The Bible Is Good For Your  Mental Health
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What is a Mental Illness?
Mental illness is defined as “collectively all diagnosable mental disorders” or “health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior (or some combination thereof) associated with distress and/or impaired functioning.”2 Depression is the most common type of mental illness, affecting more than 26% of the U.S. adult population.3 It has been estimated that by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability throughout the world, trailing only ischemic heart disease.
 http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/basics.htm
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”1 It is estimated that only about 17% of U.S adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health.2 There is emerging evidence that positive mental health is associated with improved health outcomes.
 
http://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/basics.htm
Click Here To Find Out More About Mental illness/Health And How To Get  Help
Both Religion and Spirituality Are Good For Your Mental Health
What The Research Says
Religion and Spirituality What Is It?
Religiousness can be defined as participation in an institutionalized doctrine/theological system or set of beliefs and practices while spirituality is framed as an individual pursuit of meaning outside the world of immediate experience or understanding one’s self as part of a larger spiritual force. Religion can also be included as an expression of spirituality (Hodge, 2004).
 
Positive Relationship
 A meta analysis using 34 studies conducted over the last 12 years explored the relationship between religion and everyday psychological functioning. In this study an overall relationship was examined by standardizing all correlations and calculating the mean correlation across all studies (Hackney & Sanders, 2003). Results of these 34 studies pointed to a significant positive relationship between religion and mental health.
 
Diminished Psychiatric Symptoms
“Spirituality and religiousness seem to be positively associated with psychological well being and diminished psychiatric symptoms in people with serious mental illness.” In this study it was found that spirituality did not have a more beneficial impact then religiousness.(Corrigan, McCorkle, Schell & Kidder, 2003). For people who adhere to these beliefs Religion/Spirituality can provide consistency and act as a distraction from internal stress.
 
Generally Positive Association
Research has consistently identified a generally positive association between spirituality(religion is included as an expression of spirituality) and various dimensions of mental health to include “increased adaptation to bereavement, self esteem, social support, life satisfaction and happiness.
 
Religion/spirituality for those who adhere to these practices can provide hope and optimism about the future and it can help to foster a sense of structure and organization. Religion/spirituality can also provide a source of strength and alleviate feelings of loneliness by being with other  people. Religion/Spirituality can provide an outlet for fellowship/social support and provide a sense of community.

 

Rituals, inherent in essentially every spiritual tradition, have been widely associated with positive outcomes and can serve to ease anxiety and dread, alleviate isolation, promote a sense of security, and establish a sense of being loved and appreciated (Hodge, 2001).
 
Sources
1. Cremins, J. (2002). The rift between religion and psychotherapy: Can it be healed? Journal of Pastoral Counseling, 37(10).2. Corrigan, P., McCorkle, B., Schell, B., &  Kidder, B.A (2003). Religion and spirituality in the lives of people with serious mental illness. Community Mental Health Journal, 39(6).3. Fallot, R. (1998). The place of spirituality and religion in mental health services. New Directions for Mental Health Services, winter 1998, Vol 80.4. Hathaway, W.L. (2003). Clinically significant religious impairment. Mental Health Religion & Culture, 6(2), 113-130.
 
When Can Religion and or Spirituality Be Bad For Your  Mental Health
 
Belief in a harsh, restrictive or condemning deity is an obstacle to mental health (Cremmins, 2002, p. 21).
 
Feeling abandoned by God, feeling sinful, afraid to express anger or ask questions can negatively impact mental health if not resolved.
 
Religion/Spirituality that decreases feelings of self-esteem.
 
Religion/Spirituality that places all of the responsibility for change or actions on a belief system.
 
Religion/Spirituality that prevents one from acknowledging and acting on reality.
 
Belief that admitting to having an illness or having to take medications makes one less of a believer in his/her faith.
 
Belief that expressing a negative emotion equals a lack of spiritual/religious commitment.
 
Faith in a religious/spiritual belief that does not lead to positive action.
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What is a Faith Based Recovery
 

Recovery is a process that can be facilitated by many factors to include: a belief in your ability to get better, support systems, medications, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

  1. A faith-based recovery mind set is freeing your self from the prison of your limitations, and realizing that God has indeed created you for a purpose. It is coming to the knowledge that the grace of God is available for you, and that He is concerned about everything that concerns you.
  2. A person with a faith-based recovery mindset understands that while the plan God has for their life may not be the plan that they envisioned, they remain determined to rest and to trust in His sovereign plan.
  3. A faith-based recovery mindset is choosing to take responsibility for your treatment, and not being afraid to seek help when needed. It is coming to the understanding that in order to live a healthy life, you may have to take medications, but that having to take medications does not decrease or imply that you lack faith in God.
  4. A faith based recovery mindset does not just accept the belief that things will always be the way that they are now, or that things will never get better.
  5. A faith based recovery mindset chooses to hope, to trust Jesus Christ, and to do the things that are necessary to facilitate recovery and life.
  6.  A person with a faith-based recovery mindset understands, that even if they don’t get a miracle when they want it, God is still in control of their steps.
  7.  A person with a faith-based recovery mindset is not just sitting down, idly waiting for a miracle. Instead, they are busy performing their Fathers business.  
  8.  A person with a faith-based recovery mindset does not wait until they are free of symptoms before they start to live their life. Instead, they are living their life to the fullest …..now.

 

 

 

 

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Proverbs 23:7

For As He Thinketh In His Heart, So Is He

 

Our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are connected. Our behavior is controlled by the words that we have inside of us, whether they are words of life or words of death. So think about who is giving you those thoughts you are having. The spiritual battle we all face is won or lost by the words we allow to rule in our thoughts. Our thoughts will either draw us closer to the Lord Jesus Christ or further away.

