You Can Have Jesus and a Therapist
Faith and Mental Illness: They Can Coexist
For too long, Christian communities have carried the weight of stigma when it comes to mental health. Some believe that if you have enough faith, you shouldn’t struggle with depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. Others whisper that seeking therapy or taking medication means you don’t trust God enough.
But here’s the truth (brace yourself): you can love Jesus and need a therapist. You can trust God and still take medication. Faith and mental illness are not enemies. Actually, they can coexist.
Scripture and Support
The Bible is full of people who wrestled with deep despair. Elijah begged God to take his life (1 Kings 19). David poured out his anguish in the Psalms. Even Jesus wept in Gethsemane, overwhelmed with sorrow (Matthew 26:38). These moments remind us that being human means carrying burdens and that God’s love meets us in our suffering.
Seeking professional help doesn’t weaken your faith; it strengthens it. Proverbs 11:14 reminds us: “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Therapy is one of the ways God provides guidance, wisdom, and healing.
Breaking the Silence
Normalizing therapy and medication in Christian spaces saves lives. When silence and shame surround mental illness, people suffer in isolation. But when the church acknowledges the reality of depression, trauma, and suicidal thoughts, hope can break through.
Imagine churches where…
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It’s as normal to pray for someone starting antidepressants as it is for someone having surgery.
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Testimonies of God’s faithfulness include stories of healing through therapy.
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No one is told to “just pray harder,” but instead reminded that God works through doctors, counselors, and medicine too.
Encouragement for the Journey
If you are struggling, know this: your pain does not make you less of a Christian. You are not alone. God sees you, loves you, and has equipped people to walk with you on this journey. Jesus is your Healer, and sometimes He works through the hands of a therapist or the wisdom of a doctor.
💛 During Suicide Awareness Month, may we be the church that chooses compassion over judgment, support over silence, and healing over shame.
If you are in crisis, please call or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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