“Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while 

wicked people were doing evil things to him. 

So do not get tired and stop trying.”

Your mental health is an important part of your ministry. 

God wants you to be healthy in every area of your life—emotionally, spiritually, and physically. You probably have a good idea of how to be healthy spiritually. You likely have an idea about some habits that can help your physical health. But for many leaders, mental health is ignored.

Paul tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2 NIV). God transforms our minds as we focus on the right things. Here are three things you can focus on to improve your mental health:

You’ve heard the saying, “You become what you think about most.” If you want to become more like Jesus, you have to fill your thoughts with his Word.

Hebrews 12:3 says, “Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying” (NCV).

The Bible says in Philippians 2:4, “Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing” (TLB).

Do you realize how countercultural that is? Our world teaches you to think about yourself and nobody else. But Jesus was countercultural, and when you think about him, you’ll naturally think of others.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). When you start focusing on truths like that, all of your problems seem inferior compared to the glory, joy, and pleasure of the things awaiting us in eternity.

Your mind is your greatest asset and your greatest battleground. Ask God to help you make the choice every day to feed on God’s Word, free your mind of destructive thoughts, and fill your mind with Jesus, others, and eternity. Then you’ll have won the battle.