What's God got to do with it?: Mental Health - 12 October 2025

In this sermon titled What’s God Got to Do with My Mental Health?, Peter Lenehan addresses the complex relationship between faith and mental well-being, drawing from Job 6:14–27 and 2 Corinthians 1:1–11. Acknowledging Australia’s growing mental health crisis, Peter emphasises that while the Bible doesn’t use modern psychological terms, it speaks deeply to human experiences of despair, fear, and anguish. He highlights the church’s call to a “ministry of listening” — to comfort others as God has comforted us (2 Corinthians 1:3–4) — and challenges believers to offer empathy before advice. Peter also encourages those struggling to seek professional help, share their burdens within trusted community, and hold on to the unchanging hope of the gospel. Above all, he reminds us that God’s presence and compassion meet us even in the darkest valleys, inviting us to trust Him in the midst of suffering.   5 Questions to Think About: How do Job’s experiences in Job 6 reflect the importance of compassion and understanding in caring for those who are suffering? What does 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 teach about God’s comfort and our responsibility to comfort others? How can you practice a “ministry of listening” within your church, small group, or friendships? In what ways might your faith help you persevere through times of emotional or mental struggle? What practical steps can you take to care for your mental health — spiritually, relationally, and professionally — while trusting God’s provision?   3 Takeaways from the Message: God is the source of all comfort — He meets us in our pain and equips us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). Listening is a powerful act of love — Christians are called to listen with empathy, not judgment, following Jesus’ example of compassion (James 1:19). Trust God in the darkness — Even in seasons of fear or despair, the gospel remains our unshakable hope and foundation (Psalm 56:3).