top of page
Search

Strong in Spirit, Tender in Heart: Faith & Mental Health Series

  • Writer: Angela U Burns
    Angela U Burns
  • 7 days ago
  • 3 min read

What does it mean to be “strong in spirit”? 


Does it mean that when you are tempted you always recognize it and not yield? 


Being strong in spirit doesn’t mean you never feel weak or you wouldn’t sin.


And having a “tender heart” doesn’t mean you’re emotionally fragile. 


In fact, the most powerful kind of faith lives at the intersection of both — where strength comes from surrender and emotional honesty leads to spiritual depth.


The Bible presents Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a woman of deep faith and profound emotional strength. When Simeon prophesied over baby Jesus, he told Mary, “And a sword will pierce your very soul.” (Luke 2:35, NLT). 


Mary would live to see her son rejected, beaten, and crucified. Yet she remained present. 


Mary stood at the cross, heart broken but spirit anchored in obedience. Her faith didn’t prevent pain — it gave her the strength to endure it. That is grace-infused emotional resilience.


We also see Thomas, often called “Doubting Thomas,” after the resurrection. He struggled to believe what he couldn’t see. He said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were… I will not believe.” (John 20:25, NIV). 


His doubt came from grief, confusion, and fear — very human emotions. But when Jesus appeared, He didn’t shame Thomas. Instead, He said, “Put your finger here; see my hands… Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27, NIV). 


Jesus met Thomas in his emotional struggle and gave him the space to process his pain.


Many of us today, if not all of us, are going through mental and emotional struggles. However, this does not make us less spiritual. God designed us with feelings — and those feelings are not flaws. They are part of how we connect to Him and others.


Psalm 73:26 gives us something to hold on to. It says: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (ESV). 


So when our emotional capacity is depleted, God becomes our supply. Hallelujah.


We understand then that being tender in heart means you feel deeply. Being strong in spirit means you rise even when it hurts.


And yet, many Christians live under pressure to “just be strong.” We are told to pray harder, smile bigger, worship louder — all while quietly trying to handle the stresses of life, some which seem so overwhelming. 


But the Gospel is not about pretending. It’s about healing.


Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4, ESV). 


He didn’t say those who hide it. He said those who admit it.


Today Family, if we find ourselves mentally exhausted, emotionally drained, and spiritually confused, know that we are not disqualified — we are precisely where grace enters. 


Strength in the Spirit doesn’t mean emotional denial. It means continuing to walk forward with our hearts open to God’s help.


Family, we are allowed to feel. We are allowed to rest. We are allowed to receive support. Because even when we are at our lowest, the Spirit of God in us is still strong — steadying our soul with supernatural peace.


Let the world say “toughen up,” but let Christ say, “Come to Me.” He sees the strength it takes to keep believing, keep showing up, and keep healing.


So we make some declarations today: We are strong. We are tender. We are held. And we are never alone in our battle for mental and emotional wholeness.



aub - 3Jul25

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page