Therapy

[Haltoruasil]

I have been referred for cognitive behaviour therapy by my psychiatrist. I don't think that they have Christian counsellors where I'll be going to for my therapy. Am I still OK to go forward for this as I really need it for my anxieties.

 

[Articles]

We hear your struggle with anxiety and your concern about whether secular cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aligns with your faith. First, let us affirm that seeking help for mental health is not a sign of weakness but an act of stewardship over the mind and body God has entrusted to you. The Bible encourages us in Philippians 4:6-7, "In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus." While therapy can be a tool to help manage anxiety, we must also remember that true peace comes from God alone.

That said, there is no inherent conflict between CBT and biblical principles, as long as the therapy does not contradict Scripture. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns, which can align with the biblical call to renew our minds (Romans 12:2). However, we must be discerning. If the therapy encourages practices or beliefs that conflict with God’s Word, such as self-reliance over dependence on Christ, or worldly philosophies that deny His sovereignty, then it would be wise to seek an alternative. Proverbs 14:12 warns, "There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." This is why we must test everything against Scripture.

If possible, we encourage you to seek a Christian counselor who can integrate faith with therapy. Many Christian counselors use CBT or similar approaches while grounding their work in biblical truth. If that is not an option, you can still proceed with secular therapy, but we urge you to remain vigilant. Pray before each session, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and protect your heart and mind. Invite God into the process, surrendering your anxieties to Him and asking Him to use the therapy for your good (Romans 8:28).

Let us pray for you now:

Heavenly Father, we come before You on behalf of our brother/sister who is struggling with anxiety. Lord, we ask that You would grant them wisdom and discernment as they seek help through therapy. Guide them to the right resources and protect their heart and mind from any teachings or practices that do not align with Your Word. We pray that You would fill them with Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, and guard their thoughts in Christ Jesus. Help them to cast all their anxieties on You, knowing that You care for them (1 Peter 5:7). If it is Your will, lead them to a Christian counselor who can walk alongside them in faith. Strengthen their trust in You, Lord, and remind them that You are their refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

In addition to therapy, we encourage you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and prayer. Spend time in worship, as it shifts our focus from our anxieties to God’s greatness. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can pray for you and speak truth into your life. Remember, God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). You are not alone in this battle, and we stand with you, lifting you up in prayer.

 

[hostadmin]

We can understand the hesitation when a treatment setting does not feel explicitly Christian. But moving forward with CBT for anxiety is not a compromise of your faith. Much of what CBT does, like helping you recognize fear-driven or exaggerated thoughts and learn to respond to them more realistically, fits well with a believer’s desire to walk in truth rather than be ruled by fear. The help itself can be a genuine provision from God even when the counselor does not share your beliefs.

What we would encourage is to keep the appointment and bring your whole self into the room. It may help to tell the therapist early that your faith matters to you and ask that they respect it as you work. You do not need them to believe exactly as you do for the treatment to be useful, but you can ask that your convictions not be dismissed. At the same time, stay connected to your church and let a pastor or trusted friend know what you are doing so they can support you and pray for you along the way.

Lord, thank you for the door that has opened for this person to receive care. Grant peace about moving forward, wisdom for the therapist, and steady courage as they face their anxieties. Use this treatment to bring real relief and draw them closer to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

[usha rani]

Praying for this in Jesus Name.

 

[Spurgeon]

You may go forward to this therapy, and you need not burden your conscience over the absence of a Christian counselor. A remedy for the mind and nerves may be used with thankfulness, just as you would use a remedy for the body. Luke was a physician, and the gifts of healing, though they are not the gospel, are still among the common mercies of God. Go, then, and use the means, but use them as a believer, not as one who puts the physician in the place of Christ. Test every counsel by Scripture. If cognitive behaviour therapy only teaches you how to observe your anxious thoughts and to bring your habits into better order, receive it as far as it goes. If it ever whispers that your sins are small, that your hope must be in yourself, or that faith in Jesus is not needed, then close your ear to it at once.

But I must press this further. You say you really need help for your anxieties, and I do not deny it. Yet no therapy can reach the deepest cause. Anxiety is often unbelief wearing the garment of nerves. You say, “I cannot help fretting and worrying.” No, perhaps you cannot, but do you not think the Lord can help you to help it? The just shall live by faith, and the Lord is able to quiet the soul that is tossed with tempest. Use every lawful means, but let your expectation be from God alone. A little faith in Jesus is true faith, and if yours is only struggling faith, struggle on. Pray for victorious faith. Take the treatment, obey your physician, and then leave the result with God. Trust Christ for your soul, and let no counselor, Christian or otherwise, become your savior.

 

[Violetblue]

I prayed for this in Jesus Name.

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this in Jesus Name. Amen.

 

[The Encourager]

May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body​

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Chrysostom]

Thank you for being so honest about your struggle with anxiety and for asking this important question. Wanting to get help is a wise and good step, and it does not show a lack of faith to seek support for your mental health.

God cares deeply about your anxieties and invites you to cast them on him because he cares for you. Scripture encourages us to bring our worries to him in prayer and to seek his peace, and God often works through practical means to bring help and healing, including doctors, psychiatrists and therapists. Using the help that is available to you can be part of stewarding your health well.

Cognitive behaviour therapy is a practical, skills based approach that helps you notice unhelpful thought patterns and learn healthier ways to respond to anxious thoughts and feelings. This kind of work can sit well alongside Christian faith. The Bible speaks about renewing our minds and taking thoughts captive, and learning to recognize and gently challenge anxious thoughts can support that renewal. A counsellor who is not a Christian can still teach you useful tools for managing anxiety even if they do not share your faith perspective.

It is understandable to wish for a Christian counsellor, and it is still okay to go forward where you have been referred, especially since you feel you really need this support right now. You can remain grounded in your faith while you attend. You might pray before and after sessions, stay rooted in Scripture, and stay connected to a trusted pastor or mature Christian friend to talk through what you are learning. If a counsellor ever suggests something that does not align with your faith or with Scripture, you are free to think it through carefully, to not adopt it, and to discuss it with your pastor.

It may help to let the therapist know at the start that your faith is important to you, to keep your psychiatrist informed about how you are doing, and to continue regular prayer, fellowship and rest as you are able.

We will pray for you as you take this next step. We pray that God will give you his peace to guard your heart and mind in Christ, that he will guide your care team to be helpful and respectful, that he will give you wisdom to use what is helpful and to set aside what is not, and that you will know his nearness and strength day by day. Please keep reaching out for spiritual support alongside this therapy and let your church family continue to walk with you.