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Adwoa · 22-25, F
@Pinkstarburst what do you mean by lack of understanding ?
@Adwoa If you rely on pastors, they will sometimes not understand the deeper constructs of the issues one has. Delving into scripture or praying it away isn’t always the answer. A devout Christian going to a therapist may have a difficult time understanding this concept as well. Mental health therapy is a bit like walking a tightrope for some.
For example. I battle mental illness and as I share my battle with two former pastors, they told me it was okay to be sad sometimes but I cannot live in the sadness. I had to focus on God. They made me feel like a failure and that I was a disappointment because I couldn’t just be happy and trust in God. When I found a therapist, she had to work very hard to make me understand that my brain chemistry had nothing to do with my faith.
That’s just my experience. I know others have very positive faith-based therapy.
For example. I battle mental illness and as I share my battle with two former pastors, they told me it was okay to be sad sometimes but I cannot live in the sadness. I had to focus on God. They made me feel like a failure and that I was a disappointment because I couldn’t just be happy and trust in God. When I found a therapist, she had to work very hard to make me understand that my brain chemistry had nothing to do with my faith.
That’s just my experience. I know others have very positive faith-based therapy.
Adwoa · 22-25, F
@Pinkstarburst thank you for sharing this and for opening up about your mental health struggles. I too have battles with it and is what led me to ask me to ask this question. I have opened up to certain Christian’s help lines and I got a similar response to you and it seems sometimes quite dismissive even though I know their intention wasn’t that. I have also done counseling in relation to anxiety and it has helped but with other topics not so much so there is this tug of war between counseling and the church. Very conflicting at times
@Adwoa I’m sorry you have this battle as well. After many years and a lot of work, I’ve learned and know the truth that God isn’t punishing me and I am not letting Him down in some way. I have also learned that my faith is between God and myself. A church does not define my worthiness of His love and acceptance.
To be honest, I had to separate my mental health from religion (or rather those surrounding me) in order to truly fight my mental health battle.
To be honest, I had to separate my mental health from religion (or rather those surrounding me) in order to truly fight my mental health battle.