That evening they brought to him many who were possessed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and cured all who were sick.

Matthew 8:16

I have a demon. Do you?

I’m not talking about a small fiery creature perched on my shoulder. I’m talking about mental illness. I suffer from mental illness just like 1 in 5 other Americans. Visit https://nami.org/mhstats to see some more stats.

There is debate among Christians about what the Bible is talking about when it refers (many times) to Jesus casting out demons. Some think he may have been encountering epileptics, or addicts. Others think it was evil incarnate, taking over people’s minds. I tend to believe that Jesus was coming to the aid of people with serious mental illnesses.

Anyone suffering from mental illness, ranging from low level anxiety to serious psychological conditions, can tell you that demons are real. They can take control and feed on you. They can be remarkably difficult to shake loose from. Evil incarnate? Well, I wouldn’t say a mental illness has a consciousness or a will, but evil need not be personified like that. So, yeah, in some ways I could say that mental illness is evil. It has no redeeming qualities. It robs people of peace and life.

Long before William Peter Blatty’s 1973 film came onto the stage, (remember the haunting piano theme?) there was another exorcist who made headlines. His name was Jesus, and he could cast demons out with just a word.

That’s amazing. But he didn’t stop there. He gave his disciples, first 12, and later 72 followers, authority to cast out demons. And they did! All together, they were a force to be reckoned with. Can you picture it? Christ’s earliest followers healing mental illness left and right.

Lord, we could use some help with that today. Psychology Today has an article titled, “Is a Mental Health Crisis the Next Pandemic?” In the aftermath of the fear and isolation of covid, mental health has become a critical concern. Of course, it’s always been a concern. As long as there have been people, there have been those who have struggled mentally. (Remember Cain?)

I’m a believer. I have faith. I know the power of God and have seen it at work. But I have yet to find an exorcist to expel my demon. Have you?

What I have found are therapists, doctors, pastors, and friends who have been of immeasurable help to me along the way. I have found medication (that didn’t exist in Jesus’ day) that has made a difference in my daily life. I have found the psalms, which describe ancient people struggling with some of the same things I struggle with. Perhaps Jesus is working through these resources.

Still, I must confess, I long to be healed like those folks mentioned in the Gospels. I’d love to meet someone who, with a word, could cast out some of the shadowy parts of my psyche. But even in Jesus’ time, only a fraction of folks in the world who struggled with this stuff received such an overwhelming gift. Even then, people had to find ways to live with their demons. And so do I.

If you have a demon — the mental health kind, or the addiction kind, or the physical ailment kind — you don’t have to suffer alone, and you don’t have to suffer in silence. I encourage you to find some safe places where you can reach out for support. My door is always open, as are many compassionate clergy I know. Therapists are extremely helpful, and psychiatry can help connect you with amazing medicine, should that be necessary. Mental health can be a lifelong struggle to deal with, but it needn’t rob you of love, and meaning, and faith.

And Jesus? The Exorcist? Let’s just say that was never his primary job. His job was Savior. Still is. No matter where we are or what we’re going through, Jesus walks with us, offering us the gifts of salvation, for now and eternity. That means comfort, support, purpose and grace right here and now. Even if it doesn’t always feel like it, I believe he is walking beside us.

When inner evil leaves your head spinning (like Linda Blair), know that the search for health is a lifelong challenge, but one we’re called to undertake.

In fact,

The power of Christ compels you.

Have a good week,

Mitch