Whether we want it or not, information in this present technological age is literally at our fingertips. Unsolicited newsletters pop into our email inboxes. One glaring headline after the next invades our newsfeed. And, somehow, subtle ideas and images that may or may not coincide with our thoughts and beliefs, find their way to our explore pages. With all that information constantly swirling from all directions, sometimes it can be hard to nail down the truth. Whether disguised by layers of conflicting perspectives or just lost completely, the path to truth can often lead to more questions than answers. Foundations that once seemed solid and dependable, become shakier and shakier. With the truth becoming more and more obscure, sometimes there can even be an underlying pressure or temptation to conform to the world’s standards for the sake of “peace.” And in trying to have peace on the surface we compromise true internal and mental peace. Sometimes to get to the truth, we have to disrupt the peace, but one thing is certain and completely unchanging; Jesus is truth. His message is reality. His life is the standard by which all others should be measured, rather than culture’s voice. As Paul teaches us in Corinthians; winning the wars waged in our hearts and minds begins with combating all lies of the enemy with God’s word, the truth, at any and all costs.

Peace if possible, truth at all costs. - Martin Luther

1. Reality Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is when our thoughts, beliefs, and values are in conflict with each other, meaning we believe one way but act another. As God calls us into a deeper relationship with him we realize that even when we are doing the right thing if we are not doing the thing God has asked of us we experience dissonance. Jesus came to reveal the truth to the world. He is the cornerstone and foundation upon which everything else is built. When our thoughts, beliefs, and values don’t align with him, we are living a lie. Acting according to our beliefs is futile if our beliefs aren’t based in his reality.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” John 18:37 NIV

2. Freedom in Truth

We can easily get into the habit of complicating the truth, but the word of God spells out the truth clearly for us. We have a responsibility as Christians to not only know that there is truth but to be aware of what truth actually is and live it out. In Ephesians the apostle Paul details for us how we get ready to battle in the “ reality war” we are all a part of, our defense mechanism starts with truth and ends with truth, the word of God.  When we know the truth, believe the truth, and live the truth there is freedom.

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” John 8:32

Caring for our mental health might often seem like a complex and time-consuming responsibility. Thankfully, the whole story of scripture shows us that just one, simple starting point holds the power to transform so many of our mental struggles: Start by knowing God’s truth. God’s truth is what keeps our lives in alignment with reality, the perfect ways that God intends for us to think, believe, and act. This truth is knowable and accessible because Jesus has come and perfectly revealed God’s truth to us. Plus, Jesus has given us God’s Spirit to guide us into all truth! When our lives correspond to the reality of God’s truth, we can be free from the Devil’s lies and unhelpful falsehoods that rob our peace of mind. As we deepen our knowledge of truth through a relationship with Jesus, we find abundant life and satisfaction for our longings. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the real hope for our best mental health.