Healing the Mind: A Christian Perspective on Mental Health, Emotions, and Imagination

When we struggle with mental health challenges, it can become easy to believe certain lies. For example, someone experiencing delusions may become afraid of their thoughts and start believing that thoughts are generally bad. A person who sees visions or hears voices may learn to fear or even hate their imagination. Likewise, someone with an affective disorder may begin to dislike emotions and believe that having feelings is a weakness or a curse.

But the truth is that our mind, emotions, body, imagination, and even our intuition can be used for both good and bad.

"A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed."
- Proverbs 15:13

This verse reminds us that while our fallen nature means that our heart is not always functioning the way it should, it is never solely negative.

On the other hand, because of our fallen nature, our heart is not always functioning positively either. This is an important lesson, because people with psychosis may become so convinced by their thoughts that they trust everything they think. This over-reliance on the intellect can become a big problem. Similarly, a person in a manic state may be unaware that their elevated mood could be harming others, just as a person in depression may not question their feelings of hopelessness but accept them as reality.

This shows the danger of thinking in extremes. It’s vital to discern:

• When are our emotions helpful or unhelpful?

• Are our thoughts true or are they distorted?

• Is our imagination being used in a wholesome way or not?

For these questions, we need discernment, which is a part of our sanctification process. And in this ongoing process of becoming more like Christ, it is vital to pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance.

"Lord, show me what is bad, and why it is bad."
"Show me what is good, and why it is good."
"Help me walk in what is good and avoid what is bad."

By praying in this way, we make God the ultimate judge of our reality, morality, and wholeness. This is a role He was always meant to fulfil — not us.

Let this be a gentle reminder: your thoughts, emotions, and imagination are not enemies. They are parts of you that God wants to heal, renew, and use for His glory.

Scriptures for Further Reflection:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
- Romans 12:1–2

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Philippians 4:7

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened…”
- Ephesians 1:17–18