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christian counseling today
Vol. 21 no. 2
Ed Ste t zer
God Heals
The answer is, at least partly, because we know God heals. He not only restores
our spiritual wounds, but many also believe God physically heals… at times
in miraculous ways. So, as people of faith, we accept the miraculous, know of
freedom in Christ, experience the forgiveness of sin, and acknowledge super-
natural healing. However, we have all seen people, even believers, struggle with
severe mental problems. They affect them emotionally, spiritually and relation-
ally, and sometimes deliverance does not seem to come in supernatural ways.
The person wants help. His or her family seeks answers. Others wonder what
is going on. So, it makes for awkward and limited conversations. As leaders,
we often end up avoiding mental illness concerns altogether, or we fly by the
seat of our spiritual pants in response when help is needed.
Some Personal History
I remember as a young pastor I did not know how to handle mental illness.
We had a gentleman in our church who loved the Lord with all of his heart.
M
Most of us know someone who is in counseling, on medication, or has even taken his or her own life as a result of a
mental illness. There are many difficult issues for Christians to talk about, and mental health would certainly be near
the top of that list. Yet, this is a conversation the Church needs to have. Suicide may be one of the most complex
and demanding topics of all. Over the past few years, the discussion has felt forced, especially when the event is
connected to high-profile suicides of prominent Christian leaders or their family members and close associates.
While the circumstances in these situations are varied, the question of mental health always comes up; and when
we talk about mental illness and suicide, it immediately creates a unique challenge for believers. The question is
“Why?” Why is it uniquely challenging for us to address issues often associated with mental illness?
The Church
and Mental
Health
What Do the
Numbers Tell Us?