MENTAL HEALTH

Disclaimer: I'm not  an expert when it comes to mental health. I have a basic understanding of  Nervous System. It's also important to note that I'm in the infancy of this study, so I'll be sharing as I'm learning.

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In my attempt to learn about mental illnesses, I've figured it would be wise to acquaint myself with the functionality of the brain including the mind, from the perspective of the Creator. Man's knowledge of the mind is limited, but God's knowledge, since He created it, is NOT. In doing so, I will be able to fully understand his purpose for the mind, how to develop it, and how to keep it in its rightful state. By so doing, I'll be able to then know how to deal with mental illnesses.

For now, I'll focus on the mind rather than the brain. Take note: the brain is the structure itself and the mind is made up of thoughts and feelings. Let's look at this way: The brain is like the hardware of a computer while the mind is the software. According to Timothy R. Jennings, Medical Doctor and author of 'Could It Be This Simple? A biblical model for healing the mind', the brain is made up of: spiritual nature, will, thoughts, and feelings.

 These are the 3 principles I've gathered thus far.

1.Mind Controls the Whole Man—The mind controls the whole man. All our actions, good or bad, have their source in the mind. It is the mind that worships God and allies us to heavenly beings.... All the physical organs are the servants of the mind, and the nerves are the messengers that transmit its orders to every part of the body, guiding the motions of the living machinery.(2MCP,396)

From the statement above, we  extract THESE very important facts:

• The mind controls the whole man---(also looking at Anatomy & Physiology (A&T), the nervous system is the control center of the body).
• We worship God through the mind and it is through the mind that we are connected through heavenly beings
• The functionality of the nervous system: there's communication between the brain and the body. More interestingly, the organs receive commands from the brain (central nervous system). This discovery leads us to the second principle.

Other thoughts on the above statement:

-If the mind controls all of you, don't you (I) think it's crucial that it is in the right state and guarded very much since it determines the life we live, through our choices?

-Furthermore, if we worship God with the mind---do we then realize that worship is not an emotional state, where we do not reason. What does this thought say about those who make others drink petrol? Is that true worship?

-Isn't it interesting that God calls us to 'reason' with Him (Isaiah 1:18)?

- Thus, worship has an intellectual basis and we are called to give God our 'reasonable service' 

-Isn't it also interesting that, for transformation to take place, the mind must be renewed? (Something to explore in the future; but you can do the self-study too :) )

2.The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. (Ministry of Healing, p.241)

• There's a correlation between the mind and the body. If we then desire good health, we are not only to be free from physical ailments; but we are to be healthy both physically and mentally.
• If you're depressed, the body is also affected. It is tired, weak, etc. Even when you're sick physically, you mind's activity slows down.
• If you are a student, you cannot then neglect the physical and expect the mental to be at its optimum. Furthermore, you cannot overtax the brain and think physically you'll be strengthened. Both the physical and the mental must not be neglected. Better expressed here:The harmonious action of all the parts—brain, bone, and muscle—is necessary to the full and healthful development of the entire human organism.—Special Testimonies On Education, 33, c1897. (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 426.) 

3.He who made man's mind knows what the mind needs. God alone is the One who can heal. Those whose minds and bodies are diseased are to behold in Christ the restorer. (MH,pp.243,244)

For more resources: Ministry of Healing, Chapter 18: Mind Cure; Mind, Character, and Personality: Volume 1& 2; The Bible.