Faith is the most important thing in your life. Just like any other area of life, our walk with Christ can benefit from intentional effort, reflection, and support.

Mental health is a topic that some people are fiercely passionate about, while others may hesitate to take it seriously. But anyone who has struggled with anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, low self-worth, or overwhelming fear knows how deeply our inner world affects our daily life and spiritual journey. True peace and joy become difficult when your mind and heart are weighed down despite your commitment to church, Bible reading, fellowship, etc.

We regularly invest in our physical health, our spiritual growth, and even our social lives—often without waiting for a crisis. Yet mental health is often left unattended until we feel completely overwhelmed. Why is this? God has given us minds and bodies that require care and discipline.

Too often, we overlook the opportunity to train our thoughts to become more focused, grateful, compassionate, and obedient. Scripture is clear about the importance of where our minds dwell. In Philippians 4:8, Paul writes:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Modern research supports this biblical truth. Studies show that a wandering mind tends to gravitate toward negativity—ruminating on past regrets or fearing the future. Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert puts it this way:

“The ability to think about what is not happening is a cognitive achievement that comes at an emotional cost. A wandering mind is an unhappy mind.”

Dr. Laurie Santos, in Yale’s acclaimed Science of Well-Being course, lists “mind control”—the ability to choose what you focus on—as one of the top five practices for lasting happiness. For believers, this is not just about emotional well-being; it’s about spiritual obedience. Choosing to set your mind on what is godly and good is an act of faithfulness.

In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us where not and where to to put our minds as a way of both controlling anxiety and being faithful to Him:

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31–33)

This doesn’t just happen on its own, unfortunately. We have to train our whole person in this direction—through understanding our story, grieving unhealthy things we are holding onto, respecting our limitations, and intentionally moving toward what’s most important. This is a big task that is hard to do alone, and there are many dangerous voices out there who will only help you move toward some version of self-improvement that aims for much less than what Jesus calls us to.

Many of us accept the value of physical training—repetition, resistance, and consistency to build strength. The same is true for our minds. Through Christian counseling, you can get help practicing taking every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), replacing patterns of worry, shame, sin, and idolatry with truth, hope, and joy in Christ.

In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis offers encouragement to those wrestling with mental or emotional suffering:

“But some by heroism overcome even chronic mental pain. They often produce brilliant work and strengthen, harden, and sharpen their characters till they become like tempered steel.”

Your faith can grow stronger—not in spite of struggle, but through it. God can use your work on mental health with a Christian therapist to shape you into someone more faithful, more loving, more grounded in truth.

Don’t wait for a crisis to address what’s happening in your heart and mind. Your mental health matters—not just for your own well-being but for your family, your relationships, and your walk with the Lord.

If you’re seeking Christian counseling in Madison, MS, you are not alone—and you are not without hope. Intentional, faith-aligned counseling can help you live with greater peace, obedience, and purpose.

Reach out today to schedule an appointment. I look forward to talking with you.

Call or text: 601-790-0250
Email: tslay@chhms.org