Encouragement For All With Emotional Issues

Issues – May 2025 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Encouragement For All With Emotional Issues

Many people from all walks of life are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, significant mood changes and suicidal thoughts. However, we can be encouraged that there is help, hope and healing in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can trust Him at all times.

The Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6). Jeremiah, the one known as “the weeping prophet” because of the trials he experienced here, prayed, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jer. 32:17). While Jeremiah was “shut up in the court of the prison,” the LORD said to him, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (33:3).

By God’s grace, may we briefly consider the caring and compassionate Christ who rendered help, healing and hope to one with significant emotional and mental health issues, as revealed in Mark 5:1-20. The man was:

• Morally unclean – he had “an unclean spirit” (v.2 NKJV).
• Socially withdrawn and had left his home – he “had his dwelling among the tombs” (v.3).
• Physically strong and broke all restraints – “shackles broken” and no one could “tame him” (v.4).
• Emotionally in pain and suicidal – “crying out and cutting himself with stones” (v.5).
• Spiritually confrontational – “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (v.7).
• Suffering a personality disorder and under satanic forces – “My name is Legion” (v.9).

Jesus loved the man, had compassion on him, came to where he was, conquered satanic forces by the authority of His Word, and changed his life. Others then saw this man “sitting and clothed and in his right mind” (v.15). What a wonderful change when Jesus comes into a life! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

This man was willing to obey the words of Jesus to “go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you” (Mk. 5:19). “He departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled” (v.20).

The Lord Jesus is still able to change lives today. Acts 16:25-34 shows He is able to save even one who is suicidal. Paul and Silas were beaten by many stripes and thrown into prison. However, they were praying and singing in the midst of their pain and other prisoners. Our God is great in mercy, love and power. He allowed an earthquake to open the prison doors, to loose the prisoners’ chains, and to keep them from escaping. The keeper of the prison was filled with fear that the prisoners might have escaped and that he would face shame and even death. He was in despair to face the future, and he was ready to commit suicide. “And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself” (v.27).

Paul called out to him, stopping the jailer from his intention (vv.28-29). The jailer responded in verse 30 with the question many people are asking today: “What must I do to be saved?” The two servants of God told the keeper of the prison about faith in Jesus Christ, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house” (vv.30-32). The man and his family believed on the Lord Jesus, “and immediately he and all his family were baptized … and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household (vv.33-34).

Salvation is not a goal to be achieved but a gift to be received individually. Jesus is still rescuing the perishing and He cares for the dying, and it is apparent that no person is too hard for the Lord to change. There is no place too far for His love and grace to reach; and no problem is too difficult for Him to solve. Surrender yourself and your situation to Him today!

As Christians we are not exempt from similar issues. However, we are not alone, for our Lord, our Overcomer, is with us and able to turn our trials into triumphs. “In Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).

It is good to recognize our emotional health issues and to have a complete medical evaluation and Christian counseling as needed. We should keep our focus on the person of our Lord Jesus Christ and His power, rather than on the problem. It is important to take time to be in His presence and release all our cares and anxiety to Him in prayer, receive His peace and restructure our way of thinking.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Ps. 55:22). “God … gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:5-7). “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:6-8).

Our God is the God of hope, and He is able to deliver us. Trust Him and do not be afraid. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10). “With God nothing will be impossible” (Lk. 1:37). “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

By Emmanuel V. John