By Minister Tarsha R. Gunn MS, LCMHC-A
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And while the world is becoming more open about therapy and emotional wellness, many people, especially in the church, still suffer in silence. There are countless individuals who wake up each day smiling, serving, showing up for others, and appearing to be the pillar of strength… all while quietly breaking inside.
Trials, heartache, and disappointments can feel unbearable. And for many, the only message they’ve heard is “pray about it.” Not that we don’t, we do. But prayer doesn’t mean we should hold everything inside. Sometimes we convince ourselves we must push through alone. We love God. We trust Him. But deep down, we’re emotionally drained, overwhelmed, and afraid to say so.
Let me speak to you tenderly today: It is not God’s will for you to suffer in silence.
God never intended for us to neglect our emotional needs in the name of faith. In fact, your healing spirit, soul, and body matters to Him deeply.
The Bible says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). This means even when you feel shattered, God is near. He isn’t looking for perfection; He desires honesty, wholeness, and relationship.
Sometimes our pain shows up through unhealthy coping: overworking, people pleasing, addictions, or numbing ourselves emotionally to just survive. These are signs we’re not okay, and it’s okay to admit that. The truth is, God loves you right where you are. Even in the darkest moments, He has never left your side. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
You don’t need to “earn” His love. You don’t have to pretend to be strong. God’s grace is not just for your spirit, it’s for your mind and heart too.
There is nothing wrong with seeking therapy, support, or medication if needed. It does not mean you lack faith it means you’re choosing to heal. Jesus Himself said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Mark 2:17).
Friend, you are not alone. God sees behind the smile. He knows when your laughter hides pain, when your service to others masks emptiness, and when your strength feels more like survival. “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
So today, I invite you to do both:
Give it to God and also seek the help you need.
Talk to someone. Rest. Cry. Heal.
Your emotions matter to God. Your wholeness matters. And your story, yes, even the hard parts, is one He is still redeeming.
There is nothing too hard for God. (Jeremiah 32:27)