The human person is made up of body and spirit, working as one unit — much like the systems in a car. Remove one part, and the whole stops functioning properly. Many approaches to mental health address only the physical and behavioral side, while the spiritual dimension gets left out entirely. Scripture points to this directly: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). The nervous system responds to what the spirit carries — so lasting change often requires addressing both.
A Personal Testimony
Roughly a decade ago, anxiety and depression were a lived reality, not just a clinical subject. Exercise, nutrition, sleep, and other physical strategies were all part of the approach — but the spiritual side wasn’t addressed until 2020, when a season of stillness created space to dig deeper into faith. That search led to a clear conviction: God’s word carries power, and healing follows understanding — not just belief in general, but understanding the actual principles behind how faith operates.
Two Kingdoms at Work
Scripture draws a sharp contrast: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Suffering — including anxiety and mental anguish — traces back to a kingdom working against life, not from God Himself. Recognizing that distinction changes how a person responds to their own suffering.
Faith and Healing
Every healing account in scripture ties back to faith. The woman in Mark 5, who had suffered for twelve years, reached for Jesus’s cloak and was healed instantly — not because of proximity, but because of belief. Jesus told her plainly: “Daughter, your faith has healed you; go in peace” (Mark 5:34). Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being sure of what is hoped for, certain of what is not yet seen.
Faith is built the same way any skill is built — through repetition. Romans 10:17 ties faith directly to hearing scripture. Growth doesn’t happen through willpower alone; it happens through consistent exposure to God’s word.
Confronting Fear
Fear is identified in scripture as a spirit the enemy uses to pull people away from trust — not as something that originates with God. The Bible addresses this fear directly and repeatedly, telling people not to be afraid throughout its pages. 2 Timothy 1:7 states plainly that fear is not what God gives — power, love, and a sound mind are. Persistent fear often signals an opportunity to grow in faith, not a personal failure.
Jesus addressed anxiety directly in Matthew 6, teaching that tomorrow’s worries don’t belong in today’s mind, because provision is already accounted for. The instruction that follows is direct: seek God’s kingdom first, and everything else falls into place (Matthew 6:33).
The Role of Prayer
Prayer is the mechanism of connection with God, and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs believers to pray without ceasing. Jesus modeled a distinct order for prayer in Mark 11:24 — believing something is already received, not waiting to believe until evidence appears. That reversed order is often where prayer breaks down: waiting for proof before trusting, instead of trusting first.
Unforgiveness is named as a common block to answered prayer. Releasing it — and staying consistent in prayer even while still learning — clears space for breakthrough.
A Closing Prayer
The video closes with a prayer over the viewer, asking for the removal of fear, anxiety, and torment, and for peace that surpasses understanding to guard the mind, rooted in Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:7.
This testimony is part one of a two-part series. Part two goes deeper into the specific strategies and scriptures referenced here for overcoming anxiety.
[Watch Part 2 here — link once published]
Rey NP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C, is a dual-certified nurse practitioner sharing both clinical and faith-based perspectives on mental health. This content is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical or mental health care. If you are struggling with your mental health, please consult a licensed provider.
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