Finding Peace in the Storm: When Mental Wellness Meets Faith

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about storms—not just the ones that roll through our weather forecast, but the ones that crash over our hearts and minds when life feels overwhelming. Maybe you know what I mean. The kind of storms that leave you feeling like you’re drowning in anxiety, depression, or just the sheer weight of existing in this broken world.

Matthew 14:22-36 were shared on a Sunday morning sermon. Peter’s story on the water hit me differently than it ever has before. Here’s this man who literally steps out of a boat in the middle of a storm because Jesus told him to come. And for a moment—a beautiful, impossible moment—he walks on water. But then he sees the wind, feels the chaos around him, and starts to sink.

Lord, save me.

Those three words might be the most honest prayer I’ve ever heard.

When Real Life Hits Hard

Let’s be honest about something: the world right now feels pretty chaotic. Between global conflicts, economic uncertainty, climate disasters, and the general sense that everything is spinning out of control, it’s no wonder so many of us are struggling with our mental health. Even as believers, we’re not immune to the weight of it all.

I used to think that having faith meant I should be able to handle everything with perfect peace and trust. But then I read about the disciples in that boat, terrified by what they thought was a ghost walking toward them on the water. These were Jesus’ closest followers, and they were absolutely panicked. It strikes me that if they could be overwhelmed by fear even in Jesus’ presence, then maybe my anxiety doesn’t disqualify me from faith—maybe it just makes me human.

The Church as Safe Harbor

One of the things I love most about church is how it reminds us of truth when our minds are telling us lies. When depression whispers that we’re alone, corporate worship declares that we belong to something bigger. When anxiety screams that everything is falling apart, we sing together about God’s faithfulness. There’s something powerful about being in a room full of people who are also choosing to believe that Jesus is bigger than the storm.

In Matthew 14, after Jesus rescues Peter and climbs into the boat, the wind stops. And everyone in that boat falls down and worships, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God”. Sometimes I think the church at its best is like that boat full of people who’ve just witnessed Jesus show up in their storm. We’re all a little shaken, maybe still catching our breath, but we’re worshiping together because we’ve seen His power firsthand.

The Real Problem Beneath the Surface

Here’s what I’m learning: while medication, therapy, and coping strategies are all important tools (and I’m grateful for each of them), there’s something deeper happening in our struggle for mental wellness. Beneath all the fragmented thoughts and overwhelming emotions is a spiritual reality. We are broken people living in a broken world, longing for wholeness.

Jesus doesn’t just calm our symptoms. He addresses the root. When He says, “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid,” He’s not just offering temporary comfort. He’s revealing His identity as the great “I AM” the one who has authority over every storm we’ll ever face. That’s not just mental health advice.

The Power of Where We Fix Our Gaze

Peter’s experience teaches us something crucial about mental wellness, where we focus our attention makes all the difference. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he could do the impossible. But the moment he shifted his focus to the wind and waves around him, he started to sink.

I think about this when my mind starts spiraling. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious about anything, but instead to pray about everything with thanksgiving, and God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds. It’s not just positive thinking. It’s consciously choosing to redirect our mental energy toward Christ and His promises rather than getting caught up in the chaos around us.

Practical Steps for Storm-Walking

So how do we actually live this out? Here are a few things I’m learning:

1. When anxiety hits, my first instinct is usually to catastrophize or try to control everything. I’m learning to make “Lord, save me” my automatic response instead. It’s simple, honest, and it works.

2. Philippians 4:8 gives us a filter for our thoughts: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable—think about these things. This isn’t about ignoring reality; it’s about choosing what deserves our mental energy.

3. Jesus spent time in solitude with the Father, but He also lived in community with the disciples. Both are essential for mental wellness. We need times of quiet with God, and we need people who will sit in the boat with us when the storms hit.

4. Peter started to go under, but Jesus immediately reached out and caught him. Even when we feel like we’re drowning, Christ’s grip on us is stronger than our grip on Him.

Hope for the Journey

Mental wellness isn’t about having it all together or never struggling with difficult emotions. It’s about learning to recognize Jesus’ presence in the storm and trusting that His peace really can guard our hearts and minds in ways that transcend human understanding.

Some days I feel like Peter walking confidently on the waves. Other days I feel like I’m sinking fast and can barely whisper, “Lord, save me.” Both experiences are part of the journey, and both teach me something about who Jesus is and how much I need Him.

The beautiful thing is that whether we’re walking on water or being pulled from the depths, the end result is the same. We find ourselves back in the boat with Jesus, amazed once again by who He is, ready to worship the One who is truly the Son of God.