Unfortunately, when it comes to mental illness, Christians are often given an invalidating message.
“Have you prayed about it?”
“Give it to God.”
“God only gives you what you can handle.”
Though many of these “harmless” comments are made with good intentions, the reality is when your faith – something that for many folks is the most important part about them – is questioned or invalidated, it leaves a mark.
When someone with anxiety opens up about their struggles, most of the time they aren’t looking for your “solution”, “advice”, “religious platitudes”, etc. – they are often just looking for someone to ‘listen’ and ‘be there, for them.
It’s important to remember what may seem “harmless” to one person may actually be hurtful to another. No matter what anyone says, your feelings are valid, and you deserve support.
Here’s what some Christians needing help had to say.
- “Anxiety is a sin.” “I’ve been told my anxiety is sinful or an act of conscious disobedience that I can just, “turn off.” – Julia C.
- “Worrying is a sin. You think I’m choosing to be afraid? I’m not purposefully sinning. It’s mental illness .I recognize I’m suppose to cast all my anxieties on Him, but sometimes it’s just not that easy.” – Deserae M.
- “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.” “The Bible says that God doesn’t give you more than you can handle. You’re probably not praying hard enough, or you’ve let other things come between you and God. Or, you don’t trust God enough. Medication just shows you don’t trust God enough.” You don’t tell someone with a broken leg to just trust and walk it off, you take them to a doctor. So why should my ailment be any different?” – Rebecca H.
- “Give it to God.” “Give your worries to God.” I sure try. But they just keep coming. I recently asked my doctor for something to fight the anxiety (and it) is working wonderfully.” – Trisha S.
- “Have you prayed about it?” “I do all the time, (and it) doesn’t change a thing. People seem to automatically think because I a mental health issue, I am turning away from God in some way.” -Stephanie R.
- “You’re being punished for the sin of worrying.” “I heard from an acquaintance that really concerned me. It was the belief that those afflicted with anxiety were being punished for the sin of worrying. I don’t believe for a second that could be true. It was taught we are beautifully and wonderfully made. God doesn’t use our anxiety against us ever.” – Kierstyn P.
- “Your anxiety is spiritual warfare.” “I had a Christian therapist who told me it was just ‘spiritual warfare’ and I would never feel better until I was right with God. I started going to a non-Christian therapist who helped me find a diagnosis and helped me see a psychiatrist who helped me get medication that helped me clear out some of my anxiety and ultimately helped me in my spiritual walk.” Sarah W.
- “If Christ was really in your heart, you wouldn’t have anxiety.” “If you really have Christ in your heart, why do you still have anxiety?” They will never understand our struggles.” Cyrine P.
- “Anxiety is selfish.” “Anxiety is one of the most selfish things we can do. God told us we don’t have to worry and we still do it. It’s a mental illness and its not something I choose. I want to stop my anxiety. I ask God for help a lot. I’m not selfish.” – Stefani D.
- “Silence” “The most common thing I hear in the Christian community is silence. It’s never addressed, and those who suffer must do so in silence. Any physical ailment is prayed over and cared for, but as soon as you mention something being wrong with your mind, the help evaporates. It needs to be addressed. Pastors and church leaders need to understand how to care for those in their congregation that suffer from mental illness, and how they can be of help. Jesus loves those with mental illness, and the greatest comfort can come from Christ. But if no one knows how to find it, that comfort never comes.” – Sarah G.
In collaboration with Gateway to Hope (www.mentalhealthgateway.org/empower) in Houston, Texas and The Kingdom Partnership (www.thekingdompartnership.us) there is a 2-hour online course entitled “EMPOWER” to learn the basics of mental health, signs, and how to help those who are hurting. Empower is free!
Questions? Text/Call 402-297-6876
