.879 devil control your thoughts. If your mind is 00:13:51.879 --> 00:13:54.840 constantly being attacked, it's because the devil 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:57.419 knows there's something special on the inside 00:13:57.419 --> 00:14:00.179 of you. God has a big plan for your life, and 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:03.240 he doesn't want it to come to fruition. That 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:05.879 anxiety, that depression, or whatever those thoughts, 00:14:06.440 --> 00:14:10.399 those intrusive thoughts may be, they have to 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:14.080 bow to the name of Jesus. The enemy looses all 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:16.759 power when you live a life submitted to God. 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:19.820 You may be feeling the way that you do because 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:22.399 you went through actual traumatic experiences 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:25.139 that altered your brain chemistry, and you're 00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:28.980 literal neural pathways affecting the way you 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.559 see yourself in the world around you. And even 00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:33.100 though you went through all of these things, 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:35.500 whether it was from your upbringing or things 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:37.759 that happened along the way, nobody taught you 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:41.240 how to actually cope with these things or navigated 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:44.000 these really intense emotions and truly heal. 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:47.179 So now you're walking around with all of this 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:50.700 You pent up tension and trauma, and nobody likes 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:53.620 to feel discomfort or pain. So naturally, you 00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:56.799 want to feel relief from this. Still, the only 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:59.019 influences you've had were your environment, 00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:02.279 society, and the world, which is made up of short 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:04.440 -term satisfaction and temporary relief. You 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:06.820 see people distract themselves with work, with 00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:09.720 sex, with smoking, with drinking. It's in all 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:12.799 of the songs. It's in all the media. Unfortunately, 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:15.779 this is how a lot of people deal with their problems. 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:19.549 So you give in. And now what? You end up feeling 00:15:19.549 --> 00:15:23.370 that relief that you were looking for. You finally 00:15:23.370 --> 00:15:25.610 feel that sense of comfort and it's like, oh 00:15:25.610 --> 00:15:28.450 yes, this is doing the trick. Only for it to 00:15:28.450 --> 00:15:31.450 fade, leaving you feeling even emptier and leaving 00:15:31.450 --> 00:15:34.509 you chasing it again and again. Well, now you're 00:15:34.509 --> 00:15:37.289 in too deep and that is how addictions and all 00:15:37.289 --> 00:15:40.789 of these other toxic habits starts. And it just 00:15:40.789 --> 00:15:43.889 keeps spiraling out of control from there. Well, 00:15:44.049 --> 00:15:46.740 let me tell you something. Multiple people throughout 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:49.860 the Bible struggled with their mental health. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:53.299 The truth is, Christians are not exempt from 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:55.980 mental illness. In fact, we see figures in the 00:15:55.980 --> 00:16:00.200 Bible like Elijah, Job, and even David expressing 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:03.820 deep emotional distress. David was a man after 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:06.240 God's own heart, yet he struggled with deep sorrow. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:09.259 This tells us that being a Christian does not 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:13.019 mean we Won't experience emotional pain. So how 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:15.360 do we navigate mental health while holding on 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:18.200 to our faith? The book of Psalms and problems 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:22.220 are tools for daily living The Psalms are a collection 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:26.179 of 150 poems songs and prayers The Psalms are 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:29.100 filled with a wide range of very real human emotions 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:31.919 and experiences and they serve as a source of 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:34.700 