As you would image, I can only speak from my own personal experience. Growing up in the church we were encouraged to read and meditate on scripture, we were encouraged to pray, and we were encouraged to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. These things were and still are a crucial part of Christian living. But we were never encouraged to get therapy.
No matter how we try to sugar coat it, Christians are not immune to pain or suffering. Though we might not want to admit it, Christians are not exempt from being victims of abuse. Truth be told, Christians are not obsolete when it comes to being perpetrators.
While our spiritual leaders are available to pray for us and lead us, Pastor and the Church Elder may not have the knowledge and understanding needed to appropriately address abusive and mental health related situations.
Get the Bible, get Prayer, get Jesus, and get Therapy.
As I recall the TP movie on Amazon Prime, two scriptures quickly come to mind:
- Proverbs 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
- Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Professional Counselors and Therapists are trained to understand the various types of abuse; the impact abuse has on our lives; ways to help us cope; and necessary treatment that will help us heal.
Professional Counselors and Therapists can help us to understand how our experiences may impact our behavior and relationships; help us to learn language and skills to manage our lives; and teach us how to reduce stress and remove stressors due to trauma.
To The Silent Sufferer:
God has a great plan for your life. AWOGI will continue to encourage and support you to walk in your greatest potential in Christ Jesus. You are important and so is your voice. Use your voice to encourage yourself and others.
Get wisdom and get understanding. Believe the Bible, Pray fervently, Trust Jesus Christ, and get Therapy. Click the link to learn more about the benefits of therapy.