God of the Oppressed in Spirit -mental illness

Our understanding of people has changed a lot since the days when Jesus walked on this earth.  Back in those days, people with symptoms of what we call mental illness were viewed as demon-possessed.  Today, terms like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, trauma & eating disorders are terms that many of us heard of.

Some leading Biblical characters showed symptoms of what we today would call mental illness.  Job, Jonah, Elijah, & Jeremiah all experienced such deep anguish that they wanted to die.  Job 3:11 says, Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came out of the womb?  (See also Job 7:11, Jonah 4:3, I Kings 19:4 and Jeremiah 20:18.)  Yet they are all considered great examples of deep faith.

King Saul's behavior suggests that he may have been bipolar, according to an article by George Stein in the British Journal of Psychiatry (March, 2011).  He cites I Samuel 10:10-13, 16:23, and 19:23-24. Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzer had a period in his life when his reason left him, according to Daniel 4:36, but this served to teach him that God Alone is in control of life.  The Psalms are full of anguish, especially Psalm 88.  So there were mental illnesses in the Scriptures, although they were not understood as that back then.

Psalm 34:18 says, The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Yes, God is the God of the oppressed in spirit.  If you are feeling despondent, or low in spirit, remember that promise.  God knows what it's like to be crushed in spirit, because his Son Jesus was crushed in spirit when he died on the cross.

Here are several suggestions from Teresa Lockhart Stricklen:
Remember: STORE UP SCRIPTURE.  Memorizing verses like these can help subdue thoughts that affect one's mental health.  If you struggle to memorize things, write them down where you will be reminded.  Memorizing them or repeating them helps our souls to absorb it like a sponge absorbs water.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

I John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

BREATH PRAYERS consist of repeating a phrase with every breath, to plant the prayer thought deep in your soul.  You can pray one of the previous verses.

GOOD THINKING: The Bible instructs us in Philippians 4:8, 

Finally, brothers & sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—

  -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

As ambassadors of Christ, who heals our infirmities, we have spiritual medicine to offer alongside medical treatment.