Anxiety of Possession. Is medication necessary?

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Many Christians wrestle with their decisions over accepting valid medical therapies, including the use of prescription drugs. The Bible does not give us much on this subject, but if we examine the purposes of prescription drugs we can present an ideal approach to their uses based on biblical principles. We know from Scripture that ill health, disease, and death are the result of sin in the world. Much of Jesus’ earthly ministry involved combatting that curse, as He healed people everywhere He went (see Matthew 15:31). Jesus is the exact representation of God’s being (Hebrews 1:3), and by healing people He showed us God’s compassion and His identity as the Great Physician who will one day restore all of creation to health (Romans 8:18–22).

So, it is clear from Jesus’ ministry that to seek healing is not wrong; in fact, it is very right! Also, Luke, the writer of both the Gospel of Luke and Acts, was a physician (Colossians 4:14). Dr. Luke may not have dispensed prescriptions in the manner that doctors do today, but he was in the business of treating people’s physical ailments, using the medicines and treatments of his day.

In the days before prescription drugs, people sought relief from pain in other ways. Alcohol is mentioned in Proverbs 31:6–7 as being given to the terminally ill and others who suffer. Also, in 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to drink a little wine to relieve his stomach ailment. Since other drugs had not yet been developed, fermented drinks were often used as remedies for pain and suffering, and the use of such analgesics is approved in God’s Word.

Also, we should keep in mind that most of today’s prescription medicines are based on elements occurring naturally in creation. A doctor may prescribe Amoxil, for example, but where did that antibiotic come from? It came from a substance produced by a blue-green mold called Penicillium notatum. Where did the mold come from? God made it. So, we can say that God created the penicillin mold and gave it the useful property of killing infectious bacteria. God then allowed people to discover this property, isolate the acting agent, and purify it for use in the human body. Is it wrong to use God’s own creation to improve the health of humanity? Not at all. In fact, He is glorified in such discoveries.

All of this should help us decide how we should think about prescription drugs. There is nothing wrong with seeking a doctor’s help when we are sick. There is nothing wrong with taking the drugs that doctor prescribes in the way that they are prescribed. Are there dangers and side effects associated with prescription drugs? Yes, of course, and doctors and pharmacists will explain the risks. Is it possible to abuse prescription drugs, overuse them, or develop unwanted dependencies? Yes, and the children of God must never allow themselves to be brought under the habitual control of a substance (see 1 Corinthians 6:12 for this principle stated in a different context).

In the end, a Christian’s use of prescription drugs is between that Christian and the Lord. The Bible does not command the use of medicinal treatments, but it certainly does not forbid it, either. The child of God should care for his or her body as being the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16). This means taking preventative care, maintaining a healthy diet, and getting proper exercise. It also means taking advantage of the wisdom that God has given skilled researchers and physicians. We understand that God is the Healer, no matter by what means He heals, and we give the glory to Him.

hbg_2006 said:

Hi, I've been dealing with anxiety since 2012. My anxiety was at an all time high for about 7 months. I could not be alone, I could not drive, I lost my job. My anxiety revolved around death. That I was going to die or something was going to happen to me. I was just in a constant state of panic and would even have images pop in my head of possession. For 7 months I battled this with the help of pastors and prayer warriors. I have had small attacks here and there but nothing I could not get over. Recently, my anxiety is on the rise again. Thoughts of an evil spirit trying to enter my body and take over has been coming to my mind a lot. So much, that I cry and pray to God to help me with these thoughts, feelings and images. I am not where I should be in my walk with Christ. But I am taking the steps to become closer to him. I am reading my Bible and trying to memorize the verses I read about fear and anxiety. I pray before I read the Bible and after. I was told these thoughts are all in my mind and its a battle of my mind. When these thoughts and feelings come, I pray and recite verses but my mind gets so cloudy I cannot even think. I just cry. My boss said that I should probably look into taking medication as it will help. I feel like If I do take medication, I am telling God that I have no faith in him to help me through this and that I don't believe he will bring me through this. I don't like the feelings I get when my anxiety comes nor the thoughts. I took medicine for about a week when I first got my anxiety and I felt like I was in a cloudy drug bubble. I don't want to feel that way..I want to feel normal. I want to be able to attend church and not have thoughts of possession coming into my mind while I try to listen to the Word or while I am trying to worship. I've been talking to several pastors and each tell me that possession cannot occur as I am a Child of God. God is always with me and he is protecting me. These spirits cannot come in unless I am doing things to invite them in or invite them in. I tell myself this over and over and it feels like the feelings come on stronger. Thus my thought of taking medication as there is some type of in-balance in my mind that will not let me concentrate. Has anyone experienced something like this? Am I letting God down if I take medication to help ease my anxiety?

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If taking medication to treat psychiatric illness means you are letting down God, there are a lot of us doing it. The brain is an organ like any other organ in the body and it can malfunction at times and need medical intervention.

As for the drug bubble, there are more than one classificaio of anti-anxiety meds. The benzos are ones that should only be used occasionally because they are addictive. However, there are other meds that can take the edge off so that you can come down to a level that allows you to address the situations that cause the anxiety and develop ways to cope other than with medications. You have to give these meds time to work and take them regularly ... not only when you are already in an anxiety attack. I am on one that is in the antihistamine family. It made me very sleepy and groggy for about two weeks but it also took the edge off. I now take it daily (I can take it up to 3 times a day if my stress level goes up). I can face the day with it in my system and it doesn't make me sleepy anymore.

You need to talk more to your prescribing professional and therapist. They can teach you about the various medications that they want you to take and what to expect as it works up to a therapeutic level (meaning a level that it works). They can also tell you why they want you to try a particular medication and help you decide if it is time to change or just give your body a little longer to get used to it. Your ability to learn to develop healthy coping mechanism is much improved when you anxiety level isn't sky high. It is also easier to talk to God when your brain is functioning better.

I find that many problems stem from two things. (1) We do not understand God's love enough and (2) We try to work to gain his approval. I'm guessing you have an on again, off again thing with God based on your performance.
I too had a dark time where I had lots of anxiety. It got to the point where I was so fed up that I no longer feared death, and from that moment on, I got better. Still, with all that said, by all means try some different medications to see what can help. There is no condemnation for doing that.