There was a dark season in my life when I struggled with anxiety, depression, and despair even though I was a believer and going to church. No matter how much I prayed for Jesus to help me feel better, I couldn’t seem to get a handle on my anxiety and negative thoughts. Well-meaning Christians told me to pray more and believe harder, but they couldn’t and didn’t take the time to understand that I couldn’t just snap out of it.
Realities of Mental Conditions
In my frustration and confusion, I talked with my doctor, and he ran several blood tests. The results were conclusive. I was in a state of depression brought on by the trauma I had experienced, which changed the chemicals in my brain. It didn’t matter how much I prayed, believed, or tried to snap out of it; my body was fighting against me.
Many Christians and churches have not taken the time to acknowledge or understand mental illness, whether it be anxiety, depression for a season, because of chemical imbalances, or other challenging conditions of the mind. If a person has never experienced the confusion, frustration, and helplessness of their mind going dark, they have no way to understand a person challenged with a mental condition.
Unfortunately, too many Christians are eager to hand out suggestions that shame, guilt, and mislead struggling believers into thinking they are not true believers or have enough faith to find healing. Without understanding where the person is coming and the facts, giving suggestions may cause more harm than good.
How to Help and Support Believers
What can we do as disciples of Christ when we come across people struggling in their life? Jesus tells us to love others as he loved us. Therefore, we must follow the mindset, attitude, words, and actions of Jesus Christ. Jesus meant everyone where they were without asking why, assuming they did something wrong or condemning them for not living triumphantly, always being happy, and never getting discouraged. If Jesus didn’t treat people disrespectfully, why are believers mistreating other struggling believers?
There are many things that a believer struggling with mental conditions can do to keep focused on God and work with Jesus every day to renew their minds. During my darkest times, I relied on these Scriptures to battle against the negative thoughts the enemy continually brought into my mind.
And do not be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and the perfect, will of God.” (Rom. 12:2, NIV)
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” (2 Cor. 10:3-6, NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8, NIV)
I worked with my doctor, took medication, and saw a counselor regularly. I worked with Jesus, studied Scripture, and prayed. God also brought several women into my life who loved and encouraged me without judgment or suggestions.
I praise God that after six years, my chemical imbalance was healed, and I no longer needed medication. However, even if I still needed medication to balance my mind and emotions, I would take it because I am responsible for taking the best care of God’s temple, which is my body.
Let’s Love All of God’s Children Like Jesus
God made each of us unique. There may be circumstances in our lives we have no control over. We may make some unhealthy choices and face hard consequences that wound us deeply in our hearts, mind, and emotions. Some of these scars run so deep that they alter the chemistry of our bodies. Needing any medication, whether for diabetes, high blood pressure, or depression, and taking it is being responsible.
As the body of Christ, it’s time that we love people where they are and ask them what we can do to help them instead of telling them what is wrong. It’s time we stop telling them what to do to be healed or pass judgment on them because they are struggling with some condition or addiction. It’s time that we meet them in Christ’s love, hold them up when they are weak, and stand beside them with support and encouragement.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” (Phil. 2:5, NIV)
