It really feels like we live in a world of mental slaughter, especially where faith and psychiatry are concerned. By mental slaughter, I mean, the judgement that falls upon Christians who would even dare to try medication. “You do not have enough faith.” they say. Or, “you probably have some sin in your life that you haven’t received forgiveness for.” Their words cut like a knife. And the product? Christians who feel as though their walk with God is worthless. They feel judged and they feel all alone. I don’t think it’s supposed to be this way.
Mental Illnesses are a real thing. It’s like being physically sick, but just in the mind. Although, those conditions do manifest in physical illness as well. Depression, anxiety, bipolar, ADHD, etc., are a real thing. They manifest in symptoms that can be seen. If we are to be physically sick, is the Christian supposed to reject all medication that can help them? No. So why is medication for mental health any different?
I get why people say that medication isn’t always the answer. I myself, am in the process of working with my doctor to get off the medication gradually. Truth be told, the medication does change a person. But never have I ever seen medication as a sin. A doctor once said: If you are going to force someone not to take the medication and they die, you can’t help them anymore. I completely agree with what he said. Christians who take their own lives is a sad but very true reality. And if other people are going to judge them for taking medication and they commit suicide, you can’t help them anymore.
Let’s look at faith for a bit. Faith was never meant to empower the Christian. Faith in its actual sense, is faith in the One that can do the impossible. Matthew 17:20 says: So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Faith was never about the amount, even though I actually thought it was. For if we have faith as a mustard seed… So, in response to those who say: you don’t have enough faith, tell me, how much is enough. Can faith actually be measured? Jesus wasn’t talking here about actual measurements of faith. He was comparing it to a mustard seed so people would know and understand. Jesus often used a vocabulary that people of that day could understand.
The intersection between faith and psychiatry is this: it’s not about A or B. It’s not about faith or medication. It’s about having a mature mentality to know that God is able to cure your mental health condition. In the same respect though, it’s not wrong to seek medical attention for something very serious as Mental Illness.
Does the medication cure it or does it go to the root of the problem? No, it doesn’t. But does it help to get you out of the deep dark pit so you may approach the problem with a clear mind? Yes, it does. It’s like helping someone who is drowning. You don’t yell at them for not having enough faith. You throw them a life line or you jump in after them to save them. That is exactly what the medication is for.
So, the million dollar question is: is it wrong for Christians to seek a Psychiatrist for medication. In my opinion, no it’s not. Christians may even have enough faith (which we can’t measure) and still take medication to help them along the way.
I pray that, if you’re the one feeling guilty for taking the medication: please don’t feel that way. If you’re the one who has been judging Christians for not having enough faith, please treat them with kindness. The world could use a bit of kindness right now. And if, for any reason, the Christian suffers due to some sin, please know that the Holy Spirit will convict them in a gentle way.
Let’s be kind to one another.
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