What the Bible Says about Depression & Anxiety (and tools to minister grace and hope)
God is with you in the midst of your mental health challenge. Let’s start there and reframe from rest, not desperation from defeat.
Often, people experiencing low moods, anxious pressures, intense fear, etc., have church leaders (and friends) assume that their “emotional” challenge is a spiritual weakness within and from without (spiritual warfare/attack). It’s an assumption, not what’s true about you. This is not a weak faith desperation fight… It’s a different type of “fighting.”
“Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called….”
- 1 Timothy 6:12
This scripture and others must be used in a beautiful context, not as a mandate to eliminate a mental health difficulty or disorder. Let’s explore how to reframe this from context and practical grace … to "fight the good fight."
1. Why does this “Fight the good fight” counsel not work … and worsen the condition?
Just like a doctor is trained to use physical or medical diagnostics, church leaders are trained to use “spiritual diagnostics” to determine what’s wrong. Thus, mental health is often misread and misunderstood with questions looking for spiritual fault, such as,
"How's your time with the Lord?"
“How's your prayer life?"
"Is there anything you need to get right with God in your life?"
The problem, as you and many know, is that this diagnostic questioning comes across as, “You’re failing against the enemy, so fight to get God’s blessing to make all of this go away … fix yourself spiritually so God can bless you.” It also has this subtle feeling that they have to keep “fighting” to keep the enemy/devil at bay and “fight” for a personal “breakthrough." It implies, “If you do your part, God will do His!” Again, this is not true - nor does God put you in isolated “fighting” to test you (James 1:13).
Yes, it’s hurtful, and at the same time, you can learn to give grace to your church leaders (and friends) because they don’t have the language (education or training) to understand what you’re going through. Remember, as your general practitioner typically isn’t asking about your spiritual life when dealing with the flu'; your church leader (or friend) is not typically asking about general mental health questions.
We need to unlearn this type of “fight for God” counsel because of the psychology and science of what’s going on with this counsel:
+ Brain/mind predictors and associations of threat: Our brains create associations (for positive and negative) to predict good (do more) or bad (do less, avoid). The challenge is that this type of counsel implies (associates) depression, anxiety, or any mental or emotional pain (and diagnosis ) as bad … God’s displeasure or a sign of the enemy (i.e., devil, demonic forces, intense spiritual warfare). It does not reframe or reinforce safety “In Christ.”
+ Weakness associations create a negative / sin bias: It associates more blame on the person and is more vulnerable, or weak, to “the enemy.” So, if they have a bad day, they can easily go into unhealthy introspection, associating "the fight” with losing and feeling, “I’m not enough.” It creates a negative bias that turns into a spiritual “sin bias,” always searching for what’s wrong and “to get right with God.” It triggers more anxiety, and they end up more exhausted! We’ll get to the hope below!
+ The neuroscience of why we get stuck in an anxiety loop of “fighting the good fight.” The counsel to keep "fighting the good fight" is re-triggering the amygdala (brain threat response center) to stay on high alert and can increase more scrupulous thinking (ongoing moral, spiritual guilt) to find the cause (i.e., sins, unfaithfulness to God, questioning salvation, etc.). A negative loop filter keeps trying to find the right spiritual “fix” formula to get right with God so that God will release a blessing to remove the pain. However, in prolonged states, this disrupts the brain’s ability to process thoughts and balance moods … staying stuck in fight, flight or freeze mode … and leading to physical fatigue. Clinical research shows that people with depression and anxiety have an overactive amygdala (making it difficult for healthy processes - low cognitive executive functioning).
+ Why it works at first but then within hours or a day, it’s all back: The adrenaline may be so high in this initial effort that they may experience relief (maybe right after the sermon or counsel session) … but the anxiety quickly returns with disappointment. In tears, after seeing no results, the questions end up being,
"I'm doing everything I can. God, where are you?“
“God, why are you so silent … what am I doing wrong?“
“God, why are you not helping me … God, please?"
Faith feels dim and downright exhausting! The church leader doesn’t know what else to do, either.
But, there is another, and more positive, way to look at this to find comfort and experience more relieving hope.
“Faith is not motivated by behavior; it's inspired by belonging.”
2. Reinforce the grace of belonging (in Christ) to inspire change vs. spiritual fighting to get more blessings.
Happiness, success, and “abundance” are not signs of God’s approval, and the lack of “abundance” and suffering are not signs of God’s disapproval, displeasure, or punishment. God has already “blessed” us and “graced” us for all seasons of life (see Philippians 4:12).
