While anxiety disorders are one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America notes that a significant amount of people don’t receive assistance for managing it. While there are many possible reasons for this, I know it can be due to unique factors for the Christian community.
Many believers are left to suffer alone, or worse, feel condemned by the community of believers around them. While I won’t dive into the theological perspectives and how some continue to cast judgment on those who suffer or seek professional treatment, I will refer to one of my favorite passages of the Bible for confirming the role of counselors, both professional, biblical, pastoral, and lay counselors, in the lives of The Church.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
God calls us as a church to serve one another throughout the Bible. I’ve mentioned this in previous blogs but will reiterate. We work with financial advisors to prepare for our future, tax preparers to ensure accuracy in our records, mechanics to work on our cars, and so on. In the same way, we can work with mental health professionals whose calling and training is to equip the church to navigate the burden of anxiety, depression, and more with biblical and research-based understanding.
While we see many verses in the Bible encouraging us to be strong, courageous, and “anxious for nothing,” we still fall short and miss the mark in this area. That is paired with living in broken and imperfect bodies plagued with inflammation, metabolic disease, obesity, and the “SAD” (Standard American Diet). The brain is the central command center, and when the body is overrun with all that I just mentioned, there is a direct impact on it.
Not to go on too much with all the technical science, but ultimately the brain is a complex organ, and in it lies the key to what makes us human on earth. Our organs are managed by the brain and our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. We are, of course, also spiritual beings and are guided by the Holy Spirit towards sanctification. This is a long process that requires working in partnership with God and community with the body of believers.
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
1 Corinthians 12:26 ESV
Let us serve one another in the gifts He has given us.
While you are called to be “Anxious for Nothing” you can pray for Godly guidance in that area. Seeking the support of the Christian community is a decisive step in the right direction.
If you’d like to learn more about my FREE “Anxious for Nothing Webinar” you can do so by clicking here