 

We think an average of seven thoughts a second. Based on those figures, in a years’ time, we would have thought about 219,971,200 thoughts. If you multiply that figure by 70 (70 years) you get fifteen billion, forty million, twelve thousand and eight hundred thoughts. Who is in control of those thoughts? God or the Devil? Are the thoughts in your mind bringing you victory or defeat?

 

The mind is the control tower, it sends orders to the rest of your members and causes them to submit. That is why the devil puts up such a fight for control of your mind. You see, once his thoughts are in your mind he is in control and God is out of control. The mind is the foundation of your success and victory. So you have to know how to stay God conscience and to fortify it. So don’t just put any kind of thought in your mind. Remember, every thought you think affects you on an eternal basis. So fleece your thoughts with The Word of God. Guard your thoughts at all times.

Don’t let anything take the place of the Lord in your mind.

 

2 Corinthians 10: 4-5

For The Weapons Of Our Warfare Are Not Carnal, But Mighty Through God To The Pulling Down Of Strong Holds;) Casting Down Imaginations, And Every High Thing That Exalteth Itself Against The Knowledge Of God, And Bringing Into Captivity Every Thought To The Obedience Of Christ

 

Your mind has been called full time into the Gospel of Jesus Christ you are not to be part time in the gospel. Your quality of thinking should coincide with God’s character and His character never wavers. In short, your thinking should be based on The Word of God at all times. You should acknowledge God in all aspects of your life to include your thoughts.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust In The Lord With All Thine Heart; And Lean Not Unto Thine Own Understanding.  In All Thy Ways Acknowledge Him, And He Shall Direct Thy Paths

 

When you acknowledge Him in all your ways you bless Him, you are saying He is qualified in everything. The worse crime a child of God can commit is not to use God’s Word by faith in their minds.

 

St John 10:10

I Am The Door: By Me If Any Man Enter In, He Shall Be Saved, And Shall Go In And Out, And Find Pasture. The Thief Cometh Not, But For To Steal, And To Kill, And To Destroy: I Am Come That They Might Have Life, And That They Might Have It More Abundantly

 

   

THE MIND IS WHERE THE POWER IS

 

Your mind can handle any problem that comes up. Why? Because you have the mind of Christ. The mind of a saint carries The Word of God. And when The Word of God is rightly divided it will destroy the works of the devil.  When saints are operating in the Word of God the world cannot touch the saints because they have the mind of the Creator. Unfortunately many people of God dilute their potential.

 

How? By walking in the ways of the ungodly and yielding to ungodly ideas that come to your mind. Listen, evil thoughts go through everyone’s mind but you must learn to pray them away. Do not meditate on them. Your mind in subjection to God can deliver you from yourself. So use the Word of God, meditate and believe what it says.

 

Listen, you’re either believing God and doubting the devil, or doubting God and believing a lie there is no in between. When you try to focus on what God has said and on words of unbelief at the same time, you become unstable. You become up and down in your emotions and start to struggle in your faith. But God never created us to be up and down or struggling in our faith.

James 1:6-8

But Let Him Ask In Faith, Nothing Wavering. For He That Wavereth Is Like A Wave Of The Sea Driven With The Wind And Tossed. For Let Not That Man Think That He Shall Receive Any Thing Of The Lord.  A Double Minded Man Is Unstable In All His Ways.

 

Unfortunately, if you use your time meditating on struggling words (any word that is contrary to The Word of God), you will have a struggling life. So meditate on God’s word and have a victorious life instead! Seek God and His Word at all times.

 

Psalms 1:2

But His Delight Is In The Law Of The Lord; And In His Law Doth He Meditate Day And Night

 

Seek God to know how He feels about Himself. Read and meditate on God’s Word daily. The scriptures are designed to lead you and guide you into all truth. They can’t however do that if you don’t use them. The health and strength of your mind depends on The Word of God in you.  So rehearse them over and over again in your thoughts.  The more you meditate on The Word of God the more The Word of God will grow in your mind until you are filled with the mind of Christ. So you have to stay God’s conscience and fortify your mind with The Word of God.      

Your behavior consists of the words that you have inside of you, whether they are words of life or words of death. Whatever word you are using right now is controlling you. And you will be rewarded by the way you choose to think. So ask yourself what have you been putting into your mind to train it? Is it making you more like Jesus or more like the devil in your thought pattern?

  

Joshua 1:8

 This Book Of The Law Shall Not Depart Out Of Thy Mouth; But Thou Shalt Meditate Therein Day And Night, That Thou Mayest Observe To Do According To All That Is Written Therein: For Then Thou Shalt Make Thy Way Prosperous, And Then Thou Shalt Have Good Success.

 

 

MEDITATE

 Luke 21:33

 Heaven And Earth Shall Pass Away: But My Words Shall Not Pass Away

 

There is no shadow or variance in God’s Word. If He spoke it, He will bring it to pass. You can count on Him! So refuse to use any other words except The Word of God. Become a word warrior. Remember when Jesus was in the wilderness after He had fasted 40 days? He told the devil what was written. Well, we will have to do the same thing. Using the Word of God we will have to go to war against every thought that is contrary to the plan of God. That is why it is important to study and mediate so that we will be able to speak The Word to our trials.

 

Ephesians 6:10-17

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 

God has given us the power to think the devil out of our existence but we must stay within the boundaries of The Word of God. The spiritual battle we all face is won or lost by the words we allow to rule in our minds. With our words we can think ourselves into defeat or perpetual deliverance like Jesus Christ.  It is a battle but don’t tell yourself anything God didn’t tell you through His word.

 

2 Timothy 2:15

Study To Shew Thyself Approved Unto God, A Workman That Needeth Not To Be Ashamed, Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth.

 
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