This blog post was originally written in 2023 as part of a series around mental health.

Over the next few weeks, I (Pastor Garet) want to tackle different questions around mental health as part of our observance of Mental Health Month this May.  Mental health is something that is important to me.  And I hope these blog posts  can be of service to you and your family.  I will be looking at:

1. What is mental health?
2. What is mental illness?
3. Does mental health matter to God?
4. How can I better take care of my mental health and the mental health of my family?

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is a state of mind characterized by emotional well-being, good behavioral adjustment, relative freedom from anxiety and disabling symptoms, and a capacity to establish constructive relationships and cope with the ordinary demands and stresses of life.  – American Psychological Association (APA) *

I love this definition from the APA because it shows us how our mind can affect our emotions and actions as we live and operate within the world.  The way our mind works determines so much of how we handle the good and bad moments of living in a world that is full of good and bad.  Our mind is fundamental to how we live, work, and play in this world.  

But I would like to offer a simpler definition.  

Mental health is that voice that you have heard every single day of your life.  Ever since you had self awareness, you have heard this voice.  This voice sounds different for each of us.  

It is you, talking to you, about you.  

Sometimes, your inner voice offers positive commentary.
Sometimes, your inner voice offers negative commentary. 
Sometimes, your inner voice is confusing.

We will talk more about the negative parts of our mental health in a different post, but for now, let’s just focus on our inner voice and the role it plays in our life.  Your inner voice helps to determine how you react to the ordinary and stressful moments of life.  Your inner voice affects your actions and your emotions.  Your inner voice is you thinking about your thinking.               

And we have to realize something rather important: no other living being in the world does this.  Not a dog, not a chicken, maybe my cat, but definitely not a fish.  We are the only beings in this world that have this internal dialogue.  This is not by accident, nor is it a flaw in the design.  

We were created differently in Genesis 1-2.  God spoke light, water, land, and animals into existence.  He said it and it happened.  But human beings were created when God formed us in His image out of the dirt of the earth and breathed His breath of life into us.  Our heavenly Father made us to be self aware with this inner voice.  Our mental health, our physical health, and our spiritual health are not three distinct aspects within us, but rather they are all parts of what makes us a human being created by God.  

Because God created us to be self aware, God cares about our mental health.  He gave us that inner voice and He cares deeply about it.  We will dig into the ways He has shown His care for our mental health as we explore the intersection of mental health and the effects that sin has on it.  But for now, we need to accept that we are more than just bodies, but bodies with souls that were created by God.  Therefore, mental health matters to God.  

Mental health is you, talking to you, about you.  But allow God’s voice to speak to you also.

Psalm 46:10: Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.

Matthew 28:20  …I (Jesus speaking) am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.

If you have any questions or want to talk about this more, please do not hesitate to talk to me.

In Christ, 
Pastor Garet Ellis

pastor@christcommunityleesburg.org

Check out other resources on our website: https://www.christcommunityleesburg.org/mentalhealth