Lately it feels like the Triune God has gained an additional person: Father, Son, Spirit…and Therapy. The current therapeutic landscape has somehow convinced many of us that therapy has all the answers for the complexities of life. Any adversity is now toxic, disagreement becomes gaslighting, and safe spaces are the only places for humans to build their mental and emotional capacity. So this begs the question: If God’s word is timeless, what does He have to say about this new wave of thinking?

“Every good and perfect gift is from above…” (James 1:17)

When used correctly, therapy is actually a great tool which God has provided us (through professionals and scholarly research) to treat real mental disorders. However, as of late, this tool has become weaponized to label anyone and anything that challenges us in any capacity, in turn devoid of any personal accountability.

God never says we would not experience any mental or emotional hardship. In fact, Jesus says the exact opposite.

“You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

As people of God, one of our greatest strengths should be taking accountability in every facet of life. One of the first things we do once we become a Christian is owning our sinful nature in need of a Savior. God’s people are not cowards, we don’t run from accountability and challenges (2 Timothy 1:7).

When Paul publicly held Peter accountable for his sin, we don’t see Peter dismiss him as “toxic” or something similar (Galatians 2:11-13).

Paul and Barnabas aren’t “narcissists” simply because they disagreed about a ministry decision that caused them to separate (Acts 15:36-39).

God doesn’t send Jesus into a “safe space” wilderness to be tempted spiritually physically mentally and emotionally for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:1-11).

Are mental disorders real? Absolutely. Should these things be dismissed? No. Is God against adversity, conflict, or disagreement? Not at all. But He is against liars, gossips, and slanderers.

“I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.” (Matthew 12:36)

Just because someone is in opposition to us doesn’t give us the authority to falsely label them with these new buzz words. As Jesus said in the scripture above, be careful before speaking emotionally against someone and attempting to slander their character with our words—because one day we will stand before the living God, giving an account for things we may have called them.

Not all uncomfortable conversations are toxic, our feelings are not facts, and people challenging us doesn’t make them unsafe. All of these things have blurred the lines between real hardship/abuse and normal life challenges.

To conclude I leave you with this: Before jumping to assumptions about someone, firstly remind yourself they too are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). Secondly, remember that our own heart is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) so operating merely from feelings can be extremely dangerous and ungodly. And lastly, try asking yourself, “God, in the midst of this difficult situation, how are you growing me?” Because growing through difficulty actually makes us more like Jesus!

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)