Faith &Mental Health: Partners in the Healing Journey

By Rebecca Holloway, Ministry Partner at The Carpenter’s Shop

Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with people who are struggling—not just with life’s everyday challenges, but with deep emotional and mental battles. I’ve heard questions like, “Is it okay to love God and still feel anxious?” or “If I’m depressed, does that mean my faith is weak?” These questions don’t come from a place of doubt, but from deep pain and a desire to understand how faith fits into the healing journey.

As someone who serves in ministry alongside my husband Keith at The Carpenter’s Shop, and as someone who cares deeply about emotional wellness, I want to say this clearly: yes, you can be a faithful believer and still struggle with your mental health.

Faith and mental health are not in conflict. In fact, when held together, they can lead us toward a more complete and compassionate kind of healing—one that honors both our humanity and our hope in God.

When Faith Walks Through the Valley

Mental illness can be disorienting. Depression can make even the smallest tasks feel heavy. Anxiety can create a storm of fear and doubt that’s hard to escape. In those seasons, it’s easy to wonder, Where is God in all of this?

I believe He’s right there—with us in the valley. The Bible is full of people who wrestled emotionally and mentally. Elijah wanted to give up. David cried out in despair. Even Jesus experienced deep sorrow in the garden. Our emotional struggles don’t disqualify our faith—they connect us to a long line of believers who brought their full humanity before God.

Sometimes the most courageous faith we can have is the kind that says, “I don’t feel okay, but I’m still reaching for You.”

Small Sacred Rhythms

During difficult seasons in my own life, what sustained me wasn’t dramatic breakthroughs—it was small, sacred rhythms. A quiet prayer in the early morning. A worship song that spoke to my soul. A verse I kept on repeat to help anchor my thoughts.

At The Carpenter’s Shop, we often encourage our church family to lean into these rhythms. Prayer isn’t just a religious duty—it’s a lifeline. Worship lifts our hearts when our heads are heavy. Scripture speaks to the parts of us that feel unseen or forgotten.

These practices don’t “fix” us—but they gently remind us that we’re not alone, and that healing is possible.

The Strength of Community

One of the greatest gifts of the church is community—people who pray for you, check on you, cry with you, and celebrate the small victories. I’ve seen it again and again in our congregation: someone quietly shares their pain, and suddenly they’re surrounded by prayer, support, and love.

Healing rarely happens in isolation. God often works through people—through kindness, encouragement, and presence. And sometimes, the most spiritual thing we can do is allow ourselves to be loved by others.

Let’s End the Stigma

Unfortunately, the church hasn’t always gotten this right. Some have been told their mental illness is just a “spiritual issue” or a sign of weak faith. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Needing help isn’t a failure. It’s human. And seeking support—whether from a therapist, a doctor, or a trusted friend—is not abandoning your faith. It’s an act of stewardship. Just as we care for our physical health, we’re called to care for our mental and emotional health as well.

At The Carpenter’s Shop, Keith and I are committed to being a community that honors both faith and mental health. You can pray and go to therapy. You can love Jesus and take medication. You can have strong faith and still have hard days.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re in a difficult place right now, I want you to hear this from someone who’s walked with many others down this road: you are not alone. You are not broken beyond repair. You are seen by God, and there is space for your story within His.

Faith doesn’t mean pretending everything’s okay. It means trusting that even in the mess, even in the questions, you are still deeply loved and held.

Healing takes time—but you don’t have to walk through it alone. We’re here. God is here. And there’s hope.