Have you ever struggled with anxiety or depression and felt like no one truly understood what you were experiencing? No matter how hard you tried to explain the scenario, they looked at you like you had twelve heads. I know the feeling.
Fourteen years ago, I sat in my high school English class writing a paper about who I was and who I wanted to become. Everyone around me thought I had it all together—good grades, strong faith, and a busy schedule. But inside, I felt lost and confused.
Despite living in a “Christian home,” my world was far from safe. I was ten when someone I loved dearly threatened to kill me. My home was filled with anger, violence, and substance abuse—all from close family members. I felt trapped.
To cope, I developed a dangerous relationship with food and an addiction to exercise. I thought that controlling my body was the answer. It wasn’t.
At the time, I didn’t realize how abnormal my situation was. I was told to pray more and be grateful because others had it worse, but that didn’t ease my pain. It invalidated it.
Sadly, many of you might relate to this. You might not have grown up in a dangerous home, but 1 in 3 (33%) of you struggle with worry, fear, sadness, scattered thoughts, unhealthy diet, or self-harm. Most of you feel so ashamed or confused and hide how you really feel. When someone asks how you’re doing, it’s easier to say, “I’m fine” than to share the truth. Can you relate?
As a former English teacher, I want you to try a simple activity. If any of the following statements resonate with you, simply acknowledge them and nod your head as you read. Here are the statements:
1. "I know someone who has struggled with anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder."
2. "I know someone who has attempted or died by suicide."
3. "I have struggled with anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, or any other mental health issue."
4. "I’ve felt ashamed or embarrassed about my mental health issues."
5. "I told someone about my struggles and felt judged."
While I couldn't physically see you nodding, I assume that most of you nodded your head to nearly all of these questions. Mental health struggles aren't new to society, and Christians aren't immune from their presence in our lives. But it's powerful to know you’re not alone in this.
Friend, it’s okay to feel your feelings and reach out for support. There’s no shame in seeking help and being honest about your struggles. And though it might seem daunting, I’m here to guide you through it.
If I could turn back the clock, there are 3 things I wish someone would’ve told me about mental health when I was growing up, three truths everyone should know:
I used to believe that because I was a Christian, I wouldn’t struggle. John 16:33 assures us otherwise. In this world, we will have trouble—that includes physical and mental health challenges. But Jesus has overcome the world.
If you believe in Jesus, the power of His Spirit lives in you. Jesus experienced everything we face, and He left us His Spirit to comfort us. In John 16:7, a few verses before Jesus’ declaration that we will encounter trouble, John reminds us of this: “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you” (NLT).
Beyond His Spirit, Jesus gives us other human beings who can support us through our struggles. Someone who can sit across from us, look us in the eyes, and say “Me too.” We were created for connection, and it’s vital to remember that mental health struggles can affect anyone. Galatians 6:2 says it this way: “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (ESV).
One helpful coping skill for anxiety is deep breathing. It might feel challenging, but focusing on your breath can keep you grounded.
When you’re feeling uneasy, try using a 4-4-8 breath prayer. Here’s how it works:
1. Inhale deeply through your nose for four seconds while reading the first part of a Scripture: “When anxiety was great within me” (Psalm 94:19).
2. Hold that breath for four seconds in your mouth.
3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for eight seconds while reading the second part of a Scripture: “Your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19 NIV).
This technique calms your mind and reminds you of God’s presence. If you have someone with you when you’re anxious, they can also help by counting or gently tapping your arm.
Mental health issues are normal and nothing to be ashamed of. But if Satan convinces you you're the only one struggling, you've already lost the war. Hiding our struggles only allows them to grow. One of the best ways to prevent this is by being honest about our struggles. This leads me to the second thing I wish someone would’ve told me:
Paul's Example:
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, Paul wrestled with a thorn in the flesh. While we don’t know if this was a mental or physical struggle, we do know it was not something easily prayed away. In fact, after Paul prayed three times, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (NIV).
Accepting weakness can be tough. But Paul responds: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Paul teaches us it’s okay to be weak, admit we’re not okay, and seek the help we need.
Jesus' Example:
In Matthew 26:38, Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples. He’s already prophesied His death but is “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (NIV). This verse highlights the anguish Jesus felt before His crucifixion.
Though He was God, He was also human. He knew pain, sorrow, and anxiety greater than we ever would. Why else would He cry out “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (v. 39) one verse later? Remember, Jesus also prayed three times.
This moment reveals Jesus’ vulnerability. He chose to suffer because He submitted everything to God, even when it was hard. This highlights the struggle between His human feelings and divine calling. Jesus experienced human weakness and reached out for support when He needed it. We can learn from this that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and ask for help, just like He did.
In times like these, I encourage journaling as a way to communicate openly and honestly with God. It’s a prayer that helps us process and understand.
Once we understand that feeling anxious is just a part of humanity and asking for help is a sign of strength, we can journey toward a healthier mindset.
The third thing I wish someone would’ve told me when I was growing up is:
After college, I was diagnosed with 10+ conditions. I went from being healthy and active to weak and sick. It was my best friend who convinced me to seek counseling. I learned that I could love Jesus and still get help for anxiety and depression.
When I first started therapy, I asked my counselor how long it would take. He said, “As long as it takes.” Six years later, I’m still in therapy, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s not only helped me cope better but be open to things like medication. It’s also taught me that while faith and my relationship with Jesus are of the utmost importance, it's also okay to seek professional help. God provides us with tools like medication, therapy, and doctors for a reason. Why?
Faith isn’t just about praying away problems but taking practical action steps. Sometimes that faith includes using the tools here on earth He’s blessed us with. And Jesus wants you to care for your mental well-being just as much as the physical.
If someone had cancer, we wouldn’t tell them to just pray or trust God enough to heal them. We would tell them to seek chemotherapy and believe in God’s healing. Why are mental health issues any different? Healing takes time. We must remember that God can heal, but who’s to say He can’t use mud, spit, figs, and leaves (AKA medication, therapy, doctors, and coping skills), too? Supporting our health means acknowledging that healing can require spiritual support and professional help.
If you want to stand for mental health, you could also be a mental health ally. You can check in on those who might be struggling by sending a simple text like “How are you really doing?”
You listen without judgment and encourage those who need professional help. Gently suggest resources like school counselors or therapists if a friend seems overwhelmed, for example, and normalize seeking help by sharing your own experiences. Of course, if you think a friend might be in crisis, it’s essential to talk to a trusted adult or call 9-8-8.
Being a mental health ally isn’t easy. It might lead to tough conversations. But saving a life is worth any temporary upset. Your courage to speak up could be the lifeline someone desperately needs.
Many of us have faced worry, sadness, or self-harm. Christians aren’t exempt from these struggles, and I want you to know I see you, hear you, and care. But having anxiety doesn’t mean you lack faith; it means you’re human. Faith includes caring for your whole self, including your headspace, and it's about supporting one another with honesty and kindness. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness but immense and powerful strength.
As we navigate our faith journeys, let’s remember that healing is just that—a journey. It’s not a quick fix, and it's okay to take it one step at a time.
Your Challenge
This week, I encourage you to ponder one way you can implement one of the practices I mentioned: Deep breathing, journaling, or being a mental health ally. As you consider how to take action, remember Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others” (ESV).
With Christ’s power, we can create a community that supports each other and stands for truth.
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