Faith, Healing, and the Courage to Begin Again: Natasha’s Story
When life felt overwhelming and her faith seemed to fall short, Natasha discovered that real healing could begin by embracing both spiritual support and mental health care. She shares her honest journey from chaos to wholeness with EEW Magazine Online—proving that nobody has to struggle alone.
Written By Meleasa Harris // EEW Magazine Online
Natasha’s life was a mess, and she knew it. On the outside, she managed to keep up appearances: church on Sundays, polite smiles at work, the occasional family dinner when she could muster the energy.
But underneath, everything was unraveling. The anxiety never let up. The sadness felt bottomless. And the shame about not having it all together, about needing help, was heavier than she could carry.
“I thought faith meant I had to be strong all the time,” Natasha tells EEW Magazine Online. “I thought if I prayed hard enough, I’d just wake up one day and feel better.”
But the prayers didn’t erase her pain. Days blurred into nights. She couldn’t sleep. She snapped at her kids and avoided calls from friends. The guilt grew. Wasn’t she supposed to be more grateful? Didn’t she know God was good, even when life was hard?
One Wednesday evening, Natasha sat in the back of her church, hoping to disappear into the crowd. The pastor’s message cut through her defenses: “Sometimes, faith isn’t about pretending you’re okay. Sometimes, it’s about admitting you’re not and letting God meet you there.”
“I’m learning that it’s okay not to be okay.”
For the first time, Natasha allowed herself to cry. She didn’t just cry, though, she wept. After service, a woman from the congregation found her in the hallway. She listened, prayed with her, and gently suggested—as if she had overheard Natasha’s private prayers— “God can use therapists, too.”
That was the moment something shifted. Natasha had been wanting to pursue help but was afraid to do it. With a little nudge, she found the courage to reach out.
The process taught her an invaluable lesson: faith and mental health care are not in competition. They can work together. She started therapy with a counselor who understood the weight of stigma in the Black community, who spoke her language and respected her faith. Slowly, Natasha learned to name her struggles without shame. She found new strength in scriptures about brokenness and grace. She connected with a support group at church and even began volunteering for mental health awareness campaigns.
Each day wasn’t perfect, but it was honest. And that honesty made room for real healing. “God never left me,” Natasha says. “He walked with me through the darkest places, and He sent people, counselors, friends, my church family, to help me find the way out.”
Her story is proof: You don’t have to choose between faith and mental wellness. You can have both. And there is no shame in reaching for help.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you’re not alone. With education, resources, prayer, and community, healing is possible. Hope is real. And faith can light the way. Reach out to the Association of Christian Counselors to find support that aligns with your faith.
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