inspiration and encouragement for worship and 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:38.840 reflection problems is filled with moral teachings 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:43.399 and guidance, and offers practical guidance on 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:46.220 how to live a godly and successful life, focusing 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:49.259 on wisdom, discipline, and understanding God's 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:51.600 perspective on life. The Bible says that in 1 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:55.320 Kings 19, that after Elijah had defeated almost 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:59.940 900 prophets of Baal and Asherah, Jezebel threatened 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:03.220 to kill Elijah, so he ran. It says in the text 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:06.569 that Elijah says, I have had enough, Lord. take 00:17:06.569 --> 00:17:10.450 my life for I am no better than my ancestors." 00:17:10.450 --> 00:17:13.529 Elijah battled depression. God didn't send an 00:17:13.529 --> 00:17:17.750 angel to preach to him or tell him he needed 00:17:17.750 --> 00:17:21.190 to pray more or condemn him for the way he felt. 00:17:21.829 --> 00:17:25.190 He sent an angel to comfort him while he rested. 00:17:26.089 --> 00:17:28.609 When I read that passage of scripture, I was 00:17:28.609 --> 00:17:31.490 envisioning myself in that situation of an angel 00:17:31.490 --> 00:17:33.690 approaching me with a bucket of fried chicken, 00:17:33.930 --> 00:17:36.670 some Dr. Pepper, and telling me, you'll be okay, 00:17:36.849 --> 00:17:39.009 just eat some fried chicken, drink some Dr. Pepper, 00:17:39.309 --> 00:17:42.150 and go to bed. Sometimes that's all we need. 00:17:42.769 --> 00:17:44.849 Our favorite comfort food, drink, and a nap. 00:17:45.809 --> 00:17:48.710 Counselors, therapists, and even medication can 00:17:48.710 --> 00:17:51.690 be gifts from God to help us heal, just like 00:17:51.690 --> 00:17:54.339 we would seek a doctor for a broken bone. we 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:57.160 can seek mental health professionals for emotional 00:17:57.160 --> 00:18:00.400 and psychological wounds. Mental illness is just 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:03.400 that, it's an illness, but in our heads. And 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:05.339 I don't mean it's like it's all in your head, 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:08.819 doesn't exist, and you're making it up, but it's 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:11.079 literally like a physical illness, but it's like 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:14.279 our minds get sick. People don't condemn others 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:17.019 for getting a cold, having strep, or some other 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:19.460 illness. We get taken care of by doctors, our 00:18:19.460 --> 00:18:22.630 parents, or ourselves. and oftentimes people 00:18:22.630 --> 00:18:25.609 will tell us to feel better. We need that same 00:18:25.609 --> 00:18:28.589 kind of treatment when we're feeling mentally 00:18:28.589 --> 00:18:31.690 unwell. Healing needs to start within the church. 00:18:32.349 --> 00:18:34.890 We need to create church committees that are 00:18:34.890 --> 00:18:37.650 safe spaces for those struggling. Instead of 00:18:37.650 --> 00:18:41.109 saying, just have faith, we can say, I see you, 00:18:41.269 --> 00:18:44.069 I'm here for you. Let's walk through this together. 00:18:44.769 --> 00:18:48.369 Ask anyone. Positive affirmations can go a long 00:18:48.369 --> 00:18:51.339 way. For so many people, the church is a place 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:53.299 of worship, community, and spiritual growth. 00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.680 But for those struggling with mental health challenges, 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:58.640 it can be a place of deep loneliness if they 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:02.059 don't feel seen, heard, or supported. It's time 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:04.299 for the church to break the stigma and embrace 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:07.519 the reality that mental health struggles do not 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:09.599 mean a lack of faith. David cried out to God 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:13.440 in distress. Elijah felt so overwhelmed he wanted 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:16.539 to die. And even Jesus expressed deep sorrow 00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:19.529 in the Garden of Gethsemane. If these spiritual 00:19:19.529 --> 00:19:22.410 giants experienced emotional suffering, why should 00:19:22.410 --> 00:19:26.029 we expect to be immune? So how can the church 00:19:26.029 --> 00:19:29.529 become a refuge for those battling with mental 00:19:29.529 --> 00:19:32.529 health challenges? It starts with leadership. 