Counsels on Self-Identity

Counsel #13 — Therapy

Picture: Counsel #13 — Therapy CI 171.1

Choosing to see a therapist for help when you feel like your life is broken is incredibly brave. Certain mental health struggles, like anxiety, depression, or mood disorders, distort how you see yourself and the world. Sometimes, no matter how much you pray, journal, or read Scripture, you’ll still feel stuck. Satan wants you to think feeling this way means God is angry with you—but it’s a lie! Don’t believe it! Recognize these feelings for what they are: a call for spiritual-emotional support. CI 171.2

God created us as whole beings - mind, body, and soul. Therapy, although frowned upon in some families or societies, offers a space to dismantle lies, process pain, and learn tools to manage emotions and develop self-worth. A Christian counselor can help you align your thoughts with truth, while also respecting where you are in your faith journey. Seeking therapy is like seeking a physician for the heart. It’s one of the most courageous steps you can take toward healing. God wants you to know that you weren’t meant to carry everything alone. Of course, you should seek Him first for help with mental struggles. But don’t discount God’s ability to use a therapist to help equip you with “tools” to navigate and cope with mental health challenges.^[187] CI 171.3

“Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Luke 5:31 NIV CI 171.4

“Nothing is so fruitful a cause of disease as depression, gloominess, and sadness.” Ellen White in Healthful Living, p. 232 CI 171.5

Reflect: If you felt you needed therapy, would you have the support to do so? CI 171.6