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Speaker 1: Life Audio.

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Speaker 2: Welcome to the Crossbock devotional. We're glad to have you listeneing with us. Today's topic is how you can be honest with God about your mental health and you can rely on God to help you with it. We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from our sponsors. Be Honest with God about your mental health written and read by Whitney Hoppler. Answer me quickly, Lord, my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me, or I will be like those who.

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Speaker 1: Go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love. For I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go. For to you, I entrust my life Psalm one forty three seven through eight and IV. At George Mason University's Center for the Advancement of well Being, I work on university wide well being initiatives, including programs designed to break down the stigma of struggling with mental health. We believe that talking openly about mental health struggles can help all people strengthen their well being. In Psalm one forty three seven through eight, King David is completely honest about how much he's struggling with his mental health. He prays about it without holding back, and he tells God that he trusts him to help. If you are also struggling with your mental health, you might feel like you have to try to fix your mood before you can talk to God. You might think you need to present a polished prayer to God that makes it seem like you're not really suffering much. But the psalms can help you develop a deeper relationship with God by showing you how to communicate honestly with him. Many of the psalms describe the reality of people suffering in this fallen world. In Psalm one forty three seven through eight, David shows that it's okay to not be okay. David starts his prayer with a desperate plea, answer me quickly, Lord, my spirit fails. If you feel like your spirit is failing today, you're in good company. Many people feel like that sometimes when going through challenging circumstances. Admitting that your mental health is struggling isn't a sign of weak faith. It's actually a sign of healthy faith because it shows that you trust God enough to be honest with him and reach out for help. God already knows what you're going through, and He's strong enough to help you with whatever it is burn out, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health concern. When you're honest with God about the pit you feel you're falling into, you can stop wasting energy trying to hide, whether you're overwhelmed by your responsibilities, worried about a problem you don't know how to solve, who're feeling lonely because of a broken relationship. God wants to help you. You can come to God just as you are. God wants the real you, not the instagram worthy version of you. Remember that God is the one who desired your mind and your emotion. Your loving creator can help you with whatever you're going through as he struggles. David reaches for a lifeline by praying, let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love. When you're struggling mentally, your thoughts can run on a loop of worries and self criticism. You need a different word, a word of God's unfailing love. When you seek God's love, you're placing your mental health in the hands of the great physician. Just pray honestly from your heart about your mental health struggles. Then listen for God's guidance to make the best decisions about caring for your mental health. God may lead you to a counselor a doctor, a support group, or supportive friends. Just as David prayed for God to show me the way I should go, God will show you the way you should go to get the help you need. So if you're struggling with a mental health challenge, remember that you can trust God to love you no matter what and to help you with whatever you need. God is not hiding his face from you. He's right there with you, waiting for you to reach out and take his hand. Intersecting faith in life, as you consider why it's important to be honest with God about your mental health, reflect on these questions. When you feel your spirit failed, is your first instinct to hide from God or to pray to God? Like David dit What are some of the words of unfailing love God's promises in the Bible that you can hold onto when your mental health feels shaky. How can being honest with God about your mental health struggles strengthen your relationship with him? Who are the people in your life that God might be using to show you the way to the mental health care you need. What's one way you can entrust your soul to God today and let him lead you toward better mental health. Further reading Psalm thirty four eighteen, Matthew eleven twenty eight, Philippians four six through seven, one, Peter five seven two, Timothy one seven. Thanks for listening to today's devotional. If you liked what you heard today, we want to make sure you know about our sister podcast, your Daily Prayer. When you follow your daily prayer in your favorite podcast app, you'll get a brand new prayer and devotional each day, so your days begin in conversation with God. If you're looking to grow in prayer or start your day with your heart focused on the right things, search for your daily prayer in your favorite podcast app and be sure to follow the show so you get a new prayer delivered straight to you each morning