How Jesus Took Care of His Mental Health

            Do you sometimes struggle to fully realize that Jesus was just as much human as He was God? I find it difficult to picture my sinless, death-defeating Saviour with the occasional headache or blisters on His hands and feet. I have to remind myself that He too would’ve stood in line at the market, helped His mom with the dishes, laughed at His own jokes (maybe ;), and gone to His friends’ bar mitzvahs.

            But He also was tempted by the devil to sin. He had to hold His tongue instead of saying something rude. He had to make an effort to actually show love to those around Him, no matter how boundless His love really was.

            In Christ’s humanity, He also got tired. Ministry is already a demanding and tiring calling, though definitely rewarding. I’m sure there were times when, physically, Jesus would have preferred to rest instead of minister to people, to do something fun on His own than teach. Yet, because of His astounding love for us, He put us all above His own desires.

            However, Jesus did need His rest and nourishment – physically, mentally, emotionally, and certainly spiritually. Let’s look at a few examples of how Jesus took care of Himself.

    

Prayer and Solitude

           Luke 5:16 says, “So He [Jesus] Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed” (NKJV).

           Spending time alone with God is so refreshing. Getting away from distractions and other people and drawing near to the Giver of true peace and joy is beneficial in many ways. There’s nothing like the presence of God.

            One interesting things about Like 5:16 is that the verses before show that more and more people were coming to Jesus to hear Him speak and to be healed by Him. The wording of verse 16 shows the direct connection between Jesus’ time with God and His ministry.

            Another instance of Jesus withdrawing for prayer and solitude is in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest (see Matthew 26:36-46). When his soul was “exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death” and when He was “deeply distressed,” He prayed (verses 37, 38).

            Thirdly, in Mark 1:32-39 we see Jesus withdrawing before and after preaching, healing, casting out demons, and ministering to the multitudes. Verse 33 says that “the whole city was gathered together at the door.” How did Jesus recover from doing so much for so many people for so long?

            “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (verse 35).

            Lastly, Matthew 14 shows Jesus’ habit of praying and spending time alone very clearly. The chapter begins with John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin and forerunner, being beheaded for calling out King Herod’s sin.

            Deeply grieved by the news, Jesus departed by the boat “to a deserted place by Himself” (verse 13). However, multitudes of people heard about this and followed Him. This crowd of well over 5,000 became the crowd Jesus would teach and feed by multiplying five loaves and two fish.

            Afterwards, what did He do? “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there” (verse 23).

            This remarkable miracle of feeding the 5,000 and healing the sick was book-ended by prayer and alone time with God.

            Surely, these examples are included in the Bible for us to follow. Whenever we are tired, depleted, and in need of spiritual, mental, and emotional nourishment, the presence of God is the first place we must run to. God will carry our heavy burdens when we surrender them in prayer. He will sustain us and renew our strength when we come to Him. Remnant, let us seek Him.

            Let’s do it together.

            -Olivia

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