1. Are you a therapist?
2. Is it really possible to love Jesus and still be unsure?
First, I want to make it clear that I am not a therapist or a counselor. I have been trained in Master Christian Mental Health Coaching and have spent thousands of hours studying conditions such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and PTSD. But most of the time, I talk about my house from experience, from within my own broken place and myself. why? Because I want my readers to feel that people are in the place they are seeing and listening.
One day, God may call me a counselor or a therapist. I have the highest respect for them and I respect what they do. If God leads me that way, I am open to that career. But for now I know that I don’t need any credentials to talk about questions that include faith and mental health. Yes, you don’t need the credentials to love Jesus and say it’s still possible to be unsure.
According to the University of California, one in three young adults suffers from anxiety, but less than 20% are seeking or finding help in churches because they are aware of their judgment. why? Many Christians feel guilty for being uneasy, thinking it reflects weak faith. I need to wonder: what about you?
Misunderstanding: Anxiety as a failure in faith
I hope that it is not true, but sometimes Christians can become the most cruel people when it comes to anxiety that intersects with our faith. Common misconceptions spread like the truth of the gospel, and before we know it, we believe that it sounds sacred but is not found anywhere in the Bible. This includes beliefs such as:
– Anxiety is a sin.
-If you trust God more, you won’t be worried.
– The mental health struggle is a lack of faith.
– Read more of your Bible, and you will not have any trouble.
Have you believed any of these lies? Are you misunderstood? If so, you are not alone. Sadly, church culture sometimes unintentionally reinforces shame. Rather than a comprehensive and relational understanding of anxiety in real life, they misuse the Bible, such as Philippians 4:6. So, what should we do? Let’s see what Jesus and the Bible really say about these human struggles.
Understand your anxiety overall
First and foremost, anxiety is a biological, psychological, and mental issue. It’s human emotions and a response to stressful situations, but it can also lead to overdrive when faced with a traumatic situation. This is a clear difference between anxiety as an emotional state and anxiety as a disorder.
Mayo Clinic thus defines the difference in our anxiety. “Experiences of anxiety is a normal part of life, but people with anxiety disorders often have severe, excessive, persistent worries and fear about everyday situations.
But friend, anxiety itself is not sinful in itself. Even Jesus faced anxiety when he sweated a drop of blood the night before he was crucified on the cross (Luke 22:43-44). “There are many reasons for anxiety, and multiple reasons are always working at once. Every human behavior has multiple causes. Therefore, it is not true to say that anxiety is a sin.”
A hard-working Bible character
In the Bible, many Biblical characters (beyond Jesus) suffered from mental health.
– Elijah faced immeasurable burnout and fear (1 King 19).
-david became more anxious and despaired than famous people (poem sal).
– When God called him to do something vigorously holy to him, Moss fled (Exodus 2:11-15).
But on every account, these numbers tell us one thing. We may run away, feel embarrassed and try to hide. And if we remain mentally fixed, hope is still possible when faith and spiritual struggle coexist.
The meaning of being fixed
What does it mean to be mentally “fixed”? Hebrews 6:19-20 defines it in this way. “We have this hope as a soul, a solid, safe and secure anchor, that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtains that our pioneer Jesus has entered for us.
Spiritually fixed means that even in our insecurities we can rest knowing that God is with us, and he does not ashamed of us for our struggle. In reality, this means learning to hold hope even in unsettling seasons. How do you do this?
– When you are feeling anxious, do your breathing and breathing work. Choose your favorite Bible and recite it on yourself no matter what you feel.
– Journaling of “truth”. Take your time to sort out the truth from the lies. Don’t be afraid to write down how you feel. Then, list the biblical poems and truths across from those feelings to counter them.
– Don’t be shy and seek treatment. I know this is countercultural in our society, but treatment is useful for everyone. It personally changed my life and I know that if you give it a chance I can have the power to change your power. Filter through the amazing Bible therapist at PsychologyToday.com
– Don’t do this alone. We seek support from a healthy community. Share your struggle with your Lord and your trusty family and friends.
Permission to be both
Friends, I want to let you know that you can be pinned with concern and that is fine. Jesus does not ashamed of you, but no matter how hard you struggle, He will be with you.
If you are struggling with mental and physical health issues today, I want you to know this: don’t give up on healing or faith, but know that you are not a wrestling failure. There is a coexistence of mental health struggle and faith, but they don’t make us less. They make us human.
I have permission to do both. To rest in the comfort of his love, rather than feeling unwell with guilt or struggle. His presence. His providence in anxiety. His arms were wrapped around you, even though you were still worried.
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, the misconception that anxiety is a sin can be very harmful and harmful. As Christians, we need to do better with people struggling in the church. Instead of accusation, share your love and truth with those who are hurt the most. Wherever we are, you are not mad at all, but let’s sigh of a relief knowing that you are with us.
Try to understand rather than judge. Before we can speak immediately, let’s look at you, not to what others are saying, what you are saying. Instead, as James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, beware of this. Everyone should listen quickly, slowly, and be angry” (NIV). We praise and thank the Lord for your grace, love, kindness and mercy. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©GetTyimages/PeopleImages
Amber Ginter is the author who turned to teachers who love Jesus, her husband Ben and granola. Amber’s growth was searching for faith and mental health resources, but found nothing. Today, she not only read your Bible and prays more, but also offers hope to young Christians suffering from mental illness. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. Download her best faith and mental health resources for free and help you navigate books, podcasts, videos and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.
