Mental and emotional health

God wants us to have sound minds
2 Timothy 1:7 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Pray for God's Guidance
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Instead of worrying about everything, pray about everything
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Think on God's thoughts revealed in His Word
Isaiah 55:7-8 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

John 8:31b-32 “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Psalm 107:20 He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Don't condemn yourself or anyone else
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Revelation 12:10-11 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
John 8:10b-11 ...He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”  She said, “No one, Lord.”  And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Confess your faults and pray for one another
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much

Accept God's forgiveness for yourself and others
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Matthew 9:2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Consider how Jesus was treated
Hebrews 12:2-4 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

By His Stripes We Are Healed
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

God's word heals
Psalm 107:20
He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

God heals the broken heart
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Music and Emotional Health
1 Samuel 16:23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.

Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement. As we thus open the heart to the sunlight of the Saviour’s presence, we shall have health and His blessing. [Ministry of Healing, p. 254]

A Merry Heart and Wholesome Tongue (Healthy Talk)
Proverbs 17 :22
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Also see Ministry of Healing, Chapter 18 "Mind Cure"

Other helpful posts
Mental Health Secrets
7 Psychological Habits To Avoid
Cognitive Distortions to Avoid

Helpful music playlists on Youtube
For The broken heart
Jesus Understands
Peace in the Storm
Be not afraid
Hymns for troubled minds
Assurance in uncertainty
Courage, Hope, and Cheer
Faith and Courage
Peace, Joy, and Comfort
Peace and Rest
Songs of faith (bluegrass)
Songs for the trials of life (bluegrass)
Songs for the storms of life (bluegrass)
Courage and Comfort (bluegrass)
Christian counsel in song (bluegrass)

How to be drawn to Jesus

Isaiah 45:22
Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

God draws us to Jesus
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

People are drawn to Jesus when He's lifted up
John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself

God draws us with His love
Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Hosea 11:4 I drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.

God's love seen in chastening
Hebrews 12:5-6 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:  “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

Look to Jesus lest you be discouraged
Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Beholding Him, we are transformed
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Why we lose sight of Jesus

Intellectual pride
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Looking at your circumstances (or yourself)
Matthew 14:28-32 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Getting too busy to spend time with Jesus
Luke 10:38-42
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Looking at other people
John 21:20-22 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

Spiritual Thirst

Jeremiah 2:13
For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.

John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

John 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

Isaiah 55:1 Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Psalm 42:1-2 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

Psalms 63:1 O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Psalm 81:10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

Isaiah 44:2-4 Thus says the Lord who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you: ‘Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; They will spring up among the grass Like willows by the watercourses.’

Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.

Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Proverbs 25:25 As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country.

Proverbs 18:4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.

Proverbs 11:25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

Verses relating to spiritual hunger:
John 4:34
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."
Deuteronomy 8:3b ...man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

A quote relating to spiritual hunger
In the word of God is spread before you the richest banquet. This is the Lord's table, abundantly provided, whereof you may eat and be satisfied. RH October 18, 1898

Also see Desiring God

Relevant music playlist on Youtube
Living Water

Think On These Things

Evaluate before you ruminate

Use the Philippians 4:8 Mental Filter:

Is it true? Does it align with gospel truth?

Is it honorable or respectable?

Is it just or right?

Is it pure or innocent?

Is it lovely, agreeable or acceptable?

Is it of good report?

Is it of virtue or excellence?

Is it commendable or worthy of praise?

Why evaluate of our thoughts?
Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks in his heart, so is he....

"If the thoughts are wrong, the feelings will be wrong; and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character." In Heavenly Places, p. 164

"As a man 'thinketh in his heart, so is he' [Proverbs 23:7]. Many thoughts make up the unwritten history of a single day; and these thoughts have much to do with the formation of character. Our thoughts are to be strictly guarded; for one impure thought makes a deep impression on the soul. An evil thought leaves an evil impress on the mind. If the thoughts are pure and holy, the man is better for having cherished them."  Messages to Young People, p. 144

"We need a constant sense of the ennobling power of pure thoughts and the damaging influence of evil thoughts. Let us place our thoughts upon holy things. Let them be pure and true, for the only security for any soul is right thinking." In Heavenly Places, p. 164

Dismiss wrong thoughts and replace them with God's Word:
Martin Luther once said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair”. When a thought comes and it doesn't pass through the filter found in Philippians 4:8, dismiss it and replace it with God's word. Every thought is to be brought captive to the obedience of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).

"Keep your Bible with you. As you have opportunity, read it; fix the texts in your memory. Even while you are walking the streets you may read a passage and meditate upon it, thus fixing it in the mind." Steps to Christ pg 90

To be more like Jesus and bear the Spirit's fruit, we must be constantly thinking on God's word and we shouldn't let our minds wander in the "counsel" of ungodly. (see Psalm 1:1-3) We should avoid watching or listening to ungodly media. We should not set any wicked thing before our eyes (Psalm 101:3).

