In my last article, I discussed the importance of mental health. This time, I want to discuss something that many Christians struggle to talk about: spiritual warfare and the importance of discernment. As someone passionate about both faith and mental health, I believe these conversations require wisdom, compassion, and balance. While staying at a homeless shelter, I met a woman in a wheelchair who was really struggling. She often had nightmares at night. One evening, an alarm went off, and the following night she thought she heard bells ringing. She became very upset and angry.

While everyone else slept, I lay awake listening to the commotion. As I listened, I felt the Lord speak very clearly to my heart: "Lydia, she has a demon. Pray for her."

Now, I understand that some people may be uncomfortable reading that. Others may disagree with my interpretation entirely. I'm simply sharing what I experienced and what I believed the Lord was showing me in that moment. So I prayed. "Jesus, bring her peace. Bring her comfort. I pray all demons off of her. I ask you to set her free. Let Your presence surround her. Let her know she is loved." After praying, I felt peace. The shelter became quiet, and she eventually went back to sleep. The next morning, I walked up to her and asked, "Were you having nightmares last night?" "Yes," she replied.

She began sharing how much the nightmares had been affecting her. I asked if she had ever sought help. She said, "I was in therapy for seven and a half years, but I stopped." I told her I was sorry she had been carrying that burden for so long. As we continued talking, I gently mentioned something I had noticed. "You seem to get really angry sometimes." She wasn't offended.

Instead, she explained, "I have to be angry. If I'm not angry, people will walk all over me." My heart broke for her. I told her, "You can be kind and still have firm boundaries. You don't have to live in anger to protect yourself. We are safe here." Then I hugged her. Later that evening, I saw her again. She smiled and told me she had a really good day. When I asked why, she said, "Because all my defenses came down today, and I felt so much love."

Whether her struggle was emotional, spiritual, related to trauma, or some combination of all three, what struck me most was not the darkness she was carrying but the freedom she experienced when she felt loved.

I share this story because I believe Christians should recognize both the reality of mental health struggles and the reality of spiritual warfare. Sometimes people are dealing with trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. Sometimes, there may also be spiritual issues involved. The key is discernment.

As Christians, we should be careful not to assume that every struggle is caused by a demon. Not every traumatic experience, mental health condition, or emotional wound is a sign of demonic activity. We should never go "demon searching." Jesus didn't spend His ministry looking for demons around every corner. Instead, He remained focused on His Father, and when He encountered someone who needed freedom, He responded in obedience and compassion. As Christians, we are called to do the same.

There were times in my own life when I didn't know whether what I was experiencing was spiritual, emotional, or the result of trauma. What I learned is that prayer, Scripture, community, and mental health support can all have a place in the healing process.

Jesus commanded His disciples: "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." — Matthew 10:8

At the same time, Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing." — John 5:19

That balance is important. We should neither ignore the spiritual realm nor become obsessed with it. Our focus should remain on Christ, loving people well, praying for those who are hurting, and walking in obedience to God. Whether someone needs prayer, counseling, friendship, practical support, or all of the above, our calling remains the same: to love others and point them toward hope, healing, and freedom in Jesus Christ.

References

The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Biblica.

Matthew 10:5–8. The Mission of the Twelve.

Mark 5:1–20. Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man.

Luke 8:1–3. Women Who Supported Jesus' Ministry.

Luke 2:41–49. The Boy Jesus at the Temple.

John 5:19. The Authority of the Son.

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Publishing.

National Alliance on Mental Illness. Mental Health Conditions. https://www.nami.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Mental Health Resources. https://www.samhsa.gov