Good Morning and welcome to today's Daily Scripture Word!

Today's question asks:

• Is Mental Illness addressed in The Bible? Does The Bible say anything about being medicated?

I read this question and am quite saddened.  Not so much because the question is wrong, or something that shouldn't be asked, but rather that there are those among us who so vehemently deny that Mental Illness is real, that some Christians are left confused.  Let me just come out and say: Mental Illness is real, and it is not 'demon possession'. 

Furthermore, Mental Illness is indeed found in The Bible.  A perfect example is found in I Kings 19:4 where the greatest Old Testament Prophet, Elijah, was so depressed, so 'at the bottom of the barrel', that he actually asked God to kill him - we'd call that a Suicidal Tendency.  In today's health sector, Elijah would have been admitted to a Mental Health Ward and placed on Suicide Watch.  So to deny Mental Illness is real is merely ignorance.

Addressing Mental Illness in The Bible is found a manner you might think strange.  For whilst you can (as just demonstrated) read of folks suffering from depression, anxiety, fear, etc., The Bible addresses these and other Mental Health Issues by offering verses of comfort, designed to give strength and encouragement.  Actual diagnosis and labels are skipped as the help made the priority.

As to being medicated, people being given and receiving medication is also found in The Bible.  A really simple example is found in I Timothy 5:23 where the Apostle Paul gives medical/medicine advice to his trainee, Timothy.  You find a similar practice being performed whilst Christ hung on the Cross.

To all of this though is the understanding that, complete healing, or the strength to continue in life, will only actually come from The Lord.  This is where I think those people in Christian circles who deny Mental Illness exists make their actual mistake.  At the same time, this is where people who absolutely believe Mental Illness is real can also make a mistake.  Mental Illness IS real, but the answer to everything is always Jesus.

SO, seek professional help if you find yourself struggling with Mental Health issues, just as you would seek professional help if you found yourself struggling with a broken arm or a headache!  But keep in mind that medicine and doctors alone are not the answer, you need Jesus also!  Get some Bible counselling too, surround yourself with fellow believers too, get to Church as often as you can - even if you have to sit down the back or in another room and listen from a distance.  Don't allow Mental Illness to pull you away from God, God's House, or God's people - that's not Mental Illness, that's the devil exploiting your circumstances!