One thing is certain: King Saul suffered from mental problems for a long time, whatever their cause. David had his moral weaknesses, but mental illness doesn't seem to have been a problem for him (at least not until much later in his life). However, he faked mental illness to get out of a tight spot. But he was no stranger to the dark night of the soul.
All the achievements and flattery in the world could not isolate it from episodes of depression. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah achieved one of the most decisive victories in the Old Testament. He challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest. He would prepare an altar; they would prepare another.
The God (or god) who sends fire to receive his offering would be declared the God of Israel. The prophets of Baal were incapable of arousing a single spark in their god. The God of Elijah, on the other hand, sent a fire that consumed everything in its path, leaving no doubt about who deserved the worship of Israel. Naomi had her two children, leaving no one to support her. She was trapped in a foreign country with no clear idea of how she was going to survive.
The story of Naomi is found in the book of Ruth. At the center of the story is the bond between Naomi and Ruth, her daughter-in-law, who is also a widow. But she said to them: “Don't call me Naomi; call me Mara, because the Almighty has treated me with great bitterness. I came out full, and the Lord has returned me to the empty house.
Why do you call me Naomi, if the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?”Jonah was one of the first prophets. Although its history in the Bible is short (only 48 verses), it is one of the most influential books in all of Scripture. God told Jonah that he needed to go to Nineveh and preach about repenting and returning to God. Jonah was against the idea of showing grace to the people of Nineveh.
At first, he decided to do it his way, refusing to listen to God. Jonah later repented of his sin of disobedience. God told him again to go to Nineveh, preach repentance and the power to return to God. This time, he followed God's direction and the people of Nineveh changed their lives. Between 10 and 15 percent of teens have problems with symptoms of depression, while one in five adults has a major mental illness. Thomas Nelson Bibles announces the next edition of NET Study Bible with David Dockery as general editor. But Naomi's role in the book of Ruth sheds light on the type of mental anguish that occurs when you lose a loved one and face extreme bitterness.
Elijah's depression, along with many of the other biblical characters mentioned above, lets us know that being committed to God does not exempt us from depression. In fact, some of the Bible stories that you probably already know include aspects of mental health that you may have overlooked. The Bible is full of examples of people who showed symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other types of mental illness. Although the Bible does not use the word “depression” except in certain translations and verses, it is often referred to with other similar words, such as “depressed”, “heartbroken”, “worried”, “miserable”, “desperate” and “in mourning”, among others.
Consult and explore 4 biblical stories that can give us a new or expanded perspective on the world of mental health and God's sovereignty. According to the World Health Organization, major depression affects more than 16 million American adults each year and more than 264 million people worldwide. With more than 2 million copies sold, it's no secret that the NKJV Study Bible is a reliable guide for your journey to the Word of God. The Bible may not say much directly about mental illness, but there are many Bible verses that provide comfort to those struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, and more.
