Christian Faith and your Mental Health
If you are someone who is actively involved in a Christian faith community and your spiritual life, you may notice that faith and mental health can go hand-in-hand.
There are so many ways that various belief systems intertwine with psychological practices for mental health. This should come as no surprise – aren’t both in pursuit of outlining the ways we should live? Assuming both are outlining truths, you would expect we’d see some similarities. Below are some of the ways that faith and mental health often align.
Disclaimer: This post highlights the ways psychology has aligned with most Christian churches and beliefs, based on my own understanding and experience. If you adhere to a different belief system, you may notice other similarities, although they are not be highlighted here.
1. Scriptural commands for rest
The Bible commands for Christians to engage in a weekly Sabbath. From the beginning of Scripture, this is described as a time to rest, reflect on the ways that God has provided, and refocus your attention on what really matters. A quick search in an academic database provides numerous articles and studies, both current and dated, showing the human body’s need for rest, relaxation, and separation from stress. Taking an opportunity to rest gives your brain and body an opportunity to rejuvenate.
Consider your own experience. Whether you’re someone who usually works seven days a week, or someone who works a traditional work week, consider how you feel when you arrive at the weekend or an extra day off. The chance to disconnect from your work and what can cause stress gives your body and brain a chance to recover and come back at your best.
In reality, our bodies just aren’t prepared to take on the stress of constant, ceaseless work. We need rest.
2. Scriptural commands to be in community
Most belief systems encourage or even command believers to be in community, the Christian faith included. This is often for the purpose of meeting one another’s needs and keeping each other accountable. Although being in relationship with others can be a source of stress in seasons, humans still need to connect with one another for their mental well-being as well. One study (Kraut, Li, and Zhu, 2022) considered the effects of the COVID-19 shutdowns on the mental well-being of individuals. It was found that being isolated from the greater community, whether one lives alone or with others, was a cause of mental distress for people. We were made to be amongst one another. And although your friend, mother-in-law, or coworker may make you crazy sometimes, your mental health still benefits from being around them.
3. Opportunities for self-reflection
Another aspect of most belief systems is a time of reflection, often both individually and corporately. This time affords individuals the opportunity to consider their own circumstances, their alignment with their belief systems, any areas of sin, commitment to their faith and community in their day-to-day lives, and focus on what they believe. Although this time can prompt uncomfortable feelings sometimes, it also promotes self-awareness and self-reflection. This is a trait that most of us struggle with to some degree – it is easy to go through the motions in life and pay little to no attention to what is happening within us.
Take a moment to consider the practice of mindfulness – this is a popular practice in psychology that encourages individuals to look inward and notice their physical and emotional responses in the present moment without judgement. It originates from Buddhism. This practice shares some similarities with a time of reflection and awareness of oneself. Countless studies, including one done by Sekhon (2023) have noted the incredible mental health benefits of having awareness of yourself and your experiences.
Participating in a time of reflection can be a great way to improve your mental health. If you are someone who is a part of a faith community, you may find that this practice has helped you grow and has kept you healthier than if you had neglected it.
4. Release of pressure
Lastly, consider the ways that participating in your faith community relieves pressure from yourself. For those in the Christian church, there is an understanding that God makes the world operate and takes care of things. Although this doesn’t absolve any one individual from personal responsibilities, it takes off the need to be responsible for things outside of one’s own control. Contrarily, those who do not believe in any god may feel a sense of personal responsibility to be measure up to an unidentified “goodness” standard or handle things that are beyond their control. This has the potential to put a lot of pressure on people! Trusting that you are not responsible for things beyond your own control often allows individuals to feel a bit of mental relief. You’re not responsible for everything.
If you’re someone who is involved in the church and finds that you’re struggling with your mental health, you can rest assured that there are many ways that psychology and counseling can aid you while still aligning with your beliefs. I’m happy to help you on that journey. And, if you’re someone who is interested in connecting with a church, I’d encourage you to explore that part of yourself, talk with people in your community that you can trust, and get involved in a local church. Each of these can be of great importance in your life and get you moving in the right direction.
Kraut, R. E., Li, H., & Zhu, H. (2022). Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Impacts of disease, social isolation, and financial stressors. PLoS ONE, 17(11), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277562
Sekhon, A. (2023). Mindfulness and its Impact on Mental Health: A Review. Indian Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(2), 252–255.
