By Pastor David Santiago
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18
Mental health is not a side issue—it’s a soul issue. And it’s one of the Bible speaks to with clarity, compassion, and hope.
Across our campuses, I’ve witnessed the silent weight many carry. Anxiety. Depression. Trauma. Burnout. These aren’t signs of weak faith; they’re signs of deep humanity. And Scripture doesn’t shame them. It names them. It meets them. It heals them.
The Bible Doesn’t Hide Pain
Psalm 34:18 reminds us: God is near to the brokenhearted. That nearness is not metaphor—it’s incarnational. David cried out in despair. Elijah collapsed in exhaustion. Job sat in ashes. Even Jesus groaned under sorrow. The Bible gives voice to mental anguish and shows us a God who does not turn away.
What Faith Offers the Hurting
- A God who sees. Psalm 34:18 is a promise of divine proximity.
- A Savior who suffers with us. Jesus knows emotional agony firsthand.
- A community called to carry burdens. Galatians 6:2 calls us to bear one another’s loads.
- A hope that doesn’t deny pain—but outlasts it. Resurrection is our anchor.
Gospel-Shaped Steps Toward Healing
- Speak up. Talk to someone: a pastor, counselor, or trusted friend.
- Seek help. Therapy and medication can be gifts from God.
- Stay connected. Isolation deepens pain; community brings light.
- Build rhythms of rest. Sabbath, sleep, prayer, and movement matter.
- Use spiritual tools wisely. Scripture and prayer sustain hope, but they’re not substitutes for clinical care.
How the Church Must Respond
- Remove stigma. Mental illness is not a sin.
- Train leaders. Equip teams to listen well and guide wisely.
- Create care pathways. From prayer to professional help, we need clear steps.
- Hold space for lament. Worship must include room for sorrow and healing.
A Word to the Weary
If you’re struggling, you are not alone. You are not broken beyond repair. You are seen by God, by this church, and by me. Psalm 34:18 is not just a verse; it’s a lifeline. Let’s walk together toward healing, with honesty, hope, and help.
A Prayer for the Hurting
Lord,
You are close to the brokenhearted. Today, draw near to every soul who feels crushed, anxious, or unseen. Speak peace to minds in turmoil. Bring rest to bodies worn down. Let your presence be felt in the silence, the tears, and the questions.
Raise up your church to be a place of refuge, not judgment. Teach us to listen well, love deeply, and walk patiently with those who suffer.
And for every reader today, may they know they are not alone. You see them. You hear them. You hold them.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Selah.