A Pastoral Letter to Someone Struggling With Their Mental Health
This Pastoral Christian letter reassures ‘Tommy’ that his life is precious, God-given, and deeply valued during a time of depression and anxiety; urging him to hold on through despair.
Dear Tommy,
You have been really open about the very low feelings you’ve been having and your desperate thoughts. There are so many things that can drive a person to the edge. I hope that this letter will help you pull back from the abyss and find a new pathway. Suicide is never God’s Will for anyone, no matter how bad our circumstances have become. Your life is God-given and precious to Him.
Sacred Worth of Every Human Life
Human life is God’s idea – it was crafted by Him, with each person known intimately and loved deeply. Here are some powerful passages that speak to that truth:
Created in God’s Image
- ‘So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them’ – Genesis 1:27
Every person reflects God’s nature – it is imbued with dignity and purpose. Our very lives point to Him.
- ‘The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life’ – Job 33:4
Life itself is a divine gift, breathed into us by God. Your DNA is no accident but your unique identity brings glory to God.
Known and Loved Before Birth
- ‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ – Psalm 139:13–14
A poetic celebration of God’s intimate involvement in your creation.
- ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart’ – Jeremiah 1:5
God’s foreknowledge and calling affirm the value of each life from the very beginning.
Valued and Redeemed
- ‘Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you.” Isaiah 43:1, 4
A direct declaration of divine love and honour for each person. God has called you by name and says, ‘you are mine’
- ‘You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect’ – 1 Peter 1:18–19
Your worth is underscored by the price God paid to redeem you, the gift of His son taking your sin upon Himself.
- ‘So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows’ – Matthew 10:31
Jesus speaks to reassure you of your value in God’s eyes, even in moments of fear or doubt.
These verses aren’t just poetic—they’re deeply personal. They are a reminder that human life isn’t just valuable in theory, but precious in the eyes of the One who formed it.
Tommy, you matter very much to God.
Pressures and Causes
Life today puts so many pressures on us – emotional, financial, social media, competitiveness and others’ expectations. God knows the impact of these, how often we tend to feel like a failure and then resort to escapism. Far from providing escape, alcohol, drugs and pornography exert power that pulls people towards a vortex of destruction. You also mention an understandable desire to end intense physical pain but thankfully it seems your medical team are making progress with that.
Mental Health and Faith
When God said that we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ in Psalm 139, several translations go on to say, ‘Wonderful are Your works and my soul knows it very well’. This draws on the Bible truth that every human being is made up of ‘body, soul and spirit’ (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Just as our bodies are unique, so too are our minds, that inner part of us. It is there that we filter what we see and think the deepest thoughts that shape our lives and faith.
For those who come to a ‘faith decision’ like you have, it doesn’t mean that you are exempt from doubts, fears and anxieties. It does mean that God renews your mind, that He helps you every moment through the gift of His Holy Spirit. Here’s two other links to help you in this:
- https://connect4life.org.uk/c4l-boosters/call-to-mind/
- https://connect4life.org.uk/c4l-boosters/mental-health/
A couple of other things to mention Tommy. Every child of God has an enemy who is out to destroy them: ‘Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ – 1 Peter 5:8. He is also called the ‘tempter’ (Matthew 4:3) and ‘Father of lies’ (John 8:44). His entry point is your mind; his aim is your total collapse. However, God is for you so go ahead and ask Him for help. God promises to let nothing separate you from Him.
Two Bible Passages To Strengthen You
- Romans 8: 31-39
‘What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Lamentations 3:22-24
‘Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”’
There’s More
There are 150 Psalms. They often come from people in anguish and deepest despair. When you feel low start with Psalms 34:18 – ‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit’
You can then practice ‘appropriation’. Appropriating a Bible verse for yourself is like planting a seed of truth in your soul and letting it grow into something personal and transformative. It’s not just about quoting Scripture—it’s about letting it speak directly to your story, your emotions, your circumstances.
1. Read it Slowly and Prayerfully
• Don’t rush. Let the words settle.
• Ask: “Lord, what are You saying to me through this?”
2. Personalize the Language
• Replace general terms with your name or situation.
• Example: Psalm 23:1 — “The Lord is my (use your own name) shepherd; I shall not want.”
It becomes a declaration over your life.
3. Reflect on the Context
• Understand the original setting and meaning.
• Then ask: “How does this truth apply to my life today?”
4. Write It as a Prayer or Affirmation
• Turn it into a conversation with God.
• Example from Psalm 34:18:
“God, I feel crushed in spirit. Thank You for being close to me right now. I trust You to lift me up.”
5. Live It Out
• Let the verse shape your decisions, your mindset, your worship.
• If it speaks of peace, pursue peace. If it speaks of trust, surrender your fears.
6. Repeat It Often
• Memorize it. Speak it aloud. Journal it.
• Let it become part of your inner spiritual vocabulary.
Tommy, I hope you have found this helpful. Here’s a couple of links when you have more time:
ANXIETY – https://connect4life.org.uk/c4l-boosters/anxiety-living-with-it-or-without-it/
MENTAL HEALTH – https://connect4life.org.uk/c4l-boosters/mental-health/
Praying for you as you come through this,
Oggy