It's Okay to be a Faith-filled Christian and have a Therapist Too!

Stop worrying about what others will think! Even Elijah battled depression, and we didn't see God sending angels to preach at him to pray more fervently or condemn him. Instead, he sent an angel to comfort him while he rested!

I'm tired of hearing that if you see a therapist, you are 'mental' or have some 'serious issues.' Let me be clear here: I was once on the opposite spectrum of seeing therapy as an option. Heck, I even thought taking medication for emotional struggles made you a bad Christian.

*** I do want to preface. I am not a doctor or a licensed therapist. The opinions and thoughts I give in this blog are my own. If you feel that you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, please contact your primary doctor for an appointment! ***

Here, my goal is to bring clarity by removing the often-held stigma that Christians seeking counseling for emotional issues is somehow inconsistent with biblical faith. I want to set the record straight and let you know, my friend, that anxiety and depression do not mean you're a bad Christian. Your heavenly Father determines your worth. There will never be a need for fear, for your infinite value before God means that he loves you and monitors everything that happens in your life. (Matthew 10:31)

Your past does not predict your future. Christ's blood has purchased your freedom. He was your substitute on the cross, and his sacrifice brought about the forgiveness of your sins – You are redeemed! (Ephesians 1:7)

You are not broken beyond repair! God, not the world, has already determined your purpose. He has a plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11)

This month is Mental Health Awareness Month. As someone who suffers from the effects of anxiety and depression, I have been somewhat vocal about it, but not as much as I feel called to be today. I've lived at an ungodly pace for decades, and it finally caught up with me in 2020! Not because of the pandemic but because I had a serious life change when I retired from my corporate job.

My life spiraled into a hazy mess, and my poor husband did everything in his power to support me without really knowing what to do. My children would hug me and make me cards. However, it was challenging for me to break the vicious cycle I found myself in. My situation was extremely scary, and I felt like I was battling my mind every minute of every day. I felt like I was worthless as a person, a mom, a wife, and a poor excuse for a Christian. Overall, I know that mental health is taboo in most church sectors. Still, I absolutely love my home church because they embrace the topic and provide logical and biblical steps for anyone who approaches them with concerns.

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Here are 6 steps I've used to combat anxiety and depression:

1. It's okay not to be okay! We need to stop believing the misinformation we've been told about mental health issues. Instead, we need to be open and honest about our struggles.

2. Recognize that you deserve to get help. Feeling ashamed about receiving support from a therapist or having to take medication has been a byproduct of mental health stigma. Don't deny yourself the options that God is providing to help you.

3. Grab a journal and practice gratitude! I have discovered how the minuscule things in my day, those things we often overlook, have brought me joy through journaling. It took effort and consistency, and in the beginning, building those habits was extremely hard for me. However, once I developed the discipline of journaling, my thoughts and emotions slowly started to change throughout my days

4. Let go of the idea of perfectionism. As a type-A personality, an Enneagram 1w9, I am a full-blown perfectionist! On the one hand, being a type-A has been helpful; it has its strengths. But, on the other hand, it has also caused me a lot, and I mean A LOT! of anxiety. The angst would be so bad that it would spiral out of control and throw me into a deep, dark depression. But it's okay not to be perfect because, let's face it; no one likes a perfect Patty!

5. Ask for help but also know when to set your boundaries! Okay, Okay! I know what you're thinking, "Paula-Sue, how can I set boundaries and still ask for help? Don't you hate asking for help?' "Well, my friend, you are exactly right! I am not the first person to ask for help. However, what I've found to be true about my experience with anxiety and depression is that asking for help allows others close to me to see the real me. As a result, I can feel some relief from my anxious thoughts. Again this step took time; it was a conscious effort, but you can do it, friend!

6. Always root yourself in God's word. When I look back at the days and months when my depression or anxiety skyrocketed, I can almost guarantee that 100% of those days started without God. I had skipped my morning journaling or devotion, and I'd tell myself I'd do it later, but I was in a pit by the end of the day. So instead of skipping your morning devotional, be intentional about spending time with your heavenly Father. Find 15-20 minutes each morning to meet with him and pray. When we open up our hearts in those quiet moments of prayer, he speaks to us.

Like Elijah in the Bible, our mental health can be rocked when we experience moments of hopelessness and loneliness. Elijah felt like he had pushed through so many obstacles, yet he was the lone ranger when it came down to it. What I love about his story, which took me weeks to understand fully, was that even when Elijah was in his deep, dark pit, God didn't chastise him or rebuke him. Instead, God did what only the most loving father, our heavenly Father would do. He sent an angel to help Elijah while he rested.

So friend, when you feel like the lone ranger or just in a pit of despair, look to God. He is your refuge and strength and is always ready to help you in times of trouble!

Rest!
Rest in Him!