Have you struggled with Mental Health issues? “Elephants in the Room” is an annual sermon series where we face tough topics and sensitive subjects head on. In this message, Pastor Eric Robertson applies grace and truth to the topic of mental health. 

Mental Health is a topic within the church community that is either not talked about at all, or talked about incorrectly. There is a lot of shame and a lot of stigma around mental health issues, especially in church. 
 
1 in 5 US Adults will experience a mental illness this year.
 
Myths about Mental Health
Myth #1: Mental Health issues are a result of secret sin.
Saul: 1 Samuel 16:14
Nebuchadnezzar: Daniel 4:32 
Jesus took the weight of sin and the penalty for sin for us. Galatians 3:13

Myth #2: The key to fixing mental health issues is to pray and read your bible more. 
We have to be careful not to turn a beneficial spiritual practice into legalism. 

Myth #3: Taking medication is a lack of faith
You can take medication and pray for God to heal you.
When neurotransmitter levels are out of whack, we can get out of whack.

2. Life Trauma: Stress, being overworked, acute trauma and lack of self-care can contribute to mental health issues.
1 Kings 19:4-5
 
3. Spiritual Oppression:  Demonic oppression is a real cause of mental discomfort and mental illness. When we fail to monitor our spiritual intake, we can open doors to fear and anxiety. 
Mark 5: 1-7
 
How can you address your mental health?
1. Find Balance: Body, Soul, and Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5: 23 “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”

2. Be open with your struggles.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
 
3. Fight for hope. 
Romans 5:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Hope is seeing the future that God sees so that you have the strength to keep fighting.
 
How are you handling your mental health?