Four Myths Christians Must Stop Believing About Mental Health

A young woman once confessed that her parents didn’t believe she had depression. Despite showing every sign of deep distress, her family insisted her feelings weren’t “real,” but only a lack of spiritual maturity. Sadly, her story isn’t rare.

Too many Christians quietly wrestle with anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts while feeling pressured to stay silent. For them, pain becomes taboo. Emotional struggles are wrongly equated with weak faith, leaving them isolated and ashamed.

Yet statistics tell us a different story: nearly 40 million adults in the United States live with anxiety disorders, and depression affects almost 19 million people annually. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among ages 10–34. Mental health challenges are real, and the Church cannot afford to ignore them.

Below are four common myths that Christians often believe about mental health and the truth Scripture offers in their place.

Myth 1: My Feelings Don’t Matter to God

This lie often comes from distorted images of God or years of having our emotions dismissed by others. Many assume God views their pain as unimportant. But Scripture tells another story.

• “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

• Jesus Himself expressed sorrow, grief, and anguish yet God never condemned Him for it.

Feelings may not always be rational, but they are real. God created us to feel joy and sorrow, to laugh and to weep. He does not ignore our pain but invites us to bring it before Him. To believe otherwise is to confuse human invalidation with God’s heart.

Myth 2: I Just Need More Faith

Well-meaning Christians sometimes say, “Just pray about it,” or, “Surrender it to the Lord.” While prayer and surrender are central to faith, this advice can become crushing when it implies that emotional pain equals a lack of belief.

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as confidence in what we hope for not freedom from struggle. Paul admitted in Philippians 3 that he had not “already obtained” perfection, yet he pressed on in faith. True faith doesn’t deny pain; it trusts God in the midst of it.

When we equate emotional suffering with spiritual failure, we turn faith into performance. But the gospel is clear: God meets us in our weakness, not in our perfection. Seeking therapy, community support, or medical treatment is not faithlessness it is wisdom.

Myth 3: Mental Illness Does Not Exist

Some argue that because Scripture doesn’t use terms like “depression” or “anxiety disorders,” such conditions aren’t real. But that logic would require us to dismiss every modern medical advancement unmentioned in the Bible.

The Psalms alone prove otherwise. David poured out his despair, fear, and hopelessness in prayers that became Scripture. Jesus wept at Lazarus’s tomb and felt deep anguish in Gethsemane. Human emotions including painful ones are part of the biblical story.

Modern psychology and neuroscience help us better understand the mind. They don’t replace Scripture but can serve as tools God uses to bring healing. Just as we thank Him for antibiotics or surgery, we can thank Him for insights into mental health that help us care for souls.

Myth 4: Taking Medication Means I Lack Faith

Within some Christian circles, using medication for mental health struggles is stigmatized. Believers are told to “pray harder” or rely only on spiritual practices. But refusing medical help for emotional pain is no different from refusing chemotherapy for cancer.

Medication is not a cure-all, nor is it always necessary. But for many, it provides stability that allows counseling, prayer, and community to take root. Research shows that brain chemistry, trauma, genetics, and environment all play roles in mental illness. Addressing these factors with medical support is no more unbiblical than wearing glasses to correct vision.

Taking prescribed medication does not replace faith. Instead, it can be one way God brings healing. The Church must move from judgment to compassion, offering encouragement and understanding rather than stigma.

A Call for the Church

Our feelings matter to God. Faith can coexist with fear. Mental illness is real. And treatment including medication can be a gift.

The body of Christ must rise above myths and extend grace to those struggling. Imagine if the Church became the safest place for people to say, “I’m not okay,” and to find love, prayer, and practical help in return.

Revelation 21:4 promises a day when God will wipe every tear and heal every wound. Until then, we care for one another with honesty, compassion, and hope because healing, though sometimes slow, is part of God’s plan.

If this encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear these truths or subscribe to our newsletter to receive more Christ-centered encouragement each week.