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 Bible teaches us that suffering, including depression, is a part of life, and that it can either give us to ourselves or destroy us (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Therapy can help alleviate physical symptoms of depression, but it does not treat the spiritual symptoms such as guilt, fear, self-loathing, and other distinctly spiritual symptoms. However, therapy can provide a safe space to explore these spiritual symptoms and to develop a deeper understanding of oneself and one's relationship with God.

The misconception that therapy will only make someone feel worse is often rooted in a faulty theology of suffering. This theology assumes that God's plan for our lives is to heal us from all suffering, and that if we are suffering, it must be because God is not working in our lives. However, this is not a biblical understanding of suffering. The Bible teaches us that God is sovereign over all creation, and that He uses suffering to teach us about Himself and ourselves (Rom. 5:3-5). Therapy can help us to understand this sovereign work of God in our lives and to develop a deeper trust in His goodness and love.

Ultimately, the point of going to therapy is not to feel better, but to engage with one's suffering in a way that is grounded in a biblical understanding of God's sovereignty and love. This means being willing to explore the spiritual dimensions of one's suffering, and to develop a deeper understanding of oneself and one's relationship with God. Therapy can provide a safe space to do this, and can help individuals to develop the resources they need to navigate their suffering in a way that is faithful to God's Word. As one who has struggled with depression, it is possible to find hope and light in the midst of darkness, and to develop a deeper understanding of God's purposes in our lives (2 Cor. 4:16-18).