Biblical Answer

The question "What's the point of going to therapy when it's just going to make me feel worse?" reflects a common misconception about therapy and depression. The misconception is that therapy is only about alleviating physical symptoms, but it's not just about that. Therapy can help individuals deal with the spiritual symptoms of depression, such as guilt, fear, self-loathing, and other distinctly spiritual issues. This is where the Bible comes in, offering a different perspective on suffering and depression. According to the Bible, suffering can either give us to ourselves or destroy us. It's not just about fixing the problem, but about understanding ourselves and our relationship with God.

The Bible teaches that suffering is a part of life, and it's not always about punishment or healing. In fact, Jesus said, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (John 6:29) This means that even in the midst of depression, faith can still be present. It's not about feeling jubilant or happy, but about believing in God's goodness and sovereignty. The Bible also teaches that we are not alone in our suffering. We have a Savior who has gone through similar experiences and has come out the other side. He is our example, our comfort, and our hope.

In terms of therapy, it's not about just going to therapy to feel better or to get fixed. It's about working through our spiritual issues, our guilt, our fear, and our self-loathing. It's about understanding ourselves and our relationship with God. Therapy can be a helpful tool in this process, but it's not the only solution. The Bible teaches us to be on guard against self-pity, grumbling, and complaining. It also teaches us to keep the cross close at hand. By doing so, we can find hope and healing in the midst of our suffering. We can learn to see our suffering as an opportunity to grow and to deepen our relationship with God. As the Bible says, "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)