Mental Health Isn’t a Sin — It’s a Signal

Because if it were a sin, I’d be in confession every 4–6 hours.

Let me just start by saying: I love Jesus. I also have anxiety, depression, and days where brushing my teeth feels like climbing Mount Everest with no oxygen and zero snacks.

And for a long time, I thought that made me a bad Christian. A fake. A failure. A hot, holy mess.

But I’ve since learned the truth: Mental health struggles are not spiritual disqualifiers. They’re sacred invitations.

They’re not punishments for not being positive enough. They’re God-whispers saying, “Hey, there’s something here that needs gentle attention… not shame.”

Let’s Clear This Up Right Now:

• Having a panic attack doesn’t mean you don’t trust God.

• Taking medication doesn’t mean you’re weak.

• Going to therapy doesn’t mean you’ve failed spiritually.

• Crying in a church parking lot (been there) does not revoke your salvation.

✝️ Wait—You Mean It's Not a Sin?

Correct. Mental health struggles are not a sin. You know what is a sin though? Pretending you're fine when you're falling apart, slapping on a spiritual cliché like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, and shaming others who are trying to hold it together with prayer and Prozac.

Listen, Jesus didn’t walk around with a clipboard grading people’s emotional stability.

He healed them.

He sat with them.

He wept with them.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18

If that verse doesn’t scream, “God gets your breakdowns,” I don’t know what does.

How Shame Tried to Pastor Me

Shame told me my faith wasn’t strong enough. That if I just prayed harder or fasted longer, I’d be healed. That joy was a fruit of the Spirit and if I wasn’t smiling 24/7, I must be defective.

Let me tell you: I smiled through panic attacks. I raised my hands in worship while silently breaking down inside. I gave out hope while hoarding hurt.

And here’s the raw truth: You can love Jesus and still have a nervous system that’s freaking out. You can memorize Scripture and still sob into your steering wheel.

Can Faith and Therapy Be Friends?

I'm so glad you asked!

Umm... yes. And they absolutely should be.

Jesus and your therapist can be on the same healing team. You can say, “God, I trust You,” and also say, “Also I need someone to help me untangle this mental spaghetti in my brain.”

You can be a Bible-reading, Spirit-filled, church-attending believer who also journals through trauma, uses breathing techniques, and has your therapist’s number saved as “lifeline” in your phone. (I did, you can too)

Maybe It’s Not a Breakdown—Maybe It’s a Breakthrough

What if your struggle isn’t about being punished...What if it’s your soul finally asking to be seen?

What if the tears are sacred? What if the numbness is a sign of exhaustion, not rebellion? What if the “I can’t do this anymore” moment is where healing finally begins?

Spoiler alert: God’s not afraid of your mess. He’s not avoiding you until you “get it together.” He’s not waiting for you to be emotionally stable before showing up.

He’s already in the middle of it. With you. Right now.

I challenge you to ask yourself what you have believed about yourself that God never said? Or who told you that hiding your emotions was holy? What if you gave yourself permission to seek the help you need and still be loved by God?

Here’s what I want you to know, friend:

That thing you’re feeling? That exhaustion that won’t let up? That cycle of anxiety, shame, over-apologizing, spiraling, snapping at your kids, constant irritation, and then crying into your hoodie?

Yeah. Jesus still loves you in that.

Not once you’re better. Not once you’ve “snapped out of it.” Now.

He’s not rolling His eyes. He’s not waiting for you to be more positive. He’s sitting on the floor

Need a Place to Be Real?

If this post hit you in the feels—or made you laugh and feel seen—you’re my kind of person. And listen, I’ve got space for you. Or share this with a friend who needs support.

As a certified faith-based mental health coach and Christian counselor, I walk with people who feel like they’ve hit the wall emotionally, spiritually, mentally (or all three).

We untangle the lies. We name the pain. We make space for grace. And we laugh (a lot) somewhere in between.

You don’t need to fake it. You just need to show up.

👉Mental Health Coaching | Fearless Unite

No pressure. No perfection. Just truth, tears, and the occasional Holy-Spirit-fueled pep talk.

Jesus loves your whole story—especially the chapters you’ve been too scared to share.