“Jesus is enough” is a phrase we Christians often use to console ourselves amidst life’s difficulties. While I wholeheartedly affirm this statement, I’ve heard it used to dismiss the need for therapy for suffering saints. Utilizing this type of aid, we decide, means that we aren’t fully trusting God and His word. While many believe that receiving therapy is the equivalent of surrendering to the ways of the world, knowing that Jesus is enough frees us from believing this. Because Jesus is enough, we have grace for grey areas, including therapy.
While the Bible doesn’t contain the terms mental health, depression, or therapy, it is not silent to the painful realities of life in a broken world. Although I’m unsure of the origins of the phrase “Jesus is enough,” considering it in light of Scripture, we know that Jesus met all of God’s requirements for a sinless sacrifice. He was enough in that way, and He is enough in that He is our greatest treasure who satisfies the deepest longings of our souls (Psalm 107:9). Because Jesus is enough, we are free in Him to pursue help like therapy and/or biblical counseling. As we do so, we hold them loosely, acknowledging that they are limited solutions, not the Savior.
Having heard many well meaning brothers and sisters proclaim point blank that depression is sin didn’t serve me well when I experienced postpartum depression after the birth of my first child. Hearing this, along with being unaware of the physical changes that were occurring in my body, left me trying to combat my condition solely with Scripture (even though I have a degree in psychology – insert face palm here).
Shame was a silencer for me during that season, as struggling with mental illness as a Christian felt humiliating. My burden increased as I doubted my salvation. Years removed from that time, I see now with more clarity.
I can’t go back in time and give myself the help I needed then, but I can share what I’ve learned to comfort others with the comfort I’ve received in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Now I understand and seek to live in the freedom that Christ purchased for me at Calvary—not just from sin and death, but for living in His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Nothing, not even mental illness, can separate me from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). He will complete the good work He’s begun in me and nothing, not even being in a broken body in a broken world, can stop Him (Philippians 1:6).
Even on my worst day, the way God views me doesn’t change because of Jesus. He looks at me and sees the perfect life of my Savior (Isaiah 61:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21). I still sin yet He is faithful and just to forgive me of my sin and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). He keeps me close to Him and while my heart is not seeking to sin in thinking about the role of therapy in the life of a Christian, I know that even if I do, my salvation is secure.
Rather than using this security as an excuse for sinning, which we are commanded against (Romans 6:1-4), it compels me toward closeness to Christ. His word keeps me anchored to Him and gives me abundant wisdom for all areas of life (2 Peter 1:3).
For Christians, making decisions in grey areas like therapy isn’t so much about whether or not we can, but whether or not we should. The apostle Paul found that having the legal right to partake in something didn’t necessarily mean that he should (1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 10:23). It is not illegal to receive therapy, but does that mean it should be a Christian’s first choice in treating mental illness?
Since the Bible doesn’t mention therapy, pursuing it is a wisdom issue. Telling you what you should do in your particular circumstances would be foolish, as each situation contains nuance. Wisdom is not one size fits all. Instead, I believe it would be most helpful to provide Biblical parameters for thinking about such things. Here are three “Cs” to consider as you approach grey areas, including therapy.
Consider Counsel
Proverbs 11:14 states, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” From the beginning of time, the Bible is clear that it isn’t good for us to be alone (Genesis 2:18). The Christian life is always communal (Proverbs 18:1, 1 Corinthians 12:12). Being introverted, I appreciate that the Bible doesn’t prescribe a certain number of individuals that must exist for a community to be legitimate.
I prefer seeking counsel from a few trusted brothers and sisters when I’m at a crossroads with grey areas. I once heard a wise pastor share that ultimately, counsel is just counsel. You get to decide how much of it you’ll implement. It’s helpful to note, too, that Proverbs 11:14 is not a conditional statement but a general observation.
It is wise to seek counsel, and God will not punish you if you’ve failed to. He’s punished His only precious Son on your behalf. He is patient with you as you grow in learning to seek counsel. As you engage in that process, you need not fear, as He is your Wonderful Counselor, perpetually present with you through His Spirit (John 14:16).
Consider Your Conscience
Every individual has a conscience, and every conscience has its unique convictions. This is why it’s unhelpful to take a one size fits all approach to grey areas, including therapy. It is impossible for one blanket approach to address various convictions.
Romans 14:1-4 says, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”
The apostle Paul wrote this encouragement to Roman Christians as they considered the acceptability of eating food that was used in idol worship. Some felt free to consume the food while others did not. We may not be facing this particular decision yet this timeless instruction provides the wisdom we need for life in the modern world. In Romans 14:23, Paul encouraged the Romans to heed their own convictions, reminding them that, “. . . whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
We may have our own convictions about therapy, and another brother or sister may have different ones, and that is biblically permissible. Our conviction is not another’s command. If you’re seeking to understand how someone arrived at their conviction, it is helpful to proceed patiently while believing the best (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7).
Consider the Cross
Finally, consider the cross. It may appear that the Bible is silent on matters of mental health and therapy, as it is devoid of these terms, but that could not be more untrue. On the cross, Jesus died on behalf of all who place their hope for salvation in Him. Our sin separates us from God, yet He made a way for us to have a restored relationship with Him, and it cost Him everything. He knows the pain of loss.
His Son knows the pain of suffering physically and spiritually. His Spirit prays for us when our hearts are heavy (Romans 8:26). Jesus experienced life in a broken body in a broken world, making Him a sympathetic Savior and compassionate companion to saints who suffer (Hebrews 4:15).
Theology and therapy are not mutually exclusive. Seeking therapy or counsel, secular or biblical, requires wisdom, prayer, and dependence on the Lord. Regardless of what you pursue, each field has helpful tools to offer as well as limits. While we may have immediate inclinations toward one form of help over another, there isn’t one form fully able to remove us from the painful realities of embodiment in a broken world.
Even the best biblical counsel can fall short as it is offered by sinners. Even the worst secular therapy is not powerful enough to stop God’s sovereignty in completing the good work He’s begun in us (Philippians 1:6). Most Christians throughout history have not had access to either of these modern tools, yet they were indwelt by the same Holy Spirit who dwells in us. God was faithful to them, and His character has not changed.
Therapy and biblical counseling are good gifts given to us by our incredibly merciful God. We are not yet in eternity, but until we arrive, we have these options available to help soothe sin’s sting. What a kindness of the Lord.
When it comes to walking in a manner worthy of the gospel in a sin stained world (Colossians 1:10), and specifically considering if it’s biblically permissible for Christians to receive therapy, I’ve found 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 greatly encouraging: “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” Because Jesus was and is enough, nothing, absolutely nothing, can stop Him.
