Thursday, 22 October 2009
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Psychologist or God?
I was talking to a good friend of mine the other day about Problems. Not just any kind of problems, but psychological problems, otherwise known as "difficulty coping", "the blues", "depression", or "conflict". I'm sure there still more ways of labeling it, but that's not the point. What we were talking about was "Psychologist or God?" when it comes to "seeing treatment.It's so much easier to ask humans to help us when we suffer from conflict in our lives. It's easy, because when we say "Help," we know the person hears us, we see them react, and we can clearly hear their response (although we may not like it very much).
To ask God, however, includes a risk - it includes faith in a being that we cannot see (in the sense that we can 'see' a psychologist sitting in front of us), that we may not necessarily hear, and don't know if He will choose to respond to us right away. Yes, it takes a leap of faith to ask God for help, especially when one feels down and out, at the end of their rope, and a multitude of other collocations.
Then again, could both help? ...This reminds me of that proveb/story/morbid joke where a guy was drowning, and prayed to God for help... A big boat came byand threw him a line. The guy refused, saying "God will save me." Asmaller boat came by and tried to help - same thing, the drowning manwouldn't go. And a little raft floated by with a fisherman, but thedrowning man would still not be saved. Finally, he dies. Up inheaven, he sees God, and says "Why didn't you save me? I prayed!!" andGod replied, "I sent you three boats."
I'm suffering from conflict in my life right now, and I don't know what to do.
Psychotherapist, or God? Can it be both? What do you think? What would you do?
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- From: the_hidden_angel
- Name: Julianna
- About Me: 20 years old, newly married, Christian, and trying to live the life! :)
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Comments (46)
This post comes at a time where I am making the same decision. My decision is I have an appointment with a physcologist in a week and half and I pulled out and dusted off the old Bible and started digging in again. So i think both. God blesses others with the knowledge to help and I am gonna use them!
Both.
Psychology is actually very biblical. Jesus was focused on the mind, telling people to renew their minds. Psychologists are working with the same principle. If you're torn, find a Christian psychologist.
You need to be careful because a lot of psychotherapy is contradictory to the bible.
@musterion99@xanga - This is very true, and I learned that the hard way while seeking help when I was first diagnosed with bipolar.
I'm not saying this is fail-safe, but I did both. I went to a psychologist and to a free Christian counselor. I learned a lot from both, but the Christian counselor, though not a psychologist, was able to take the things the psychologist told me and help me understand them through a Godly perspective. It certainly didn't come without its fair share of contradictions, but I was at least able to sort things out and proceed with the rest of my life.
i was in two seriously abusive relationships that lasted almost 3 years (dated one for 11 months, then less then a month later got involved with another abusive man that went on for 25 months).
When I finally got away I had no idea who I was as an abuse survivor. I know God delivered me from both situations, but I blamed myself. A friend of mine got me to talk to a counselor who is a Christian (to me this is very different then a Christian counselor, and I've been to both). She helped me work through what had happened and she was someone I felt very safe talking to and was a great source of encouragement.
I hit a rough spot when I went away to college and, after a verbal fight with one of my roomies, I was asked to have a chat with the Bible college's Christian psychologist. I did not agree with any conclusions that person came to. She told me I was manic-depressive and should also be tested for bi-polar disorder. When I told her she needed to re-evaluate her ideas, she handed me a perscription for anti-depressants and told me "this should fix it".
I would never go to another "Christian physchologist" again. Though I have reccomeded to several ppl I know to go a counslor who is a Christian.
@modernmelody - I'm glad to hear that you were able to sort things out.
@exhale_whispers@xanga - I completely agree with you. Psychology is pretty Biblical, and I think the best thing to do would be to find a Christian counselor that you're comfortable with. It might take a few tries, but the right person is out there. God works through other people, including psychologists.
Why close off any potential avenues of help?
Look at the Psalmists or Jeremiah. Many times they're in very bad states, psychological problems, but ultimately they end up going to God. God already knows all about you and your problem already. Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. Eternal life includes all our life with Christ, not just at first when we are saved. The Word of God has a wealth of treasure for us. Man is the same as he was when it was written. The Bible is full of timeless truths and principles to help us so we might be throughly equipped for every good work and so we might run the race set before us.
Throughout the NT, we see commands having to do with the mind. Be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Gird up the loins of our mind. Our battle begins in the mind. Problems in the mind are not beyond the reach of God. He created the mind, did He not?
That said, God does give us one another to support and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). We are all members of one Body, when one member suffers, we all suffer. We are to be teaching and admonishing one another (Col. 3:16). If we were really doing this, there'd be a lot less need for psychologists.
I'm not saying professionals don't have their place at times, but when we seek them out we should find those who are giving counsel that is in sync with the Word of God.
Very great post. A few people have suggested that I go in for therapy,
I am not ashamed to go in for help, I am ashamed because I am not as
young as the usual clientele. I do however believe in my soul that the
only thing I need is the knowledge of the truth: I need to be life to
be as close to God as possible, and the rest will seem minute, may even
fix itself. I haven't really had an issue with the believing whether
or not He will fix me; however I do know that people who believe in a
greater spiritual being do indeed lead happier lives, in turn if I
believe things will get better through my faith in Him they will, and
they have been.
I think the answer's pretty obvious- both. God created all people for a reason, one of which is to help others.
If someone were to discount psychology, they may as well go ahead and ditch Banting's discovery of insulin as well.
