A world away, my husband’s patched-through voice responded to my ill-directed words, “I can’t.” In all the years of deployments and boots-on-the-ground, desperation had never settled this deep in my heart. I regretted the question, but it hung in the silence between us.

When a woman’s child wrestles and wars with mental illness, his mother will resort to almost anything.

What Does the Bible Say About Suffering and Mental Illness?

Blame shifting, finger-pointing, and fault finding. I’ve done them all and the accusatory ticker tape always points my direction.

You’re the reason he struggles. Your faulty genetics led to his pain. You. Are. To. Blame.

If your child or teen struggles with anxiety, a mood disorder, ADHD, depression, or any of a myriad of mental health issues, you probably relate.  But the Bible reveals far different reasons for suffering. Some are highlighted below.

• “Paradise was lost to pain through the sinful actions of our first parents.” (Biblestudytools.com) As I mentioned in the article quoted here; decay and corrosion left their imprint on God’s perfect design when Adam and Eve chose pride. As a result, suffering transcended mind, body, and spirit for all generations.

 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16 NKJV)

Because sin entered the world, disease, death, depression and other mental health issues impact people like Naomi Judd, Amber Heard, and even little boys and girls.

• Earlier this week, I overheard someone remark, “She has no enemies.” If you believe in Jesus as Lord, that statement is unequivocally false. Before you start launching angry emails my direction, I’m not equating mental illness with demon possession.

However, as someone who struggles with anxiety, I am aware that Satan takes advantage of my weakness if I allow it. When I focus on negative thoughts, worries, or concerns, my problems grow in proportion, and I lose sight of God’s power.

What Does the Bible Say About Mental Illness and Children? Click To Tweet

Clinging to scriptures like 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV),

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

And Romans 12:2 (NKJV),

…be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

strengthen and equip me to trust “in the hope held out in the gospel”. (Col. 1:23)

• Have you, too, parented through public meltdowns? I can still hear the silent accusations and judging eyes burning into my retreating back.

 

How Jesus’ Compassion and God’s Glory Impact Our View of Mental Illness

While the couple mentioned in John 9:1-3 didn’t have a child with hidden mental health issues, they dealt with the weight of religious blame and understood how it feels to be judged.

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. (John 9:1-3 NKJV)

If I could, I might take my scissors to these words. Clip them from scripture. Because, honestly, I do not want my son to walk the road of struggle and hardship. I long to smooth the way. Close the gaps.

But perhaps Jesus wants more.

Maybe he wants to turn an entire family, synagogue, city, or religious system upside down because one teen boy–or girl–loves him. That was the story of the young blind man who received sight.

 

Three Lessons About Hidden Mental Health Issues

Mental Illness Does Not Discriminate–Studies about childhood trauma and mental illness continue. And social scientists banter about genetics versus environmental factors and their impact on mental health.

When our child hurts, studies and debates matter little unless they lead to a better, more fulfilling life for the one we love.

But the hardest moments–the fear in his eyes, the self-harm, the hospital visits–those times perpetually encased in teardrops and whispered petitions, dissolve into hope when transformed by the holy words of Revelation 7:17 (ESV), “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

 

Your Child is Not the Enemy-Recognizing the difference between typical misbehavior and the behavior caused by the illness often creates confusion. Regardless, when we deescalate our reactions and remain calm, it helps the child feel safe and engages our prefrontal cortex–the logical part of the brain.

Not only that, but our children do have a spiritual enemy from whom they need protection. And, in many ways, they often require help learning to guard and protect themselves from mental illness by learning healthy coping skills and dealing with the potential risks of self-harm.

 

Beat the Stigma-While the young man received both sight and salvation, his parents abandoned him to the leaders of the synagogue. They feared social repercussions for affiliating with their healed son.

 

In the same way–we can leave our children to flounder–at church, in youth group, and among the socially polite. Or we can shed the shame associated with mental illness and beat the stigma. Our actions will speak for us as we pronounce over our sons and daughters, “I love you regardless.”

 

Peace and grace,

Tammy

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