00:19:33.089 --> 00:19:36.930 Pastors and church leaders must speak openly 00:19:36.930 --> 00:19:41.029 about mental health from the pulpit. When leadership 00:19:41.029 --> 00:19:44.369 acknowledges these struggles, it sends a powerful 00:19:44.369 --> 00:19:47.579 message that no one is alone in their pain. The 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:50.359 church should also provide spaces for honest 00:19:50.359 --> 00:19:54.079 conversations, support groups, counseling services, 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:56.980 or even small groups where people feel safe sharing 00:19:56.980 --> 00:20:00.099 their experiences. Jesus himself was a model 00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:02.779 of compassion. He met people in their suffering 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:05.380 and embraced them with love. The church should 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:08.859 reflect that same heart. Additionally, churches 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:12.140 can work to provide training for their leaders 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:15.940 and volunteers on mental health awareness. Many 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:18.339 pastors are not trained counselors, but they 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:21.240 can be equipped with the knowledge to offer guidance 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:23.799 and refer people to mental health professionals 00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:27.519 when necessary. This is an opportunity for churches 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:29.940 to build partnerships with Christian counselors, 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:32.920 therapists, and mental health organizations. 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:35.900 The way we approach mental health in the church 00:20:35.900 --> 00:20:38.559 matters. It can mean the difference between someone 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:42.539 feeling embraced or rejected, help or left in 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:45.819 despair. As believers, we are called to be the 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:48.420 hands and feet of Jesus. And that means offer 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:50.619 tangible support to those who are struggling. 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:53.920 If we truly want the church to be a healing place, 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:56.839 we must cultivate an environment where vulnerability 00:20:56.839 --> 00:21:00.259 is not met with judgment, but with grace. But 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:04.160 how do we do that? Well, number one, we should 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:06.990 listen without judgment. When someone opens up 00:21:06.990 --> 00:21:08.869 about their struggles, they don't need a quick 00:21:08.869 --> 00:21:11.349 fix or a Bible verse thrown at them. They need 00:21:11.349 --> 00:21:14.970 to feel heard and understood. Number two, educate 00:21:14.970 --> 00:21:18.369 yourselves. Mental health is real. Learning about 00:21:18.369 --> 00:21:21.269 depression, anxiety, and trauma helps us respond 00:21:21.269 --> 00:21:24.910 with wisdom and empathy. Number three, encourage 00:21:24.910 --> 00:21:28.690 professional help. Seeking counseling or therapy 00:21:28.690 --> 00:21:31.490 is not a lack of faith. It's a step towards healing. 00:21:32.230 --> 00:21:34.190 The church should partner with mental health 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:37.220 professionals to support those in need. Number 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:41.359 four, be the hands and feet of Jesus. Offer practical 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:44.500 help. Check in on those who are struggling. Pray 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:47.140 for them. Yes, but also walk along with them 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:50.460 in their journey. Number five, normalize mental 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:53.299 health discussions. The more we talk about it, 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:56.960 the less power stigma has. Let's start a small 00:21:56.960 --> 00:22:00.980 group, host mental health workshops, and integrate 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:03.240 these conversations into our church culture. 00:22:03.630 --> 00:22:08.250 Number six, provide resources. Churches can create 00:22:08.250 --> 00:22:10.569 directories of Christian counselors, therapists, 00:22:10.970 --> 00:22:14.049 and support groups for their congregations. And 00:22:14.049 --> 00:22:17.210 number seven, foster accountability. The haters 00:22:17.210 --> 00:22:19.289 should be held accountable for how they handle 00:22:19.289 --> 00:22:22.789 mental health issues in their congregation. Churches 00:22:22.789 --> 00:22:26.609 must be actively working towards being places 00:22:26.609 --> 00:22:30.490 of healing rather than a place of harm. Healing 00:22:30.490 --> 00:22:33.009 mental health starts within the church. It starts 00:22:33.009 --> 00:22:36.430 when we choose to love like Jesus, to be a refuge 00:22:36.430 --> 00:22:39.509 rather than a place of shame, and to offer real 00:22:39.509 --> 00:22:42.470 support rather than silence. If you are struggling 00:22:42.470 --> 00:22:44.789 today, know that you are not alone. Your pain 00:22:44.789 --> 00:22:47.549 matters, and there is hope. If you're struggling 00:22:47.549 --> 00:22:50.029 with your mental health, what are some steps 00:22:50.029 --> 00:22:53.029 you can take to improve your mental health while 00:22:53.029 --> 00:22:56.390 holding onto your faith? Well, number one, we 00:22:56.390 --> 00:22:59.000 should seek professional help. Find a Christian 00:22:59.000 --> 00:23:01.579 therapist or counselor who understands both faith 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:04.660 and mental health. Prayer twice, faith and scripture. