Should Christians Suffer with Mental Health Problems?

Many in our generation suffer with mental health problems. But some have found a dead end when they've attempted to seek help from other Christians, which is arguably the place they should find the most support.

You've likely heard it before:

“As Christians, we shouldn’t struggle with those things!” 

“If you get sick, it’s because you didn’t have enough faith” 

“If you’re dealing with mental health issues, it’s because you have a demon” 

During my walk as a Christian, I've sometimes experienced a full-on rejection of my mental health struggles by other believers, which has been a trial for me, as it's here that I'd hoped to find the most support. I've known this to be the case not only for myself, but also for others I've heard this kind of feedback from.

It was this response which sadly led me to neglect my own mental wellbeing, and resulted in a worsening of my condition.

The way this would often play out; I would resort to pretending everything was fine, when it wasn't, which led me to feel emotionally exhausted from the fake act I was portraying, to make it seem like I was ok. But I wasn't.

Instead I had a breakdown and moments of crisis, because I wasn’t addressing a real and serious issue that was going on in my mind and life, so it got worse.

This then inevitably turned into sui**dal thoughts and feelings, as I bottled it all up and feared admitting the truth of my dilemma. 

I felt a scary sense of 'dissociation' and complete burn out - laying on my kitchen floor continually playing Christian prayer videos - in an attempt to seek relief.

I also began to watch videos by a Christian on Youtube which promised to “cast out the anxiety” of people that watched, in hopes that mine would leave me, which did not work.

I was being thrown to and fro by every wind of doctrine, desperate for the answers I couldn't find, and the help I so urgently needed.

Without proper direction and guidance, I was drawn towards false teachings, which claimed to provide the solution I needed.

What I needed to realise at the time is this.. you can go to church regularly, have fellowship with other believers, pray frequently throughout the day, read the Bible constantly, and still have anxiety, or depression, or any other health struggle.

You’re not a failing Christian if you suffer with a mental or physical health issue, but these are, unfortunately, some of the things that have come from the fall in Genesis - disease, weaknesses and ailments. Something I did find along this journey, however, was that physical disease is so often approached and treated differently than mental health related conditions.

Yet, both are equally biproducts of the world we live in.

One of the reasons I believe there's often a stigma attached to Christians who struggle mentally, is a misunderstanding of Isaiah 53:5.

Here is the verse:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
- Isaiah 53:5

This passage is not proposing guaranteed physical (or mental) healing in this world, in this body, like some in the New Apostolic Reformation or Word of Faith movement preach. It is primarily talking about a spiritual healing, for those who are born again, going from spiritual death to spiritual life (becoming a new creation in Christ, receiving the Holy Spirit, etc).

It isn’t promising, right now, that if you "have enough faith" you will be healed from all mental or physical diseases. 

This misinterpretation and false teaching has led many into bondage and even spiritual abuse by so-called "faith-healers". Although, we know that nothing is impossible for God, and He can heal in these ways, sometimes there is a greater purpose in suffering. And we simply cannot approach the Lord and demand or presume upon physical healing, as if it were a vending machine.

Here is the bottom line. If you are going through trials, you are not less of a Christian or lacking in faith. There have been many faithful Christians who have suffered in these ways, some of these examples are shown in the video above. It’s my prayer that more pastors, preachers and believers with influence over others, would seek to understand these issues and compassionately help those struggling in their walk with Christ, through their difficulties.

You can also be a Christian and seek medical help, take medication, be in therapy, though these are not the ultimate and final means of support, they shouldn't be written off and stigmatised.

..casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 
- ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬

I do feel we have to be careful with some of the influences in modern psychology, however, and avoid false new age philosophies which the world today has popularised and drifted toward. But believers, especially Christian leaders, should have some preparation in where to direct those who need help, both spiritually - through wise counsel, prayer, Biblical guidance, and, if necessary, medically.

Yet also to warn of the way the new age movement, Word of Faith and NAR, use these issues as a means to recruit and draw in vulnerable people to false teachings.

If we negatively approach mental health struggles, it may lead sufferers to seek help elsewhere, and be drawn into false doctrines or cults who exploit these issues and offer a false solution.

As a believer, shame and condemnation only make you feel 100 times worse. In the end, you can feel as though you shouldn’t be suffering as a believer in Jesus Christ, and, because you are, that you’re doing this “Christian walk” entirely wrong. 

Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. John 13:34 
- ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ (AMP)

Mental health is something which is so important to take care of, that, if you don’t, it will affect every area of your life.

This is particularly important in these times. It can be so easy for many of us to begin to neglect our physical and mental health, due to the increase of troubling world events which are happening at exponential speed.

Every Christian needs to know that looking after their mental health is just as essential as looking after their physical health.

Shame, judgement and condemnation are never appropriate burdens to pile on top of someone who is already carrying a heavy load.

If you resonate with this article, take heart, God is close to the broken-hearted and His grace alone is sufficient for us. Remember that everybody, and yes, that includes Christians, struggle in a myriad of ways. And sometimes that is in the mind.

And the struggle isn't necessarily because of a particular sin, or that God is mad with them, or because they didn’t ‘have enough faith’, it’s a symptom of living in a broken, imperfect world.

But the hope I keep in mind is this: despite the suffering we may face in this world, God promises to be with us through each and every trial. He is our strength and foundation.

And that, there is coming a Day when all our brokenness will cease, for those in Christ will receive a new glorified body, and all our tears will be wiped away.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 
- Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ 

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” 
- 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16

How do we approach this important issue in a balanced and Biblical way? Where have we failed? What could be improved? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. If you need urgent support, please seek medical advice from services in your local area.