If you’ve been shamed for choosing other means of healing besides “only prayer,” like taking mediation or seeking professional counseling, I hope this encourages you.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that either extreme of believing “only in the power of prayer” and “choosing my own preferred way of healing” are both manifestations of the same ill— pride.
To those of us who believe in only-praying our way to healing, could that be pride in our own moral fastidiousness? To those of us who’ve rejected spiritual counsel and hopped from one counsellor to the next, could that be pride in trusting in our own judgment with insufficient surrender or submission?
Perhaps, the key to our healing is surrender and obedience- to let go of our preconceived ideas of what healing should look like, and let God guide us on our own unique journeys. (2 Kings 5:11-16)
The key is trusting God more than ourselves, to put our lives in His hands and to get to know Him for who He is— not the healing we can wrest from Him.
Can we remember Naaman, the leper, who flew into a rage because he wasn’t healed the way he wanted, by a wave of the prophet’s hand, and instead, had to humble himself by dipping himself in a pool?
God is in the counseling room, at the hospital and at the altar when you need help in your mental health. He is at the gym and in your kitchen when you need to nourish your body. He is at the cafe and in your coffee when you need to talk to a friend.
We are mind, body, and soul— and He can meet us at every level, holistically, wholesomely.
I hope this frees you to pursue the journey of healing He has in store for you- guiltlessly.