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:08.500 While prayer isn't a fix -all, it can provide 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:12.940 peace and reassurance. Surround yourself with 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:15.619 support. Join a small group, talk to a pastor, 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:19.859 or convide in a trusted friend. Take care of 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:22.559 your body. Exercise, eat well, and get enough 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:25.259 sleep. Our bodies and minds are deeply connected. 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:31.460 Give yourself grace, healing tapes, time. God 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:33.900 is patient and so should we with ourselves. How's 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:36.579 your self talk? What kinds of things do you say 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:39.079 to yourself or about yourself when no one is 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:41.740 watching? What kinds of things do you say to 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:43.960 yourself or about yourself when everyone is watching? 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:48.319 Do they line up with each other? It says in 1st 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:51.140 John 3 .20, if our hearts condemn us, God is 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:53.119 greater than our hearts and knows all things. 00:23:53.549 --> 00:23:56.069 I will be the first to admit that I talk horribly 00:23:56.069 --> 00:23:59.049 about myself and to myself sometimes. Paul talks 00:23:59.049 --> 00:24:02.670 about, in first Corinthians 4, it doesn't matter 00:24:02.670 --> 00:24:05.589 what any person thinks about me. It doesn't even 00:24:05.589 --> 00:24:07.950 matter what I think about me. All that matters 00:24:07.950 --> 00:24:10.589 is what God thinks about me. If there's two things 00:24:10.589 --> 00:24:12.529 I want you to take away from today's episode, 00:24:12.730 --> 00:24:15.529 it's this. Number one, your mental health matters 00:24:15.529 --> 00:24:17.789 to God. You are not alone in your struggles. 00:24:18.670 --> 00:24:22.579 Seeking help is okay. Faith in mental wellness 00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:26.900 can go hand in hand. Number two, seeking professional 00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:29.519 help is not a lack of faith, it's wisdom. Proverbs 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:33.259 11 and 14 says, where there is no guidance, a 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:35.779 people falls. But in an abundance of counselors, 00:24:36.140 --> 00:24:38.460 there is safety. Before we wrap up today's episode, 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:40.480 I want to give you guys three challenges for 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:43.500 the week. Number one, every day for the next 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:46.039 week, write down one achievement, no matter how 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:48.720 small. Sometimes I don't even have the energy 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:51.430 to get out of bed. I still woke up, didn't I? 00:24:51.750 --> 00:24:53.990 That counts. Every day for the next week, replace 00:24:53.990 --> 00:24:57.230 one negative thought about yourself with a kind, 00:24:57.730 --> 00:25:00.049 encouraging statement. That's number two. And 00:25:00.049 --> 00:25:03.170 number three, every day for the next week, spend 00:25:03.170 --> 00:25:06.029 at least 10 minutes outside, whether it's a short 00:25:06.029 --> 00:25:09.690 walk, sitting in the sun, or even just opening 00:25:09.690 --> 00:25:13.089 a window and breathing in fresh air. Your mood 00:25:13.089 --> 00:25:16.450 isn't gonna shift overnight, but I hope by day 00:25:16.450 --> 00:25:19.589 seven, These challenges are going to be substantially 00:25:19.589 --> 00:25:22.349 easier than day one. Thank you for joining me 00:25:22.349 --> 00:25:24.549 today on the Unfiltered Faith Podcast. If this 00:25:24.549 --> 00:25:26.789 episode encouraged you, share it with a friend 00:25:26.789 --> 00:25:29.269 who might need to hear it. Don't forget to like, 00:25:29.410 --> 00:25:32.150 subscribe, and leave a review. Until next time, 00:25:32.289 --> 00:25:34.250 keep seeking those fresh perspectives and keep 00:25:34.250 --> 00:25:36.710 having those unfiltered conversations to better 00:25:36.710 --> 00:25:38.089 understand the world around us.