When someone comes to me for “counseling,” I sometimes say, “I’m not a counselor–I’m just the Bible guy.” But in an age where many are looking for therapeutic or pharmaceutical solutions to their troubles, I like to start with the basics. For example, if a person is feeling anxious or depressed, I would ask questions such as: Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating healthy? Are you getting physical activity? Isn’t it true that what your body experiences affects your moods & thinking? Feeling tired, out of shape, & carrying extra weight can make you feel bad about yourself, causing you to be irritable, withdrawn, & insecure.
I would also ask about the spiritual basics. Are you reading your Bible & praying regularly? Are you gathering weekly with your spiritual family for fellowship & worship? Reading Scripture fills your mind with what God says instead of what the world says, renewing your mind with truth (Rom. 12:2). Those who engage with Scripture regularly actually report less anxiety since it offers promises about casting all your anxieties on the God who cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7, Matt. 6:25-24, Phil. 4:6).
Anxiety, depression & fear may be due to the lack of a biblical worldview which helps a person interpret & respond to reality in light of what God says. Yet few possess such a mental framework & moral grid. Such people will have skewed perspectives which result in frustrating, chaotic, & hopeless lifestyles. They’re building their lives on shifting sands instead of the solid rock (Matt. 7:24-27).
One reason why many seek out counseling is so they can verbalize what they’re feeling–it’s how they process things. It’s why the best “counsel” can simply be conversing or even venting with a friend who’s a good listener. God is actually that first Friend to turn to. As you call on His grace, strength, & guidance, you’re laying those burdens on His shoulders (Matt. 11:28-30). And as you express gratitude, you’re shifting attention from your problems to your blessings.
So many these days are fearful & anxious because they’re stuck in their rooms communicating via text & social media instead of face-to-face. It’s not as good for mental health as being in the same room with others. Breaking out of isolation to build relationships affects a person’s sense of well-being, reduces stress (which can create inflammation, heightening the risk of disease), lowers blood pressure, & lessens the risk for depression. Weekly church services involve even more than social support–worship & teaching offer hope, help, & healing for the soul.
Are you a news junkie? We weren’t meant to absorb multiple negative reports about crime, death, & turmoil from all over the world. Turn off the TV or stop scrolling. Just check in, but don’t hang out. Are you viewing porn? Stop it. Are you watching filthy & violent shows or listening to harsh & vulgar music? That’s not good for anyone’s soul. Think on good things (Phil. 4:8).
Change your environment. It’s amazing what a difference it can make when a youth goes away for a mission trip or a church retreat. Once they unplug from the world for a few days, their demeanors change. That’s not to suggest that a family with a troubled teen should become Amish, but parents who remove their children from negative school & online influences often report that their teenagers aren’t so swayed to adopt the foolish philosophies & morals of their peers & what’s trending. They actually begin to return to normal.
We all have felt deep, confusing emotions & struggled with discouraging thoughts & bouts of sadness from time to time. The Psalms are full of such distressed feelings. But the terms used in Scripture are “downcast soul,” “heaviness of spirit,” or “broken spirit.” That doesn’t make them clinical disorders or psychological syndromes–they can be normal, human responses. The Psalmists chose to trust in the the Lord nevertheless (Ps. 42:11). Yes, the joy of the Lord is our strength, but joy is more than a feeling–it’s a choice to have a hopeful outlook by relying on God even while feeling down.
No one can honestly doubt that our society is way over-medicated. Something like 1 in 6 American adults are on some kind of psychiatric med, with antidepressants leading the pack. But are people just numbing themselves so they feel less? I’m not suggesting that there may not be legitimate uses of such treatments for severe cases, but drugs don’t deal with the cause of those feelings. Could it be that many are treating their symptoms instead of confronting their poor choices? If you’re smacking your head over & over, it’s going to cause headaches. Should you take more aspirins or stop smacking your head? Instead of reaching for medications that merely mask feelings, a person may want to think about dropping some bad habits & incorporating spiritual habits.
I don’t support a utilitarian view of religion–that if it makes you feel better, it must be true. Or that you should be religious because of what it does for you. No, we practice our Christian faith because it IS true. And because it’s true, it just happens to work in practical ways too. Christianity doesn’t remove all your problems, but in Christ, we find the prescription for purpose, security, stability, & peace. We shouldn’t evaluate spirituality by emotional measures. And we don’t walk by feelings but by faith.