For someone struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, this mindset of “fight the good fight” to get God’s blessings or a breakthrough from the “enemy/devil” reinforces the idea that "behavior rewards belonging (blessings)," as opposed to a healthier view of "belonging (already blessed) inspires behavior."
We are not trying to reach God; He has already reached fully into us … He is at rest within us (see John 14:20, 1 Cor. 1:22, Eph. 1:13-14 and Heb. 4:11). Thus, we abandon every effort to be blessed and favored by God, and instead, discover how blessed and favored we already are … right within our mental health challenges. Yes, during a panic attack, exhausting depression, overwhelming fear, or intrusive or audible voices - Jesus is entirely in and with us, providing and giving us life (grace is the presence of God, not a feeling of cheering support from afar).
In the mental and emotional pain, there is naturally a lot of doubt about God’s goodness and presence in this process. Doubt is an everyday experience in mental health challenges, and it’s okay to let it strengthen your faith. Remember, the neurochemistry, nervous system, and physical reaction are on high alert and are looking for a new prediction formula to make sense of the pain. Just like if you burn your hand, you immediately look for cool water; your brain and body are on “fire” and looking for “living water” to be refreshed. The problem is that we don’t know or understand that we are already in the fountain of life (see John 7:38). Our belonging is already in life, not far from it.
3. Our identity in/with Christ is not a behavior issue; it’s always based on our relationship with and in Jesus … our constant belonging and connectedness to Jesus … no matter our condition, period!
Think about it this … we always act, look, and sound like the people we are connected with.
This goes into the unique insights of what’s called “Mimetics.” You begin to mirror the very people you are connected with. You have your particular language, customs, and rituals. We naturally influence each other and mirror our “belonging” in good and challenging times. In Christ, we reflect our belonging in and with Him (see 2 Cor. 3:18). You can read more about this in our FREE three-day Identity devotional.
So, “Fight the good fight” is not starting with a conviction of “what’s wrong” in the relationship - instead, “what’s right and secure!”
So, we can start with His numerous right thoughts about us (see Psalm 139:17 and Psalm 40:11). We begin with what we have … complete and lacking in nothing (see Ps. 23:1 and Col. 2:9-10).
So, when you pray and ask for help, it’s not trying to figure out if you’re praying according to His will but knowing His will for you in everything is accessed and open. He is ready to help with all your needs (see Heb 4:16). It’s His delight to respond and be with you right in the middle of it all … He is with you.
But it gets more encouraging!!!!
4. Fight from a secure rest vs. fighting to achieve more freedom.
The context of this scripture (1 Timothy 6:12) is not a position of mental or emotional failure or having to muster up more will, strength, or faith because you are weak.
Instead, the apostle Paul is reminding us of our permanent security. He reminds us not to let the world around us interpret who we truly are and get misled following those false “exhausting” patterns - formulas.
Paul is saying,
"It's not a ‘works’ fight; it's a ‘focus’ fight."
Paul is reminding us that we have a WHOLE new creation identity, a new creation humanity always full of grace (not of weakness, see Colossians 2:9-10, 3:10). We are in a new covenant relationship with His Spirit, inseparable love. This is not a weak faith issue; it’s a true you and union with Christ focus.
Because of this, we can "fight" to stay focused on our eternal security, even in depression, anxiety, or any other challenge.
It's not a works fight; it's a focus fight … Because a great identity-value focus always leads to new ways of living, not vice versa!
Paul follows up the call to "fight the good fight" by saying,
"Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
This means your true identity and grace in Christ are already within reach (and always constant) —for any journey, condition, or circumstance. So, “fight the good fight” really means …
You’re already interconnected and lovingly secure in Christ! Don’t give up or give in to anything contrary to what Christ has already fulfilled in you!
In any mental health challenge or condition (depression, anxiety, or other difficulties), take hold of (focus on) what you have and rest in your new creation reality! Create life around that, not working to get it - as if it were far off.
In my humble opinion, Paul is encouraging that any counsel, teaching, or thought that leaves you feeling like a failure, empty, seen as a broken sinner, hungry and thirsty (desperation) for God, or trying to evoke a far-off God is not good news “in Christ.”
5. We walk through our challenges with a wholeness mindset vs. a brokenness focus.
I love to remind people on this journey,
“We’re in a wholeness journey, not a brokenness one.”
A brokenness mindset only begets more brokenness, leading to “learned helplessness.” These states of being leave you feeling hopeless and remove intrinsic motivators. However, a wholeness mindset will beget more wholeness, leading to “learned hopefulness.”
