Biblical Mental Illness Stories

With the death of Robin Williams, we have seen a spike in the interest of people concerning what mental illness is and how can it be overcome. Among religious groups there tends to be certain lines of thought. For example some religious groups believe that mental illness:

1. Simply does not exist. It is a behavioral or sin problem.
2. It does exist, but prayer, Bible reading, etc. can cure it.
3. It is a real physiological problem.
4. It is demon possession.
5. It is a combination of these things.

The majority of people would say that the Bible never mentions mental illness and then, some would then say that this proves that it is simply a sin problem. They seem to have no comprehension that the brain can become diseased just as the liver, the heart, or even one's eyes.


In an upcoming book, I want to challenge the belief that the Bible does not deal with mental illness. I believe that it does and it does so in at least a dozen different people's lives. And so, this post is simply an opportunity for me to give you a taste of what I have found. Why is this important? Simply put, it is estimated that 25% of our population will live with some type of mental health difficulty ranging from a mild depression to severe, to bipolar and schizophrenia, to OCD and PTSD. If the Bible recognizes the possibility of mental health concerns, then we need to be able to learn more compassion and less judgementalism towards those who are experiencing difficulties. We need to be able to come along side to encourage these individuals just as we would if they had cancer, a broken leg, or some other sickness.


Our journey starts in I Samuel 21 with King Saul on the warpath for the next anointed King, David. David takes off in fear of his life. He leaves so quickly that he neglects to bring a weapon or even some food and so 3 days later he lies to the priest in order to be able to get these necessities. He then takes off for the city of Gath where Achish is King. Upon arrival the King's men recognize him and are fearful of him as they know of the many that he has killed and so they confront him. Now, notice what happens next:
            
                  "David then feared for his life and so he changed his behavior towards them.
                   He became like a mad man (mental illness/insanity), scratched things into
                   the gates, and letting his own saliva drool all over his beard."


Wow! Here David starts lying and deceiving again (this time to protect himself). And how does he do it? By pretending to have mental illness! Where would he learn these behaviors? The answer is found in the response of King Achish:


                    "Don't I have enough mad, mentally ill people around here? Do I really need
                      another mentally unstable person here? Get him out of here!"


And so David's life is saved and he moves on. But notice, the King claims to have more than enough mentally ill people around him, around most likely the gates begging. He wants no new folk. The people of that day fully knew what madness looked like. It is an accepted fact.


From the life of David, we then can move on to Jeremiah, Elisha, Job, Samson, Jonah, Moses, Ezekiel, Nebuchadnezzar, and others who either suffered themselves or have shown something in their stories showing it within the community. Oh, let me not forget Jesus, yes Jesus, but you must wait for the book on that.


One of the important features of this book will be to point out that never is a mentally ill person told to repent, to believe, to read their Bible's more, or to even pray. They are accepted, they are loved, and sometimes they were healed. There was no condemnation towards them as mental illness is a legitimate physical illness.


As I have read so much on the life of Robin Williams in these last days, I have been appalled at the vicious comments towards him and towards mental illness in general. His daughter took down her social media sites as the nastiness was simply too much.


We as Jesus followers are called to be different. Robin did not take his life - an illness did. We must surround his family, we must surround other families, we must surround those who are experiencing mental health challenges and we must show them the love and compassion of God. They are not experiencing these things because of sin. They have a physical illness. We know that with the right help, 90% will go on to live productive lives, but they will need the love of family, friends, and community to do so.


RIP Robin Williams. May we as Jesus followers do a better job of loving others as a result of your life.


Blessings,
David