I could not imagine the pressure an athlete faces on a major stage such as the Olympics. Seeing a premier athlete such as Simone Biles step down from competition due to her own mental health, left me thinking of my own story.
A sad reality is that many pastors struggle with their mental health, depression, anxiety, etc. It’s not the pressure of the Olympic stage, but many carry unrealistic expectations. Yet others it could be their own personal struggles.
Yet, just like those in the pew pastors won’t ask for help because of the wrong belief, they are somehow superheroes and to struggle in this area makes one less of a strong believer.
Breaking news, your humanity doesn’t change, and struggles are still a reality for the follower of Christ. Sadly many suffer in silence because to admit you struggle is equivalent to a lack of faith.
Many years ago, I walked through depression secretly, afraid of saying anything because I didn’t want to lose my job. See my struggle of people-pleasing, a learned behavior by the way, from childhood trauma, imploded on me. I didn’t need some magical deliverance, but I needed the skills to know how to think correctly and a proper view of myself that I didn’t have.
I had no idea how to deal with the emotions I was feeling. I needed help, but to say that in the eyes of some was saying I didn’t have enough faith. Well, I did have faith; I trusted in the sufficient work of Jesus Christ alone. Yet, I struggled, emotionally and mentally.
It wasn’t until years later, after I was no longer part of that church, I mustered the courage to sit down and talk to someone. I was able to process much of my childhood trauma and some of the struggles I still had. Today, you may be secretly struggling, afraid to even ask for help. First, who are you trying to prove wrong? Second, to admit your weakness is indeed a mark of humility. It is indeed in our very weakness where the strength of Christ is shown.
I had my counselor ask me once, ‘who told you to believe that?’ As I wrestled through my struggle with people pleasing and perfectionism. Each of these caused major anxiety and depression in my life. It was one of those eye opening questions. In fact, I didn’t have an answer for it. I had thought this way for so long that I didn’t even know. Then the follow up question, ‘Is that what God has told us to believe?’ This one small conversation helped me to reframe my thinking to line up with the Lord.
If you are struggling mentally this morning, seek the Lord. You can also speak to a trusted Christian counselor. Having someone help you see what you are unable, but also process through emotions you are not sure how to, does not make you a bad Christian.
Am I weak? Yes. In my humanity, but it is Christ who I trust in. His strength, not my own.
”Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
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