Does Mental Illness Indicate a Lack of Faith?
Throughout history, the stigma of mental illness has made it difficult for people in all walks of life to seek help. Even faith communities have looked down upon congregants with mental illnesses, often equating the condition with a lack of faith.
But that isn’t biblical, and Dr. Joy Kwakuyi at Faith Integrated Psychiatry in Tucson, Arizona, is here to dispel the common myths about mental illness and faith.
What is mental illness?
Mental illness is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, addiction, eating disorders, and schizophrenia, to name a few. Although each has unique symptoms, they all affect your mood, thought process, and behavior.
Dr. Kwakuyi approaches mental illness with a firm foundation in Christian faith and a solid background in psychiatric health care, knowing that faith and science are not at odds, but rather, complementary concepts created by God.
Myths about Christians with mental illness
In his many years of experience, Dr. Kwakuyi has encountered many Christians who have been told their mental illness is a sign that they lack faith, which is not only untrue, it also often exacerbates the condition by increasing guilt, stress, and anxiety. Here are some of the most common myths he hears from patients, clergy, and healthcare professionals alike.
Mental illness is demon possession
The Bible speaks of demon possession often. One example can be found in Mark 5:4-5 where Jesus encountered a man who had been possessed by a legion of demons for many years. There are also instances where Scripture refers to people being “out of their mind,” indicating mental illness rather than demon possession. Even Jesus’ disciples thought He may have “lost His senses” in Mark 3:20.
From Scripture, we see that demon possession and mental illness may have similar symptoms, but that doesn’t make them the same problem. Evil exists, and spiritual warfare is real, but demon possession is rare and not the same thing as mental illness.
Mental illness is a sin
Many of our patients have been falsely told that depression means they lack joy, and therefore lack faith. But the Bible doesn’t teach that. Christian joy isn’t happiness; it’s a fruit of the Holy Spirit that manifests when we focus on who God is.
You can have true Christian joy and still experience depression. Some of the most faithful people in the Bible experienced bouts of depression: Job wished he hadn’t been born, David prayed that God would remove him from Earth and allow him to escape reality, and Elijah asked God to take his life.
Even Jesus said, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with me” (Matthew 26:36-38).
Depression and other forms of mental illness are not punishments for sin, but they are consequences of living in a fallen world, and they can happen to anybody.
Christians with mental illness only need spiritual guidance
People with all types of illnesses — physical and mental — need prayer and spiritual support. But that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t seek professional health care, too.
If you suffer from a mental illness, the best approach is to seek both spiritual and medical help. James 2:15-16 illustrates this well: “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
Help for Christians with mental illness
Suffering from a mental illness doesn’t mean you lack faith, but it does mean you need help. Here are three things you can do as a Christian:
1. Pray
God draws near to those who draw near to Him (James 4:8).
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
2. Surround yourself with support
Christian and secular mental health practitioners agree that group therapy works. If you’re part of a faith community, connect with those who can pray with and for you and help guide you.
3. Seek professional, faith-based treatments
Dr. Kwakuyi offers Christian counseling, religious cognitive behavioral therapy, and evidence-based medications to help you manage your symptoms without compromising your faith.
If you’re a Christian struggling with a mental health issue, call us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kwakuyi, or book an appointment online. We’re here to help.
