Your friends, family, and loved ones already know. They see it on your face every day, and hear it in your voice when you speak. The mental health struggle, once a moment, has settled into a season, and you’re not sure how to get out.
You pray. You read Scripture. You believe in a God who heals all things according to His will. You seek wise counsel. You go to small group. You ask for prayer, maybe not so specific. You go to Worship.
You still struggle.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NASB)
One of the worst tragedies of depression, anxiety, or any mental health situation is you feel you struggle alone. But, don’t believe this lie.
God cares for you, and with Him as your Savior and protector, you are never alone. He also uses all things for His good according to His will (Romans 8:28). Sometimes the chemical imbalance of your body inhibits your personal ability to weather the mental health storm of a season. It is this exact moment where a decision has to be made for you or by you to accept all means of God’s given methods of treatment. Here a few things to consider when everything you have tried isn’t enough.
Seek wise counsel
It’s not a question of whether an unbeliever can be wise; it’s about seeking someone with similar values when addressing an issue. The person with whom you seek wise counsel should be the one who also shares the most important relationship in your life, Jesus. It’s not that we can’t glean information from those not following the Lord, but ultimately it’s from those who hold the same value system as you that wise counsel should be sought.
You’re not a failure for needing medication
God can absolutely use anything for His glory. The only caution is, do not medicate what you can handle, only what is no longer in your control. Just as when alcohol is addressed in Scripture, not losing control is the key. Set your pride aside and let godly wisdom and counsel decide if mental health needs should be addressed with medication.
Just a season, not a lifestyle
Maybe your mental health struggle is bigger than a season. For many it is a time where emotions spiral out of control, and it’s difficult to regain stability. When seeking help, consider it a mental health season where God uses those in your life and the resources of our current age to help.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak…
1 James 1:19 (ESV)
For those not struggling with something mentioned here, be quick to hear and slow to speak. Sometimes our words do more damage than good when conversing with a struggling person. God can do anything. He may choose to use anything in any situation to achieve His will. For singles don’t let the lie of loneliness and incompleteness drive your situation to even greater depths. You are never alone in Christ and complete in Him alone.
The question isn’t if praying, reading, and believing is enough. The question is, will you let God use those means to help you in your mental health.
