What Jesus Said About Mental & Emotional Life (32 Teachings)

God notices even sparrows and knows the hairs of a person's head.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:29–31; Luke 12:6–7

King James Version

Matthew 10:29–31

²⁹Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
³⁰But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
³¹Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6–7

⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
⁷But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

God values people more than many sparrows.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:31; Luke 12:7

King James Version

Matthew 10:31

³¹Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7

⁷But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to him for rest.

Read the Scripture Matthew 11:28–30

King James Version

Matthew 11:28–30

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus gives peace unlike the world gives.

Read the Scripture John 14:27

King James Version

John 14:27

²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Those who mourn are blessed because they will be comforted.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:4

King James Version

Matthew 5:4

⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Do not be consumed by anxiety about ordinary needs.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:25–34; Luke 12:22–31

King James Version

Matthew 6:25–34

²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
²⁶Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
²⁷Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
²⁸And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
²⁹And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Luke 12:22–31

²²And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
²³The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
²⁴Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
²⁵And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
²⁶If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
²⁷Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
²⁸If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
²⁹And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
³⁰For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
³¹But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Do not borrow tomorrow's trouble.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:34

King James Version

Matthew 6:34

³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Pray persistently and do not lose heart.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:1–8

King James Version

Luke 18:1–8

¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Ask so that your joy may be full.

Read the Scripture John 16:24

King James Version

John 16:24

²⁴Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Those who follow Jesus should expect insecurity rather than guaranteed earthly comfort.

Read the Scripture Matthew 8:19–20; Luke 9:57–58

King James Version

Matthew 8:19–20

¹⁹And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
²⁰And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Luke 9:57–58

⁵⁷And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
⁵⁸And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Jesus intends his disciples to have his joy.

Read the Scripture John 15:11

King James Version

John 15:11

¹¹These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Do not let your heart be troubled; trust God and trust Jesus.

Read the Scripture John 14:1, 27

King James Version

John 14:1, 27

¹Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Do not let fear rule the heart; receive Jesus' peace.

Read the Scripture John 14:27

King James Version

John 14:27

²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Do not be anxious beforehand about what to say under persecution.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:19–20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11–12; 21:14–15

King James Version

Matthew 10:19–20

¹⁹But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
²⁰For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Mark 13:11

¹¹But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Luke 12:11–12

¹¹And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
¹²For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Luke 21:14–15

¹⁴Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
¹⁵For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Do not fear persecutors merely because they can kill the body.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:26–28; Luke 12:4–5

King James Version

Matthew 10:26–28

²⁶Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
²⁷What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
²⁸And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:4–5

⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Fear God, whose judgment reaches beyond physical death.

Read the Scripture Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:4–5

King James Version

Matthew 10:28

²⁸And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 12:4–5

⁴And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
⁵But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Jesus' calming of the storm rebukes fearful little faith and displays authority over creation.

Read the Scripture Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25

King James Version

Matthew 8:23–27

²³And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
²⁴And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
²⁵And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
²⁶And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
²⁷But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Mark 4:35–41

³⁵And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
³⁶And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
³⁷And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
³⁸And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
³⁹And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
⁴⁰And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
⁴¹And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Luke 8:22–25

²²Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
²³But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
²⁴And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
²⁵And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Jairus is told not to fear but to believe.

Read the Scripture Mark 5:36; Luke 8:50

King James Version

Mark 5:36

³⁶As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Luke 8:50

⁵⁰But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Wars and rumors of wars do not by themselves mean the end has arrived.

Read the Scripture Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9

King James Version

Matthew 24:6

⁶And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Mark 13:7

⁷And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

Luke 21:9

⁹But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Do not let dissipation, drunkenness, and life anxieties dull readiness.

Read the Scripture Luke 21:34–36

King James Version

Luke 21:34–36

³⁴And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
³⁵For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Gethsemane models honest lament joined to submission to the Father's will.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42; Luke 22:39–46

King James Version

Matthew 26:36–46

³⁶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
³⁷And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
³⁸Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
³⁹And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
⁴⁰And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
⁴¹Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
⁴²He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
⁴³And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
⁴⁴And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
⁴⁵Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
⁴⁶Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Mark 14:32–42

³²And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
³³And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
³⁴And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
³⁵And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
³⁶And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
³⁷And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
³⁸Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
³⁹And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
⁴⁰And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
⁴¹And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
⁴²Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Luke 22:39–46

³⁹And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
⁴¹And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
⁴²Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
⁴³And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
⁴⁴And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
⁴⁵And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
⁴⁶And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Textual note: Luke 22:43–44 is not found in some early manuscripts.

The risen Jesus offers peace to his disciples.

Read the Scripture Luke 24:36; John 20:19, 21, 26

King James Version

Luke 24:36

³⁶And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

John 20:19, 21, 26

¹⁹Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
²¹Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
²⁶And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch people.

Read the Scripture Luke 5:10

King James Version

Luke 5:10

¹⁰And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Take courage; do not be afraid when Jesus approaches in the storm.

Read the Scripture Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50; John 6:20

King James Version

Matthew 14:27

²⁷But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Mark 6:50

⁵⁰For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

John 6:20

²⁰But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

The risen Jesus told the women not to be afraid, and to tell his brethren to meet him in Galilee.

Read the Scripture Matthew 28:10

King James Version

Matthew 28:10

¹⁰Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Rest for a while after demanding ministry.

Read the Scripture Mark 6:31

King James Version

Mark 6:31

³¹And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.

Jesus' return to the Father should produce joy among those who love him.

Read the Scripture John 14:28

King James Version

John 14:28

²⁸Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

The disciples' sorrow will turn to joy like labor pains giving way to birth.

Read the Scripture John 16:20–22

King James Version

John 16:20–22

²⁰Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
²¹A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
²²And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

No one can ultimately take away the resurrection joy Jesus gives.

Read the Scripture John 16:22

King James Version

John 16:22

²²And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Peace is found in Jesus amid tribulation.

Read the Scripture John 16:33

King James Version

John 16:33

³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jesus loves friends deeply and weeps at Lazarus's tomb.

Read the Scripture John 11:33–36

King James Version

John 11:33–36

³³When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
³⁴And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
³⁵Jesus wept.
³⁶Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Jesus desires his followers' joy.

Read the Scripture John 15:11; 16:22–24

King James Version

John 15:11

¹¹These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

John 16:22–24

²²And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
²³And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
²⁴Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

How can Jesus help?

What Jesus said about Mental & Emotional Life

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How can Jesus help?

What Jesus said about Mental & Emotional Life

A Guide for Real Life