Should Christians Take Anxiety Medication? Does Taking Antidepressants Mean I Don’t Trust God?

Many Christians find themselves trying to navigate whether or not they should take medication for their mental health. In this video, Justin Amos of "The Mind of Christ" YouTube channel addresses this topic from a personal and educated perspective as someone raised in the church, has years of experience as a pastor and someone studying to become a licensed professional counselor. I hope this video is helpful to you in some small way!

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VIDEO SCRIPT (Partial):
Should Christians Take Anxiety Medication? Does Taking Antidepressants Mean I Don’t Trust God? I wrestled with these questions growing up in church, and now, as a pastor and someone studying to become a licensed counselor, I know many Christians find themselves navigating these questions, too.

Depression is a serious mental health condition that can impact one's mood, energy levels, and overall quality of life. Psychologist Ali Mattu said that depression makes you lose interest in life, which makes you less motivated, and it becomes harder to do anything. You don’t enjoy things the way you used to. Depression evaporates joy.
 
Anxiety, however, is a natural response to stress and can manifest as feelings of fear, worry, or unease. It can actually be beneficial in certain situations, as it can prompt us to take action and protect ourselves from harm. However, when anxiety becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can severely impact our daily lives and mental well-being.
 
From a Biblical perspective, God calls us to cast our cares on Him and trust in His sovereignty. In Philippians 4:6-7, we are encouraged to not be anxious about anything, but to present our requests to God with thanksgiving, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This verse is often quoted to encourage believers to rely on faith and prayer to overcome anxiety.
 
Now, there are many reasons why Christians might find themselves wrestling with whether or not they need to take medication for their mental health. For some people, myself included, we have actual chemical imbalances in our brains. Our brains, like any other organ, might not work as they should, and they need some attention. And just like we would do everything possible to heal and treat a failing heart, liver, lungs or kidneys, we should also be willing to do whatever necessary to help our brain function in the way God intended it. So genetics and our biological makeup can certainly be a factor in our mental health.

Now unfortunately, there is still a stigma surrounding mental health and some misconceptions about antidepressants within some Christian communities. Some may believe that relying on medication for anxiety is a sign of weakness or lack of trust in God and his ability to heal. However, this mindset can be harmful and dismissive of the legitimate struggles that many individuals face with their mental health.

Does that mean that every Christian struggling with their mental health needs to be on medication? Absolutely not. Does it mean that perhaps some Christians do? Absolutely.
 
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