Have you ever wondered what is the origin of our mental health?
If you do a quick google search, you’ll find several articles on the origin and root causes of mental illnesses, but you’ll be hard pressed in discovering where mental health actually originates from. The fact is, most people have probably never given it much thought.
I have somewhat of an inquisitive nature and am fascinated by how things work…particularly the mind and the brain. So, I was thrilled to discover the origin of mental health straight from the Bible! Yep, you heard me---straight from the B-I-B-L-E!
My discovery of recognizing science in the Bible started many years ago when I stumbled upon a passage that I was reading found in the Book of Psalms from chapter 139 and verse 13:
“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.”
Now, this is the King James Version translation and we no longer say thou or hast, however, I love the definition of the Hebrew text (which is primarily what the Old Testament was written in) given for the word “reins” which is defined as: the center of emotions, affection, passion and relating to the mind.
Mentalhealth.gov states that mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and that it affects how we think, feel, act. When you compare the Hebrew definition of reins and mentalhealth.gov’s definition of mental health, they basically have the same meaning. Therefore, it becomes very clear that the origin of our mental health is found in the Bible and comes from God Himself. 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾.
The Limbic System
Did you know that within the center of our brains, there is an entire section solely dedicated to the regulation of our “reins” or emotions? This section of the brain is called the limbic system. I find it quite interesting that our reins or limbic system is centered or prominently placed within our brain. In other words, we can be assured that our emotions (or emotional state) are of central importance to God.
The Bible is not just a book that tells us about sin and salvation; it is FULL of examples of how we experience every gamut of emotional display. Research shows that human behavior is rooted in five core emotions: joy, fear, anger, sadness, and disgust. Far too often, we don’t always understand how to manage these range of emotions when they lead us down a trail of depression, regret, bitterness, shame, guilt, and confusion. The Bible tells us that emotions can be finicky and even deceptive, but once we understand that they are a gift from God to be managed appropriately, then we will be able to experience a life of wholeness: spirit, soul, and body--leading to healthy maintenance of our emotions and mental health.
Are you interested in learning more about a specific emotion or mental health topic? Leave a comment below.
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