Podcast Summary: “Heal Your Hurting Mind | Heal Your Hurting Mind: Part 1”

Podcast: Life.Church with Craig Groeschel
Host: Craig Groeschel
Date: February 15, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode marks the beginning of a new series titled “Heal Your Hurting Mind,” inspired by Craig Groeschel’s new book of the same name. The series—and book—aim to provide biblical hope and practical guidance for dealing with anxiety, depression, burnout, and difficult emotions, especially within the context of Christian faith. Groeschel openly addresses the reality of mental health struggles among Christians, reduces the stigma, and explores God’s design for holistic healing: spirit, soul, and body.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Story & Breaking the Stigma

• Craig shares his own battle with mental exhaustion and anxiety despite being in a good place spiritually, relationally, and physically.

  "Outwardly, you may look really, really normal, but inwardly you might be battling with anxiety and stress or exhaustion and depression." – Craig Groeschel (00:45)

• He emphasizes the challenge for Christian leaders to acknowledge struggle, but assures listeners:

  “If you're there... you are not alone. Our Heavenly Father is here. He understands your pain and he wants to bring healing for your hurting mind.” – Craig Groeschel (01:00)

2. Biblical Foundation for Healing

• Craig introduces the triune nature of humans, citing 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (05:10):

  “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless...”

• He explains the distinction between justification (instant, spiritual salvation) and sanctification (the ongoing process of becoming like Jesus, including mind and emotions).

3. Why Faith Does Not Remove All Struggles

• Emphasizes that salvation doesn’t instantly fix mental or emotional struggles; those require a process of healing and renewal.

  “Salvation is instant, but sanctification takes time.” – Craig Groeschel (14:40)

• The church should be the safest place to talk openly about mental health.

  “It doesn't make you a bad Christian, it just makes you human.” (17:55)

4. Mental Health in the Bible

• Craig gives biblical examples of godly people struggling with emotional pain:
  • Elijah: Raised the dead, called fire from heaven, yet was deeply depressed (22:00).
  • David: A man after God’s heart, yet felt abandoned (23:15).
  • Jeremiah: The “weeping prophet” who cursed the day he was born.
• Bible passages don’t hide their struggles, showing honesty before God is welcomed.

5. Holistic Approach to Healing

• God sees and cares for all of you: spirit, soul (mind, will, emotions), and body (28:00).
• Healing can come through spiritual, relational, medical, and lifestyle means:

  “Yeah, you need more God. But when we're talking about mental health, God looks at us holistically. Spirit, soul and body.” (32:10)

• It’s wise, not weak, to seek help:

  “Getting help isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of wisdom.” (46:00)

6. Craig’s Personal Process of Healing

• Consulted Dr. Wayne Chappelle, took mental health assessments.
• Result: Physically and spiritually healthy, but mentally exhausted (48:15).
• Steps for healing:
  • Admitting struggle and reaching out for help.
  • Taking negative thoughts captive, replacing lies with biblical truth (55:23).
  • Creating scriptural affirmations:

    “God is my source and my strength. I have everything I need to do everything he called me to do.” (1:01:11)

  • Practice and time are key – healing took about 18 months.

7. Perfect Peace: Shalom Shalom

• Isaiah 26:3—true, “perfect peace” comes from fixing thoughts on God, not circumstances.
• The Hebrew term “shalom shalom” means complete, unshakable peace (53:30).
• We are invited to lean our full weight on God’s strength, not our own.

8. Practical Encouragement and Action Steps

• Healing is a journey; take one step at a time (1:11:00).
• Action steps might include talking to someone, seeing a counselor, making a lifestyle change, or simply resting.
• God's promise of faithfulness:

  “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through... The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” (1:15:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the church and mental health:

  “The church should be the safest place to talk about these issues and to struggle with mental health issues.” (17:45)

• On honesty before God:

  “God is not afraid of your honesty. He cares. If you hurt, he hurts.” (41:40)

• On seeking help:

  “Getting help isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of wisdom.” (46:00)

• Practical mantra from scripture:

  “God is my source and my strength. I have everything I need to do everything he called me to do.” (1:01:11)

• On sanctification:

  “Salvation is instant, but healing is a journey.” (1:06:50)

• Pastoral reassurance:

  “You're not alone. God cares about all of you.” (1:13:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:45 – Craig’s personal story: facing burnout despite outward health
• 05:10 – The biblical model: Spirit, soul, and body
• 13:35 – Salvation vs. sanctification: healing is a process
• 17:45 – The church as a safe space for mental health conversations
• 22:00-25:10 – Biblical examples: Elijah, David, Jeremiah, and Heman
• 32:10 – Holistic healing: Spirit, soul, body
• 41:40 – Psalm 88 and God’s acceptance of our pain
• 46:00 – Getting help is wisdom
• 48:15 – Craig’s consultation with Dr. Chappelle
• 55:23 – Replacing negative thoughts with biblical truth
• 1:01:11 – Scriptural affirmation: “God is my source and my strength...”
• 1:06:50 – “Salvation is instant, but healing is a journey.”
• 1:11:00 – Take just one step
• 1:15:20 – Pastoral blessing and reassurance

Conclusion & Next Steps

Craig Groeschel closes by challenging every listener, regardless of where they’re at, to take just one step toward healing—confessing, reaching out, seeking help, or making a practical change. He underscores that God cares about all aspects of your being and is faithful to bring healing in His timing and way.

Key Takeaways:

• You are not alone in your struggles.
• Healing for your mind and emotions is possible, and it’s a process.
• Seeking help is wise and godly.
• Fix your thoughts on God’s truth, replacing lies with scripture.
• God promises to sanctify you—spirit, soul, and body.

Next in the series:
This episode is the foundation; the coming weeks will build further on specific aspects of healing for a hurting mind.

For Resources:
Visit life.church or the Life.Church app. To read more, look for the book “Heal Your Hurting Mind” by Craig Groeschel.