Has anyone ever said or done something that left you with troublesome thoughts that you couldn't seem to stop worrying about? To be set free from that, you must put those thoughts through the filter of God's Word (John 8:31-32). There is liberty found in beholding Jesus, upon Whom was laid the iniquity of us all (Hebrews 12:1-4, Isaiah 53:6). When you know what God has said, done, and wants to do in your life, then nothing else will matter as much (Romans 8:28, Romans 8:32).

If we don't keep Jesus in mind as our personal Savior and Lord of our lives, we can't even see ourselves or others in the right way. When we loose sight of Jesus, we become worried and fearful because we'll forget that we are His and that He will take care of us (Isaiah 43:1-4). Are you often tempted to worry? In the second part of this study we will look at what the bible says about temptation and how to have victory over sin.

Temptation isn't sin until you consent to it
James 1:12-15 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

While it is true that the devil tries to tempt us from without, this verse tells us we are also tempted from within. Sin itself has the following stages: conception, birth, growth, and death. Temptation isn't sin and cannot "conceive" as sin unless you give it consent.

This verse also tells us that the sin doesn't just "birth" into actions, "conception" must happen first. The great controversy between Christ and Satan in our minds lies in the gap between temptation and the conception of sin.

"By faith and prayer all may meet the requirements of the gospel. No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must be first gained; the soul must purpose the sinful act, before passion can dominate over reason, or iniquity triumph over conscience." Messages To Young People, 67.

Not consenting to sin isn't enough, we must give God our consent
While temptation isn't sin until you consent, we don't even have the power not to. We will find ourselves doing (or thinking) wrong even if we don't want to (Romans 7:19). Only God can work in you "both to will and to do for His good pleasure" Philippians 2:13.

"You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him." Steps to Christ, p. 47

You can read and listen to a lot of theory and try to practice it yourself, but that won't help you. Nothing we do can replace the work God will do in us if we consent.

How we give God our consent: Through Prayer and His Word
We give God consent when we pray to Him, saying something like, "Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. Make me willing to be willing".

We constantly need to pray for God's Spirit to bring His word to memory, but you won't remember anything you haven't studied (John 14:26).We need to be filling our minds with God's Word so that when temptation comes, we will be ready to combat it with an "it is written" before sin is conceived.

Temptations often appear irresistible because, through neglect of prayer and the study of the Bible, the tempted one cannot readily remember God’s promises and meet Satan with the Scripture weapons. But angels are round about those who are willing to be taught in divine things; and in the time of great necessity, they will bring to their remembrance the very truths which are needed. Thus “when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.” [Great Controversy, p. 600]

Relevant song: Think On These Things

Psalm Soliloquies

Psalm 42:11, 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 16:2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”

Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.

Psalm 116:7 Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

Psalm 103:1-4 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies

Psalm 104:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul!  O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty

Psalm 146:1-2 Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Prayer and Spiritual Warfare

Just like many characters in the bible, I also know what it's like to feel depressed even to the point of giving up on life. The solution to this is found in prayer:

Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Steps to Christ, p. 94

Prayer is literally a lifeline, or rather, it is The Lifeline!

Prayer is the life of the soul. The prayer of faith is the weapon by which we may successfully resist every assault of the enemy. Signs of the Times August 24, 1904

Prayer and God's word are so essential in spiritual warfare

Beware how you neglect secret prayer and a study of God’s word. These are your weapons against him who is striving to hinder your progress heavenward. [Messages to Young People, page 96]

The Word must be our weapon of warfare. Miracles can be wrought through the Word; for it is profitable for all things. Letter 75, 1896

Keep the mind filled with the precious promises found in the Bible, and when Satan comes in like a flood to overwhelm you, meet him with the weapon which the Word of God has provided, “It is written.” This will break his power and give you the victory (Historical Sketches, 129, 130).

Song  is also another powerful weapon

Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement. As we thus open the heart to the sunlight of the Saviour’s presence, we shall have health and His blessing. [Ministry of Healing, p. 254]

Song can be an especially powerful spiritual weapon when the words are addressed to God as a prayer and contain promises from His word!

Also see, God's promises for the suicidal

God is able

"And God is ABLE to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Cor. 9:8)

"Now to Him who is ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Eph. 3:20-21)

"For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is ABLE to aid those who are tempted." (Heb. 2:18)

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is ABLE to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2 Tim. 1:12)

"Now to Him who is ABLE to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began." (Rom. 16:25)

"Now unto him that is ABLE to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 24-25)

"Therefore He is also ABLE to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:25)