I’ve sat on this post for a while now. In fact, I’ve written this post in my head multiple times before I even started this site. Recently though, this has become a talking point in my circles, on my social media feeds, I feel like I have been seeing it everywhere.

Now remember, I’m writing about my experiences and feelings. I am not giving out medical advise. Although, I hope I’m dealing out some decent life advice.

This post is directed almost exclusively at Christians. At church leadership. Towards those in influence. Really, towards anyone who says they love Jesus. Because there’s been a lot of dealing out of the word of truth, and then there’s been dealing out of advice that most are not qualified to give. So let’s dive right in.

Dear Christian, If you are not a doctor, you have no right to speak about anti depressant or anti anxiety medication. Dear Christian, if you have little to no experience with these drugs, you have no right to pronounce judgement on whether or not they should be used and by who. Hear me now: saying “I wouldn’t call it sin if you do use them,” is still inappropriate. Asking what other things a person has tried before starting their medication is inappropriate. Here’s how to measure if it’s appropriate: 1) Does the Bible say anything about it? (Hint: It does NOT). 2) Do you ask these questions of, or say these things to, someone with a broken leg? If the answer to number 2 is also no, then it’s out of line.

For some reason church, we have separated the brain and hormones from the rest of the body. And the church has decided that these things need more prayer and less doctors and less intervention, and I’m here to tell you that’s hogwash. These thoughts, these outdated ideas are DEADLY. Yes, I said it. And as a passionate mama, I tell you why. Women are dying. Women are suffering. Christian moms, pastors wives, missionaries… and I can tell you why. It’s because they are scared of what the church will say if they take anti depressants or anti anxiety medication. They are scared they’ll walk into church and people with little to no training or experience will ask them if they have prayed enough. Or tell them that in 6-8 weeks their symptoms may improve. That it’s not a good idea to run to a specialist. These women have been raised by others who have talked of depression as an exclusively spiritual issue. Maybe sometimes it is. Just like diabetes can be an issue due to an unhealthy relationship with food… (We don’t talk to diabetics like this though. We don’t make them feel less than for using insulin. We certainly don’t tell them to pray to get those blood sugars back down into normal range!) It is also a body issue. A broken system issue.

IF you feel the need to speak with someone about their use of these drugs, you better be a good enough and close enough friend that you have a right to speak into that persons life. If you don’t speak to these people about their other health concerns, if you’re not close enough that they are not sharing their other intimate issues, then you are not close enough to speak on this issue with them, at least not without their personal direct invitation to do so.

I could keep going, but honestly, I shouldn’t have to do that. So let me lay it out plain for you. Christian, especially post-partum Christian mama, if you need to pop that pill, you do it in Jesus name, and you ignore the nonsense from those around you. To those Christians who don’t need to pop a pill to function like a normal human… you keep your mouth shut in Jesus name, and be thankful.

The end.