Being a person of faith, I've often been advised to "pray harder" or "have more faith" when dealing with mental health challenges. But what if praying doesn't immediately heal the pain? What if having more faith doesn't magically dissolve anxiety or depression? What if the struggle is real and not simply a matter of "not having enough faith"?
I felt like I was living a double life for a long time. I projected the image of a strong, faithful person on the outside. I dutifully attended church and encouraged people and attended faith events. Yet inside, I was fighting to stay afloat. I felt engulfed by anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. It seemed I was somehow falling short, as if my faith wasn't sufficient.
Here's the truth: faith and mental health are not incompatible. When combined, they can be pretty powerful. Faith can offer purpose, solace, and a sense of community. It can provide a framework for understanding our struggles and finding significance in our pain. However, faith alone cannot eradicate mental illness.
I've realised that it's OK to not be OK, even as a person of faith. It's OK to grapple, to question, and to seek help. Seeking help through therapy, medication, or support groups is not a sign of weakness but rather an emblem of strength.
Faith can be a valuable tool in our mental health journey, but it's not a substitute for professional support. It's time to dismantle the stigma associated with mental illness in our faith communities and begin rallying around one another in our battles. We must foster an environment where it's acceptable to struggle, where we can openly discuss our challenges and locate the support and resources we need for healing.
So, if you are in a similar struggle, understand that you're not alone. Recognise that your faith is not inadequate, and neither are you. Let's collaborate to establish a more transparent, supportive community where we can weather the storm together and discover healing as a collective.
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