Using Jesus as a Coping Tool for Mental Health
Using Jesus as a Coping Tool for Mental Health
The concept of using Jesus as a coping tool for mental health is rooted in biblical teachings that portray Jesus as a comforter and healer. In the New Testament, Jesus is depicted as one who comforts and supports those afflicted, setting an example for believers to follow [1]. The biblical account of Jesus' interactions with those suffering from various afflictions provides a foundation for understanding his role in coping with mental health issues.
Jesus' ministry involved healing and comforting those who were afflicted, demonstrating his compassion and ability to alleviate suffering. For instance, in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to him for rest [3]. This invitation is seen as an expression of his willingness to provide comfort and solace to those struggling.
The early Christian tradition and patristic writings further emphasize Jesus' role in comforting and healing. Augustine, for example, views Jesus as the "Physician of our eternal health" who took on human weakness to alleviate human suffering [5]. This perspective underscores the idea that Jesus is not only a historical figure but a present source of comfort and healing for believers.
The biblical portrayal of Jesus as one who "took our infirmities" (Isaiah 53:4, quoted in Matthew 8:17) is also significant. This passage is interpreted as indicating that Jesus bore not only the sins but also the sufferings of humanity, providing a theological basis for understanding his role in coping with mental health [2].
In Christian tradition, Jesus is often seen as a model for empathy and compassion. Believers are encouraged to imitate Christ's example in showing sympathy towards the afflicted [1]. This imitation is not merely about replicating Jesus' actions but also about internalizing his character and extending his compassion to others.
The idea of Jesus as a source of comfort is closely tied to the concept of communion with God. Through faith in Jesus, believers are believed to experience a deepening of their relationship with God, which can provide comfort and strength in times of mental distress [1].
The various Christian traditions represented in the sources, including Nonconformist/Puritan, Methodist/Wesleyan, Baptist/Reformed, and Patristic perspectives, all contribute to a rich understanding of Jesus' role in coping with mental health. While the specific emphases may vary, there is a common thread of portraying Jesus as a source of comfort, healing, and strength.
The biblical and patristic sources provide a foundation for understanding Jesus' role in mental health, emphasizing his compassion, healing, and comfort. This understanding has been developed and nuanced throughout Christian history, offering a diverse and multifaceted perspective on using Jesus as a coping tool for mental health. The affirmation that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) underscores his central role in Christian faith and practice, including the realm of mental health [4].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 53:4: Surely . . . our griefs--literally, "But yet He hath taken (or borne) our sicknesses," that is, they who despised Him because of His human infirmities ought rather to have esteemed Him on account of them; for thereby "Himself took OUR infirmities" (bodily diseases). So Mat 8:17 quotes it. In the Hebrew for "borne," or took, there is probably the double notion, He took on Himself vicariously (so Isa 53:5-6, Isa 53:8, Isa 53:12), and so He took away; His perfect humanity whereby He was bodily afflicted for us, and in all our afflictions (Isa 63:9; Heb 4:”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 12:20: 12:20 Instead of increasing people’s spiritual burden, Jesus offers compassionate forgiveness and sustenance (see 11:28-30; 12:1-14).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. XVIII.--JESUS CHRIST, THE MEDIATOR, IS: THE ONLY WAY OF SAFETY. 24. And I sought a way of acquiring strength sufficient to enjoy Thee; but I found it not until I embraced that "Mediator between God Z and man, the man Christ Jesus,"' "who is over all, God blessed for ever,"4 calling unto me, i and saying, "I am the way, the truth, and the !life,"5 and mingling that food which I was unable to receive with our flesh. For "the Word was made flesh," s that Thy wisdom, by which Thou createdst all things, might provide milk for our infancy. For I ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — ON THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL, MATT. XX. 30, ABOUT THE TWO BLIND MEN SITTING BY THE WAY SIDE, AND CRYING OUT, "LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US, THOU SON OF DAVID." (part 1): 1. YE know, Holy Brethren, full well as we do, that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the Physician of our eternal health; and that to this end He took the weakness of our nature, that our weakness might not last for ever. For He assumed a mortal body, wherein to kill death. And, "though He was crucified through weakness," as the Apostle saith, "yet He liveth by the power of God."(”