The Truth About Mental Health No One Wants to Say

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Read time: 5 minutes

Welcome to One Day Out, a weekly newsletter to help deepen your faith, enhance your health, and guide you in pursuing a purpose-filled life.

Opening Prayer

Father, thank You for never giving up on me, even when I tried to fill the void with everything but You. I lift up every person reading this who is struggling with anxiety, depression, or hopelessness. I pray You soften their hearts, open their eyes, and reveal the peace and joy that only You can provide. Use this message to draw people closer to You. Amen.

I Tried Everything—And Still Felt Empty

I’ll never forget waking up one morning in the summer after I graduated college, staring at the ceiling, and asking myself, “What’s the point?”

I was 23. I had a degree. I had a job. I had freedom. But I was anxious. Directionless. Alone.

I did what I always did when I felt overwhelmed—laced up my shoes and went on a run. Or hit the gym. Or turned on a motivational podcast. Fitness was my escape. But when the run was over and I sat back down at my desk, all the feelings came flooding back.

So I tried more.
Self-help books.
Podcasts.
Meet-ups.
Meditation.
Breathwork.
Cold plunges.
Sound baths.
Chakra alignment.

They all made me feel better—for a moment. But none of it fixed the real problem.

The Truth Is, None of That Stuff Could Save Me

Because my problem wasn’t a mindset issue. It wasn’t a breathwork issue. It wasn’t even a purpose issue.

It was a heart issue.

I didn’t need to feel better. I needed to be made new.

The anxiety, the depression, the comparison, the fear—they weren’t diseases. They were symptoms of a life disconnected from the One who created me.

I was trying to do everything in my own strength.
Trying to save myself with workouts.
Trying to numb the pain with productivity.
Trying to earn my way to peace.

But only Jesus can give true peace. The kind that doesn’t go away when the podcast ends or the gym closes. The kind that doesn’t fade when life gets hard.

Jesus Didn’t Just Help Me—He Saved Me

When the Lord got ahold of my heart, I was 23. I was working with a startup, creating content, trying to build something meaningful. From the outside, it looked like I had it figured out—I had a degree, I had a job, I had freedom.

But inside, I felt anxious. Directionless.
I was constantly comparing myself to others online.
I felt like I should be further ahead.
I let it steal my joy because I was putting my hope in myself and in man to fix what only God could.

And that’s when Jesus stepped in.
He didn’t wave a magic wand and make everything easy. But He gave me purpose in the pain.
He gave me peace in the chaos.
He gave me JOY in the suffering.

That’s the difference.

Because when your identity is in Christ, the highs don’t make you arrogant and the lows don’t destroy you.

He says in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”
But that fruit doesn’t grow overnight.

2 Chronicles 15:7 reminds us:
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

A relationship with Jesus takes work—like any relationship. But the reward is worth everything.

There Is Hope—for You, Too

I don’t say any of this lightly. I know how heavy this subject is. I’ve cried those tears. I’ve sat in that darkness. I’ve asked the hard questions.

And that’s why I have to tell you the truth:
You don’t have to stay stuck.
You don’t have to fake a smile.
You don’t have to numb the pain with another escape.

There is a permanent fix for the brokenness in your heart. And His name is Jesus.

When the Spirit of Christ lives in you, everything changes.
Not overnight. Not perfectly. But deeply, truly, eternally.

He transforms your heart.
He renews your mind.
And He gives you a joy that no circumstance can steal.

Let me be clear—mental health awareness matters.
It’s important that we talk about it. That we support one another. That we create safe spaces for healing.

But as Christians, we’re not called to stop at awareness.
We’re not called to celebrate struggle.
We’re called to testify.

To let our lives point to the One who brings true healing.
To share the hope of the Gospel with the broken, weary, and afraid.
To say: “I’ve been where you are—and here’s how Jesus changed everything.”

Because that’s what the world needs. Not just more awareness.
But more truth. More grace. More Jesus.

Joy in a Village with Nothing

Last year, I spent a month in Tanzania. It was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. These people had very little by the world’s standards—no social media, no fancy clothes, no Doordash.

But they had JOY.

The men would gather for breakfast each morning before heading off to work. Kids wore the same clothes every day. Families spent time together. They lived in community.

It reminded me that God didn’t create us to live isolated, anxious lives behind screens. He created us to live in communion—with Him, and with each other.

There is Hope in the name of Jesus
If you’ve been struggling with anxiety, depression, comparison, or fear—my heart breaks with you. But I also want you to know:

You are not broken beyond repair.
You don’t need another band-aid.
You need a Savior.

The world will offer you temporary fixes.
Jesus offers you new life.

So be strong. Don’t give up. He is closer than you think.

Closing Prayer
Jesus, I pray for the person reading this who feels like there’s no hope. Show them You’re the way, the truth, and the life. Let them know that they are loved, chosen, and never too far gone. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for giving me joy that no feeling or circumstance can take away. Continue to soften my heart to Your voice and use my life to lead others to You.

In Your name,
Amen.

P.S. If this message spoke to you and you're ready to take back control of your health—physically, mentally, and spiritually—I have 2 coaching spots open for May.

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