Let's review some scriptures that highlight who we really are with a “wholeness in Christ” mindset:
Your breakthrough in Christ has already been fulfilled - now you can create life from it. Jesus already made a breakthrough once and for all; we are completely new and lacking in nothing. You no longer need to strive for more of God's blessings or more spiritual breakthroughs. You don’t need to strive for a new level of faith; you’re just learning to mature and grow in your faith. We are living out and growing from (not for) our new wholeness in Christ (Romans 6:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:3 and 2:14; 1 Peter 3:18 and Colossians 1:28 - “complete” to be mature).
The wholeness and oneness with God are fulfilled; there is never any distance or separation. Jesus is at rest (complete satisfaction) with us, and we are at rest (satisfaction) with Him. He has already made us secure over-comers through faith (and maturing in our whole state of faith). We are already resting in our eternal security, with no more striving to achieve more faith and freedom (Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:13-18 Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27; Hebrews 4:11; 1 John 5:3).
His grace works within us for our benefit (growth). We rest in knowing He is guiding us by grace and working in us toward His good advantage, will, and pleasure. There is no need to strain ourselves to get more grace or blessings. The Holy Spirit of Grace, grace itself, is our instructor of life, not works for more grace (Romans 8:28, 32; Philippians 2:13, Titus 2:11-15).
"I am completely satisfied with you." Christ is our security as the author, perfecter, and finisher of faith and our lives. He cares for us through all of our afflictions and trials. There is no need to achieve or impress Him to be free from our painful circumstances (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:2).
If God said He will be with us, He means it. This is what we "take hold of" and rest in through the ups and downs of depression, anxiety, etc.
EXTRA: How Jesus focused His “fight the good fight” vs. more works to prove his faith.
When the devil approached Jesus in the wilderness, he tried to tempt Jesus by questioning His identity with his pain. If you notice, the questions were related to testing Jesus’ identity to create fear, tempting Him to prove Himself, and even giving up His identity for earthly means and glory.
The devil tempted Jesus by saying,
“If you are the Son of God, then … (an action to prove His identity/Himself).”
Jesus "fought the good fight" by resting in the Truth of who He was and His secure relationship (belonging) with the Father, not by proving it with works.
Jesus responded with the Truth,
“It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test" (Matthew 4:7).
Jesus rested securely in the true focus of who He was, His secure abiding relationship IN THE Father, and what His true mandate and focus on earth was … to serve us (Philippians 2). Thus, Jesus endured the wilderness with intimate security, not a formula of a distant God.
As a result, the devil departed, and Jesus returned from the wilderness in great power (Matthew 4 / Luke 4).
And you can and will return from the wilderness in great power, too!
A couple of tips on enduring and “fighting the good fight (focus).”
a) Endure the hardship and fight the good fight by ACCEPTING how depression, anxiety, or any other mental health challenge affects you. Acceptance does not equal spiritual failure or that depression, anxiety, or other disorders are your identity; it is a condition affecting you.
Practically, these conditions impact you physically and mentally/emotionally. It would be best to have ways to rest (at a slower pace to regain strength), use healthy tools (body, brain, emotions), and allow time, not a deadline, for a breakthrough. Christ is in you, and He is not distant from you in this journey. You are enough, and that's what it means to lack nothing in Christ!
"The Word of God (Jesus) is holding you more than you are trying to hold Him!"
b) Fight the good fight knowing that and resting in the Truth (Jesus) is holding you more than you are trying to hold Him (Colossians 1:17). With this new secure perspective, your prayers or Bible reading doesn’t have to be about striving to achieve more blessings or a spiritual breakthrough. Instead, it can be a healthy discovery of your wholeness of grace and fellowship of God with you (not apart). Learn to delight in this wholeness mindset, naturally leading to the new “spiritual disciplines” you want.
c) “Fight the good fight" by not giving up or giving in to any perspective contrary to what Christ has already fulfilled and given you … no matter what mental health challenge or condition, is part of your journey.
Our Thrive workbook (Spiritual section) goes much deeper into this renewed peace, love, grace, and hope-focused approach (simple and easing back into a safe and loving shepherd with a purpose for you).
Joe Padilla | Co-founder & CEO, The Grace Alliance
For more encouraging Biblical/Scriptural insights for depression, anxiety, and any other mental health challenges (even having a diagnosis), make sure to check out these encouraging articles:
God's comfort in our mental pain
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