Last week I had a conversation with a colleague I mentor. My colleague is a young person who grew up in a Christian home. My friend struggles with depression/anxiety but is hesitant about seeking help because of the stigma such issues can have in some churches such as the one my friend grew up in.
It saddens me to think that some churches place a stigma on mental health issues like depression and anxiety. If someone has diabetes, we would encourage them to take insulin and be careful about what they eat. The brain is part of our physical bodies. It is a physical organ just as the heart, lungs, and pancreas are.
That is why I share about how God helped me with depression and anxiety. I live with four chronic illnesses and each of them can cause depression/anxiety on their own. Put all four together, and no wonder depression and anxiety were issues for me. My hope is to lessen the stigma in churches.
My hope is to also share Jesus with others who struggle with depression/anxiety. When I think about things Jesus said such as in Matthew 11:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
and what is written about how Jesus felt when he saw the large crowd of people in Matthew 9:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Such verse help me realize that Jesus has great compassion for us. Such verses also help us to understand how approachable Jesus is when we struggle. His desire is to help us, restore us, and heal us. Yes, he does these things through others such as doctors and counselors too.
Dear reader if you struggle with depression or anxiety, Jesus understands you, His arms are open saying, “Come to me and find rest” just as he said in Matthew 11. We can cast all of our concerns on him because he cares for us.
It is okay to ask for help.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
Yes. His arms are wide open to us. And in Him we find rest. Grateful for the rest we have in Him from our struggles. 😊
I am grateful too
So grateful that Jesus cares.
He loves you
Thank you for pointing out what ought to be obvious. Illness is illness, whether it be of body or mind. The stigma surrounding mental health issues—particularly in the church—must stop. A person with a broken Tibia 🦴 wouldn’t be told to , “just get over it.” Someone who is broken down by anxiety or depression shouldn’t be either. Good stuff, Matt! Blessings.
Thank you
Such an important truth and great verses to go to for comfort!!
Thank you little sister
Thank you, because so often people try to say you need more faith, when what you need is a doctor. I explain to people that I see good doctors as gifts from God to me. This needed saying.
God works through doctors and nurses
These are definitely real discussions we truly do need to have in our churches. Sooner rather than later, too many are suffering, when there is hope
Agreed. With Jesus there is always hope 🤗
Depression and anxiety is a major problem for many. Because of the stigma in the church and out of the church many hide their struggle and go untreated. This even occurs in many homes. Emotional and mental wellness is just as important as physical wellness, it all needs medical and/or psychological attention.
Thanks for sharing.😊👣
We as a church need to do better at being supportive
I agree! But the church is not knowledgeable about depression and anxiety.
I became aware of the severity of depression and anxiety while in therapy sessions with our grandson. These two enemies keep many individuals in bondage. We need a lot of prayer for our brothers and Sisters suffering with these emotional illnesses.
The power of a praying grandmother 🙂
Yes, prayer is dynamic. It opens the portals to heaven. That’s why we need to fervently pray for one another.🥰👣
I am glad he has you by his side 🙂
Thank you. He is 9 and we have custody of him. Pleade keep him in prayer. 🥰👣
🙂
prayed for him
Thank you so much! He and just prayed together. He is reading the book the pray of Jabez for kids.😊👣
Thank you, Matt. When the darkness of depression strikes, it is very difficult to reach out, even to God sometimes, especially when His followers won’t give us the time of day. I know it is ignorance which makes others nervous of dealing with the pain in their fellows… maybe more churches need to even teach about the importance of being there for those who are struggling mentally and emotionally?
Yes churches need to take the lead. Paul wrote that we should bear one another’s burdens
Hi Paul. Thank you for and I hope you don’t mind me sharing this!
Yes share
My name is Matt 🤗