217 How to be Mentally Healthy

Episode Summary:  Statistics from Lifeway Research reveal that 49% of pastors admit they rarely or never speak to their congregation about mental illness. And 35% of Americans say mental illness could be overcome with Bible study and prayer alone, revealing perhaps a stigma attached to therapy, meditation, and/or medical treatment needed for the one in five Americans who suffer from mental illness. Join me with Stacey McDonald as we talk about how to be mentally healthy. My guest’s lived experience shaped her to empower others to have open and honest conversations regarding mental health and hope for the 65% of churchgoing family members who desire for their church to talk openly about mental health conditions. Quotables from the episode: Having a father with schizophrenia, as well as my own personal battle with depression, mental health awareness is more than my lived experience—it is my call and passion. Mental health is how effectively you are able to live in your own skin emotionally, psychologically, and socially…it is the one driving force in your life that affects every critical area. When something goes wrong with the body, we do not normally question our salvation. Unfortunately, when something goes wrong with the mind, we often question our faith! Mental health and the gospel have never been mutually exclusive. “Gospel” simply means good news! There is good news among the sleepless nights, intrusive thoughts, broken relationships, and broken hearts. Mental health is your ability to understand and process information and experiences, while emotional health is your ability to manage and express feelings related to those experiences and information. Younger generations have focused exclusively on how they feel rather than on critical information or objective faith. God wants us to focus on His goodness in our lives, show gratitude even in the midst of our struggles, and trust Him that He cares for us unconditionally. There is hope and help to be found in the timeless and precious Word of God. Our Bible never leaves us in the dark concerning good news for our souls, our bodies, and our mental health. God loves us without restraint or conditions.  God loves us well. He loves us when we are sick. And he does not abandon us based on the category, source, condition, or consequences of our sickness. Quite the contrary, God is near to the brokenhearted.  It is okay not to be okay, but it’s not okay to ignore the tools and strategies that nourish mental health.  If you do not build your mental health, the big bad wolf of trouble, sickness, change, loss, heartache, and betrayal will blow and your whole house may come crashing down. These winds will blow regardless of your religious affiliation, skin color, socio-economic status, and pedigree, but they do not have to destroy you.  From sleepless nights to anxiety filled days, from the pain of hurt to the shame of mistakes, the heart must heal. The mind must find peace. God reveals the key to happiness: He inspires His people to be grateful! Because you are cut emotionally does not mean you have to settle for an emotional infection. Prevention is better than searching for a cure. Scripture References: Proverbs 6:4 Don’t put it off; do it now! Proverbs 14:30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body  Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin Recommended Resources:  The Gospel of Mental Health: From Mental Hell to Mental Wellness by Stacey McDonald Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Trusting God Through Cancer 1 Trusting God Through Cancer 2 Revive & Thrive Women's Conference Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.) Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Stacey McDonald: Website / Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn / YouTube / Twitter For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Stacey McDonald is an evangelist, practicing school psychologist, author, public speaker, and former lead pastor of ten years. She has trained ministers for leadership, equipping them for ministerial success in and out of the pulpit and provided biblical counseling to families, couples, and youth resulting in healthy minds and healthy homes. She provides mental health workshops and seminars for businesses, schools and places of worship and hosts weekly live streamed mental health empowerment sessions on leading social media platforms.   The infinite potential born from pain is nothing short of miraculous, and to be a midwife to such encouraged her writing of The Gospel of Mental Health: From Mental Hell to Mental Wellness with an accompanying journal and workbook. You can learn more about Stacey at www.TheGospelOfMentalHealth.org.  Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.