It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Finding Peace When Your Mind Feels Out of Control
Pastor Kyle Veach
I’ll be real with you — I didn’t see it coming.
I’m consistent. Steady. Not too high, not too low. But one Wednesday morning in October 2021, after dropping the kids off and leaving the gym, I had a full-blown panic attack. My third in three days. I texted Kara. What is it about being vulnerable with the people who know you best that can be the hardest sometimes? Soon after, I got a message from a pastor friend that said, “You’re not okay, we know it, and it’s okay.”
That line changed everything.
Click the link to watch the full message from our series Weeds in My Garden — because if you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, depression, or exhaustion, I want you to know you’re not alone.
When the Pastor Isn’t Okay
I never expected to be the one breaking down. I’m the guy who shows up at the hospital after someone gets bad news. I preach. I lead. I smile. On the outside, everything looked good — marriage, family, ministry. But inside, it was panic. Fear. Pressure.
I was embarrassed. Ashamed. Not just because I’m a Christian, but because I’m a pastor. And yet, that’s where God began to teach me that it’s okay to not be okay — because peace doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from fixing your thoughts on Him.
The God of Peace — Through and Through
When I finally admitted that I wasn’t okay, a verse came alive in a new way:
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
That phrase “through and through” hit me hard. God doesn’t just care about my soul — He cares about my whole being. My body. My emotions. My mental health. He is the God of peace through and through.
The Church Must Talk About Mental Health
Some people think the church shouldn’t talk about mental health. They say things like, “Just pray more,” or “If you really have faith, you wouldn’t feel anxious.”
But here’s the truth:
Just because Jesus saved you doesn’t mean He instantly fixes every area of your life.
He redeems your soul, yes. But your mind is a process — it takes renewal, not just rescue.
We love to preach, “Come to Jesus and He’ll change everything,” and that’s true — but it doesn’t happen overnight. If you’ve battled anxiety or depression and you’ve felt like you “shouldn’t,” you’re not broken — you’re human.
Two Mental Health Myths Christians Need to Stop Believing:
Myth #1: Christians shouldn’t struggle with mental health.
This one hurts the most. Somewhere along the way, the Church started implying that if you’re anxious, depressed, or burnt out, it must be your fault. Maybe you’re not praying enough, trusting enough, or spiritual enough.
But the Bible is full of people who loved God deeply and still wrestled with their minds:
Elijah called down fire from heaven, then became so depressed he wanted to die (1 Kings 18–19).
David, a man after God’s heart, defeated Goliath but later wrote, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13).
Jeremiah, the “weeping prophet,” battled loneliness, insecurity, and despair (Jeremiah 9, 15, 20).
You can love Jesus and still battle anxiety. You can serve faithfully and still face burnout. You can attend church and still need help.
Struggling with mental health doesn’t mean you’re not a good Christian — it means you’re human.
Myth #2: God doesn’t care about your mental health.
Maybe you think God is too busy with “bigger problems.” But Scripture paints a completely different picture.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1
God isn’t distant from your pain — He draws close to it. He doesn’t just care about what’s eternal; He cares about what’s emotional.
Getting Help Is Not Weakness — It’s Wisdom
After my breakdown, I did something that felt impossible for a pastor: I called a counselor. When I told people, some were surprised. But listen — getting help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom. After several sessions, the diagnosis wasn’t burnout, sin, or failure — it was mental exhaustion.
Physically, spiritually, relationally, I was healthy. But mentally? I was spent.
And I realized — that’s where so many of us live. Constantly “fine,” but deeply tired in our minds.
Love God With Your Mind
Jesus said:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” — Matthew 22:37
We’re good at loving God with our hearts. We show up at church, we worship, we serve. We love Him with our souls through prayer and devotion. But loving Him with our minds — that’s where many of us fall short.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts.
Your brain builds patterns called neural pathways — like highways for your thoughts. The more often you think something, the easier it becomes to think it again. That’s why changing your thoughts is a process. It’s not instant. It’s renewal.
Fix Your Thoughts on God
When I began fighting for my mental health, one verse became my anchor:
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” — Isaiah 26:3
That phrase perfect peace literally means shalom, shalom — complete, whole peace. Not circumstantial peace. Not temporary peace. Perfect peace.
But notice the condition:
Peace isn’t found by fixing your thoughts on CNN, Fox News, social media, or your bank account. It’s found by fixing your thoughts on God.
The Hebrew word for “fixed” — samak — means “to lean your full weight on.” When your thoughts lean completely on God, your mind starts to heal.
Renewing Your Mind Takes Time
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him.” — 2 Peter 1:3
That means you already have what you need — but you still have to grow into it. For me, it didn’t happen overnight. It took months, even years, of prayer, counseling, rest, and daily renewal.
I started replacing thoughts like:
“I can’t handle this.”
“This is too much.”
“I’m failing.”
With truths like:
“God is my source and my strength.”
“He has given me everything I need.”
“I can do all things through Christ.”
And over time, the peace of God began to take root again.
Peace in the Presence of God
Jesus said:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” — John 14:27
He didn’t say, “I’ll give you a peace.” He said, “My peace.” The same peace that carried Him the night before He was arrested and crucified — that’s the peace He offers us.
Peace isn’t found in the absence of problems; it’s found in the presence of God.
That’s the promise of shalom shalom — perfect peace that remains steady through chaos.
When you get bad news — peace.
When the job ends — peace.
When your marriage struggles — peace.
When your kids wander — peace.
When money runs low — peace.
The world didn’t give it, and the world can’t take it away.
Practical Ways to Care for Your Mind This Week
You can’t pray for peace and neglect your mind. Growth requires space.
Here are a few simple ways to give God that space this week:
Take a walk — with no headphones. Let silence make room for God’s voice.
Talk to a friend — a healthy one. Don’t isolate; let others in.
Pray before you scroll — Ask God to help you choose peace before distraction.
Because peace doesn’t grow in neglect — it grows when you give God space.
The Peace of Salvation
Here’s the truth: peace will always start with salvation.
You can’t experience the peace of God until you’ve made peace with God.
If you’ve been searching for peace but haven’t surrendered your life to Jesus, that’s the first step. His presence doesn’t remove every storm, but it anchors you through them.
Peace isn’t found in the absence of problems, but in the presence of God.
Reflection Questions
Where in your life do you need God’s peace most right now?
Which of your thoughts need to be “fixed” on Him this week?
What practical step can you take to care for your mind and invite God’s presence?
Further Resources
Winning the War in Your Mind – by Craig Groeschel
A practical guide on renewing your thoughts and taking control of your mental patterns through biblical truth.
The Promise of Peace - teaching series from Saddleback Church
A powerful message on finding God’s peace even when life feels uncertain.
Finds.Life.Church - articles from Life.Church that have to do with spiritual and emotional well-being
