If I Have Jesus, Why Am I Still Struggling with My Mental Health?

I love Jesus, but I still struggle with anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. In fact, I’ve been in a mental battle for almost 15 years now - literally half of my life. While some seasons are harder than others, the struggles have persisted.

And I know I’m not alone. If you’ve struggled too, you’ve probably felt the tension between your faith and your mental health. Maybe you’ve wondered if you’re doing something wrong or if your struggles mean you’re not trusting God enough.

You may ask questions like:

Does struggling with mental health mean I’m failing as a Christian?
Why do I still feel anxious and depressed, even though I love Jesus?
Does seeking professional help show a lack of faith in God?
Am I struggling with mental health because of a specific sin?
Do real Christians struggle with suicidal thoughts?
Does my anxiety or depression mean I don’t trust God enough?
If my faith were strong enough, would my mental health struggles go away?

The root of these questions come from a false belief that once we give our lives to Jesus, we’ll live a life free from struggle. If knowing Jesus brings more joy, peace, and freedom into our lives, then why are we still experiencing sadness, unrest, and anxiety?

The truth is that Jesus guarantees a life with difficulties. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, NIV).

Notice that Jesus doesn’t promise the absence of struggle. But he does promise his presence in the midst of it.

So what are some of the lies that others have told us, and how do we speak truth over our faith and mental health struggles?

**Truth #1: Struggling with your mental health as a Christian does not mean you lack faith.**

The Bible is filled with faithful people who still wrestled with deep emotional pain. King David, called a man after God’s own heart, wrote many Psalms crying out to God in distress. In Psalm 42:11, he says, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me…”

Then there’s the prophet Elijah, who after witnessing God’s incredible power, experienced such deep despair that he wished for his death. 1 Kings 19:4 says, “…He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’”

God never accused these men of lacking faith. Instead, God showed up for each one of them, offering them what they needed in the moment. Whether it was something as simple as food and a nap, or God strengthening us to worship him through the good and the bad, God was present every step of the way.

**Truth #2: Struggling with your mental health as a Christian does not mean you don’t pray enough.**

How many times have you heard someone say, “Have you prayed about it?” While this is a good and fair question, in specific contexts, it can be more harmful than good.

For example, if you’re admitting to a friend that your anxiety is out of control and your friend’s only advice is, “Just pray about it”… this can stir up a lot of discouragement. Because it’s here that we see how that false belief comes out again. Praying to God does not guarantee the removal of our struggles.

In fact, the apostle Paul, one of the most faithful men after his conversion to Christianity, repeatedly prayed for God to take away his “thorn in the flesh.” Yet, God did not give him immediate healing. Instead, he said, “…“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…”

God essentially told Paul that he would continue facing struggles despite his prayers. Paul didn’t fail to pray enough—God simply had a different plan for him.

**Truth #3: Struggling with your mental health as a Christian does not mean God is punishing you for a specific sin in your life.**

When we suffer, it’s natural to search for reasons. We wonder things like, Is God punishing me for my sin? Did I do something to deserve this? What’s even worse is when someone else tells you to rid yourself of your sin in order to stop struggling with your mental health.

In fact, I had a stranger on Instagram tell me to reflect on my sin and ask for forgiveness so that my mental health struggles would go away… Yikes.

This lie is incredibly damaging. Jesus Himself addressed this when his disciples saw a man who was blind from birth and asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus replied, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:2-3). Suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin; sometimes, it’s simply a part of the broken world we live in.

If you love Jesus but still struggle with your mental health, it’s not because God is punishing you—it’s more likely because we live in a world where pain and suffering still exist.

The enemy would love for you to believe that your mental health struggles mean your faith is weak, your prayers are ineffective, and that God is punishing you. It’s time to throw off the lies and live into truth.

The truth is that you are never alone in your struggles. Jesus himself experienced sorrow, anxiety, and deep suffering. He understands what it looks like to battle darkness. He empathizes with your hurt. And he equips you to walk in faith, no matter what hardships you’re facing.

Take heart, God is holding you, sustaining you, and walking with you every step of the way.

Next Steps:

Cling to these comforting Bible verses in times of struggle:

Psalm 46:1 - “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Isaiah 41:10 - “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Psalm 9:9-10 - “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

A Great Resource For You:

If you need help drawing closer to Jesus, no matter what sin, anxieties, or troubles are holding you back, then I created a free resource for you. Download 7 Conversations with Jesus to experience the love of God in a way you never have before.