Winning The War In Your Head

How do you struggle with mental health? Be honest with yourself.

It must be real because we know people who have taken their own lives. We know people who wake up every day with anxiety, depression, or heaviness they can’t shake.

Mental health is complicated. Sometimes it’s physical, a chemical imbalance that is not anyone’s fault. Sometimes it’s emotional, tied to deep wounds and hurts. And sometimes it’s spiritual, where our thoughts get away from us and drag us into dark places.

Do you struggle with mental health anxiety?

For me, I’ll be honest. My struggle is not usually medical but spiritual. I’m sinful and selfish. I forget fights, arguments, and division very easily. Most of the time I enjoy each day, love my blessings, and count them almost daily.

I’m not bragging, but I’ve learned over time that what we think about controls our emotions, our actions, and our level of peace and joy.

The Bible says, “As a person thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 NCV). What fills our mind eventually shapes who we become. This is so true.

The Apostle Paul said:“Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected” (Philippians 4:8 NCV).

He didn’t say just to know these things, he said to think about them, dwell on them, let them saturate your mind. It’s not enough to know what to do. You have to go through the process of retraining your mind and thoughts.

In my opinion, to do what Paul says, it takes prayer. It takes talking with others and seeking godly counsel. But mostly it takes prayer and journaling. And I’m not suggesting journaling negative things. They must be positive and thankful.

Personally, I don’t think it’s wise to read endlessly about the problem. In my opinion, those are just reminders that you have a problem.

Solomon even said, “Too much study will wear you out” (Ecclesiastes 12:12 NCV). Maybe that means you need to stop studying your problem and start working on the solution.

Instead, write positive things, read positive things, read the Bible, and act on the very thing you fear or don’t feel like doing. Do it - and watch the healing process at work. It’s very exciting.

You have to move forward. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me” (John 14:1 NCV). Trust isn’t passive, it means “stepping into” what feels hard because you believe God is with you.

The Apostle Peter said: “Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NCV). That’s not a one-time act, it’s a “practice”, sometimes daily, sometimes hourly.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote: “You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you” (Isaiah 26:3 NCV).

I think the practical word on this is to pray. Journal. And act. Fill your mind with God’s Word. “Live” out the truth. “Do” the very thing you’ve been avoiding. It must take “action”. Faith without action is dead. (James 2:26)

I’m just a lay guy, but I know how God has helped me overcome, and I wanted to share it. Maybe it will help you today and all the days to come.

LORD, thank you for all the blessing. Even stupid stuff like hot water, coffee, clean linens, clothes, a home, a car, a yard, a friend, church, medicine, clean water, health, time to grow and change, your word, prayer, protection, safety, good food, grocery stores, the sun, the moon, air-conditioning, counselors, being cancer free, able to workout, to talk, to hear, to see - even to walk. It may all sound crazy to some, but we have so much to be thankful for. Help us be thankful, show love, help others - and then - those struggling with mental health will begin to heal. Help them. IJNIP amen ♥️