I go for counselling. I guess she's a psychologist...MSW anyways. And I have a psychiatrist who deals with my meds. I absolutely believe in God and His power, but for now at least, healing does not equal reading my Bible and then magically getting rid of bipolar, eating, and panic disorders. I believe God uses these so I appreciate Him and His beauty so much more.
Viewing it as a dichotomy is dangerous. Many Christians love to tell people with "problems" to "rely on God more, and everything will be better," and that is (a.) hurtful, (b.) counterproductive (it exacerbates the problem by adding on guilt), and (c.) false--life is tough, and Jesus said nothing to ever suggest it would be otherwise.Relying on God can be very helpful, but it can also quickly turn into one of two things:
1.) Anger at God for not resolving the problem (even though that's not really what He normally does)
2.) Anger at (or guilt with) yourself for not relying on God enough for the problem to go away.
I've struggled with Major Depression, Dysthymia, and Depersonalization
Disorder, and been to several different Therapists and Social
workers--some were better than others.... So my answer to your question is both: read your Bible...a lot...and remember God's Love for you, and while doing that see a Psychologist, preferably one who is a Christian, but I echo @LadyGwenivere@xanga's advice in steering clear of Christian Counselors....
Maybe this is just my experience or I didn't give it enough time...but in general I think they're kinda clueless. I'm sure there are good ones out there, but I have yet to meet one.
@musterion99@xanga - While this is somewhat true--Psychology is the most densely atheist of any academic discipline--this doesn't mean all therapists are bad (most of them are good about being educated about religion and keeping their views to themselves...though there are notable exceptions). Also Clinical Psych is a little more removed from academia than, say, cognitive neuroscience, so the proportion who are Christians is (at least slightly) higher. Besides, God sends rain on both Christian and non-Christian farmers, in the same way, He blesses Christians and non-Christians alike with empathy and the ability to console and help people.
@sheepthatsblack@xanga - the counselor i saw was great.. we started out as grief counseling and then moved on to walk through the abuse. The Christian counselor was all "what do you think God wanted you to learn.. why do you think God allowed this.." Whereas my counselor who was a Christian didn't bring God up in the session except to pray with me before and over me after and during the time I did not see her.
the only reason i can't really advocate seeking God's help is through personal experience. i was suicidal when i was Christian, and seeking medical help was heavily discouraged. but when God didn't help me at all, the only logical conclusion to my depressed mind was that killing myself was part of His plan.
frankly, if your life is at stake, i wouldn't leave anything up to chance.
Both. but don't seek any counsel, seek wise counsel from people who seek to glorify the Creator.
@sheepthatsblack@xanga - I'm not against getting counseling, I'm against any counsel that contradicts the bible.
God created psychologists, so make good use of them.
I don't think you should ignore life and His creations.. I think He made the world for us to use and manipulate.
Go see a psychologist.
If you think you need to go see a psychologist, go see one. Keep in mind that there are different ones though just like there are different medical doctors. Each psychologist takes his or her own approach (ex. biological, behavioral, psychoanalytical, etc.) so find one that suits you. I don't think God would mind that you're trying to keep your mind healthy. Keeping your mind healthy keeps your spirit healthy too. :)
The line of logic is a little deceptive. Everything has its risk, whether through God or psychologists. Psychology certainly is not perfect and it is possible to make a wrong diagnosis or a certain approach of the psychologist may not be right for you. That being said, the two are not necessarily as contradictory as you make it out to be. If you had cancer, would you make chemotherapy and praying two separate choices? Probably not, though some might. Afterall the medical field may very well be as "ungodly" as psychology considering it is based on genetics, evolutionary theories, and many other sciences. Many Christians have no moral dilemma for being treated by doctors, but make the distinction between doctors and psychologist despite both fields being based on secular theories. Sorry for the long heated opinion, I'm a psychology major.
Your last example is right. You shouldn't necessarily expect miracles to manifest itself in divine ways, but can come in human form. If God worked all the time through divine powers, there wouldn't be a need for psychologists, psychiatrist, and doctors. It is perfectly reasonable to think God is working through other people. And being human, it might take some time to find help that works and it's sort of hit and miss, but even God doesn't say yes all time when you ask for healing.
In other words, both.
i never went to a psychologist before and i always thought it would be weird to go to someone for advice but it may work out for you.. i think both may be good..
Both. Help from a psychologist for short term and strengthen a relationship with God in the long term.
@musterion99@xanga - Citation needed.
The problem with psychology is that it often tells you exactly the opposite of what God instructs on a topic. I have come to believe that what is far more effective than simply asking God for help is finding someone who can walk you through what the Bible says about your problems and how to apply that to your life. In my case, it's suicidal thoughts, and what gives me victory over them is understanding God's character as the God of life, and also how I fit into His plan that is so much bigger than my personal needs that the best way to "die to self" is keep on living until He calls me home in His own timing. I never would have understood that from someone focused on my mind, but having a counselor walk me through Scripture did. If you are looking for help, the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors is a great place to start.
@CyanideNGunpowder@xanga - For example, a psychologist might tell someone that they have the disease of alcoholism, whereas the bible says they have the sin of drunkenness.
both, but see a psychologist who believe in God.
@musterion99@xanga - ...how is that disagreeing? Both are telling the person "STOP DRINKING". A psychologist isn't going to say "Ok, so you're an alcoholic...wanna head down to the bar after this session and knock back a few?"