"Turn the Page" Preview 2

I wanted to take one final post to highlight a passage from my new book, Turn the Page: For For Every Soul That’s Been Broken but Is Still Beloved. This book has been such a powerful part of my story and is a written display of the Lord's redeeming work in my life. I pray it is an encouraging, truth-filled invitation to begin again, not by forgetting what hurt you, but by letting God meet you in the middle of it. Today's post comes from Chapter 6: "Jesus and a Therapist"...

"Struggling with your mental health is not a sin, especially after abuse, trauma, or heartbreak. It’s a human response to an inhuman weight. Your anxiety does not disqualify you from God’s love. Your depression is not a sign of spiritual failure. It’s a signal that your mind, body, and soul are crying out for care, and praise God, He has provided tools for that care. Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is make a counseling appointment. Sometimes it’s saying yes to medication that gives your brain room to breathe. Sometimes it’s setting boundaries, saying no, or finally telling someone the truth when they ask, “How are you really doing?” These things aren’t weak. They’re wise. And they might just be the beginning of your breakthrough.

Let me say it clearly: Jesus and therapy are not enemies. Jesus and medication are not rivals. Jesus is the Healer, and He is not offended by the tools that help bring His healing into your daily life. In fact, I believe He delights in your courage to pursue it. We see His heart in Isaiah 61, where the Messiah is described as the One sent “to bind up the brokenhearted… to comfort all who mourn… to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” That is emotional restoration. That is soul-deep, life-altering healing. Jesus came for this.

Recognizing and Fighting Spiritual Warfare

All that said, our healing isn’t just a physical or emotional journey. It’s also a spiritual one. We have a very real enemy who wants to keep us trapped in cycles of shame, fear, and hopelessness. Sometimes, the darkness you’re fighting isn’t just depression; it’s spiritual warfare. Sometimes, the apathy you feel after a spiritual high isn’t just burnout; it’s the enemy trying to snuff out your fire.

Over the years, I’ve come to recognize the spiritual attacks on my life for what they are. For example, I had the opportunity to attend the Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2024. While I was there, I felt the Lord reaffirming His calling on my life. I felt on fire for Him, and my spirit was renewed. However, as soon as I got back, I was hit with brain fog, anxiety, and an overall lack of motivation to spend time with God. To make it worse, I felt guilty for feeling that way.

When this happens, the enemy wants you to blame yourself. We often assume our struggles are all our fault, but what if some of them are actually the result of spiritual sabotage? When we begin to grasp that there’s an intentional attack on us, we start to see our struggle for what it really is. It’s not just emotional fallout. It is a battle.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 

The enemy is strategic. He often comes after your identity, your passions, your thoughts, and even your peace. His lies can sound convincing, like whispers: “You’re not good enough,” or  “God could never use someone like you.” Sometimes the most dangerous lies are the ones that sound almost true.

Just as he tempted Jesus in the wilderness in Matthew 4, the enemy can twist Scripture to confuse and mislead us. He even pulled from God’s own words, quoting Psalm 91 to challenge Jesus, saying, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you…’” He tried to make Jesus doubt His identity, His mission, and God’s timing by taking truth out of context. But Jesus met each temptation with Scripture, faithfully and fully. To the hunger-driven challenge, He replied, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Deuteronomy 8:3). When urged to test God’s protection, He responded, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test’” (Deuteronomy 6:16). And when offered worldly power, He said firmly, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’” (Deuteronomy 6:13).

Even today, the enemy works in similar ways, subtly twisting truth, misusing Scripture, and tempting us to question God’s love, timing, or purpose. He might whisper, “God is holy, so you must be perfect before He can love you.” While it’s true that God is holy, the lie is thinking you must earn His love. Or he might say, “God will protect you, so you should never take risks,” turning God’s faithfulness into fear and hesitation. Sometimes he uses our past mistakes or hurts, saying, “Because this happened, you’re unworthy or broken beyond repair.”

But here’s the truth: Your past may have shaped you, but it does not define you, and it does not cancel God’s redeeming work in your life. When we recognize these half-truths and respond with God’s Word, just as Jesus did, we guard our hearts, minds, and identity in Him. Then, we step into freedom instead of fear. 

God gives us the armor of truth, righteousness, faith, and His Word to fight back (Ephesians 6). That’s why healing must happen on all fronts: the physical, emotional, and spiritual. We don’t get to ignore the enemy and pretend he doesn’t exist, but we also don’t live in fear of him because Jesus has already won.

Still, we need to stay alert. That’s why counseling, medication, prayer, Scripture, and community all matter. They work together. One isn’t a substitute for the other. We don’t put our faith in therapists or medication. We put our faith in God only, but we allow God to work as He sees fit through them. We don’t pray instead of going to therapy; we pray while we go. We don’t take medication and stop seeking God; we take medication and seek Him all the more.

Healing is both/and. Not either/or.

... So whether you’re deep in the valley or just now realizing it’s okay to ask for help, let this chapter be a nudge to keep going. Keep praying. Keep showing up to therapy. Keep clinging to the truth. Keep pursuing healing on every level: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Jesus is in every part of it. He is the source of all healing, no matter the method. He is the power behind every counselor’s wisdom, every medication’s relief, every friend’s embrace, and every prayer you whisper in the night.

You don’t have to choose between faith and help. Choose both."

Turn the Page is available by clicking this LINK or by seaching Turn the Page by Jordyn St.John on Amazon and IngramSpark. If you would, take a moment to share this post and this book with people or ministries who might benefit from it.

May your roots run deep and your faith remain strong! As always, Stay Rooted, my friends! <3