The Hidden Affects Of Religious Dogma Part Six

Religion doesn't teach you to feel; it teaches you to hide your feelings.

Instead of finding support or compassion, you've been told that anxiety, depression, or trauma result from weak faith, sin, or spiritual failure.
In religion, there is often a tendency to bypass personal challenges. Many people who don't grow up in the church are drawn to the space because they are experiencing hurt, pain, and trauma- they view the church as a place to feel and be accepted and to feel safe.
These same people are led to believe that if they have enough faith in God then all their troubles will be taken away.
Many of these individuals had endured significant trauma and abuse before finding the church. They were in a state of emotional upheaval, experiencing bipolar episodes and manic episodes. What they needed was not faith or another story of religious hope but needed therapy and possibly medication to stabilize their emotions. This doesn't mean they would be on medication forever, but it does mean that seeking professional help can bring stability and relief.
When you're led to believe that faith alone is enough, it can be challenging to seek therapeutic support. But it's important to remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It's a validation of your experiences and a step towards healing.
Your brain is foggy; you feel exhausted, not necessarily physically, but mentally you are drained. Over time, this isn't healthy. Instead of seeking support, you endure the fog as if it's a requirement in life. You endure the mist as if that suffering is normal.
You don't ask for support because you view the request as weak. You tell yourself how you are feeling will work itself out; that's the same thing as saying God will work it out.
You feel shame for anxiety-you suppress it.
You tell yourself if you hadn't said this or that if you hadn't done this or that, you wouldn't be feeling scared or having anxiety.
Instead of blaming yourself for your feelings, you can empower yourself by seeking support. It's not about what you said or did; it's about understanding that your feelings are valid and seeking help to navigate them.