Many sincere Christians believe that prayer and Bible study alone are sufficient for working through life’s struggles. While these spiritual disciplines are foundational, the Bible itself actually encourages believers to seek wisdom and help from multiple sources.
Biblical Examples of Seeking Counsel
Scripture is filled with examples of godly people seeking practical wisdom beyond divine revelation:
- Moses listened to his father-in-law Jethro’s advice about leadership structure (Exodus 18:13-26)
- David regularly consulted counselors and valued wise advisors
- Paul told Timothy to drink wine for stomach problems (1 Timothy 5:23), using medical knowledge of his day
- Isaiah prescribed a fig poultice for King Hezekiah’s illness (Isaiah 38:21)
- The early church worked collaboratively to solve complex problems (Acts 15)
What Scripture says about asking for help
The Bible encourages seeking multiple sources of wisdom:
“In an abundance of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14)
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17)
God works through people with different gifts to serve the body (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11-12)
James warns against offering only spiritual comfort when practical help is needed (James 2:15-17).
Jesus himself modeled addressing both spiritual AND practical needs. He consistently cared for people’s physical, emotional, and social needs alongside their spiritual ones.
A Biblical response to "Sufficiency" Arguments
Those who advocate for “Bible and prayer only” often cite verses like:
- 2 Peter 1:3 – “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life”
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – Scripture equips us “for every good work”
- Warnings against “worldly wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:20)
These verses are important, but it’s important to understand that they don’t contradict the broader biblical pattern of God working through multiple means:
All Truth is God’s Truth: If Christ is the source of all truth, then valid insights about human nature and healing ultimately derive from Him, whether discovered through psychology, medicine, or other fields.
God Works Through Means: Throughout Scripture, God uses secondary means rather than bypassing them. He used a bronze serpent for healing, mud for Jesus’ miracles, and human agents for His work.
Integration, Not Replacement: The goal isn’t to replace Scripture but to understand life through a biblical lens while utilizing the tools God has made available.
What stops christians from asking for help?
The resistance to seeking help often stems from deeper issues than theology:
- Pride: Admitting we need professional help can feel like admitting failure or inadequate faith
- Fear of vulnerability: Counseling requires exposing our struggles to others
- Avoidance of pain: It’s easier to “pray about it” than do the hard work of processing trauma
- Control: Private spiritual practices feel safer than unpredictable human interactions
Ironically, these barriers reflect the very human condition Scripture describes – our tendency toward self-reliance and fear of exposure.
True spiritual maturity involves the humility to say, “I need more help than I can provide myself, and I trust that God can work through human agents to bring that help.”
The Bible calls us to:
- Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
- Seek wise counsel (Proverbs 15:22)
- Care for practical needs alongside spiritual ones (Matthew 25:35-40)
- Use our gifts to serve the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12)
It's biblical to ask for help!
Prayer and Bible study remain essential, but they work best within a framework of community, wise counsel, and practical help. God’s sufficiency doesn’t exclude the tools He provides through human knowledge and skill – it includes them.
Rather than asking “Does this come from the Bible?” we might ask “Does this align with biblical truth about God, humanity, and flourishing?” When we approach counseling, therapy, or other resources with biblical discernment, we’re not diminishing Christ’s sufficiency – we’re demonstrating it.
The gospel calls us to vulnerability, confession, and interdependence. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is acknowledge our need for help and trust that God’s healing often comes through the messy, uncomfortable, but ultimately beautiful process of human community and care.
Written by Sean Taylor, LMFT, Cornerstone Founder and CEO
Take the Next Step in Your Healing Journey
Talking to someone who understands can make a world of difference. At Cornerstone Christian Counseling, we believe that asking for help is a reflection of God’s plan for us to live in the freedom He’s called us to.
If you feel stuck, worried that prayer or Bible study isn’t “working,” therapy with a Christian counselor can help. With the right support, things really can get better.
Find a Christian Therapist
Research shows that the most impactful change in therapy comes when you feel understood by your therapist, with guidance that truly resonates with you. For this reason, we believe it’s crucial you find a therapist you can connect with—someone who truly “gets you.”
If you need someone who can pray with you, and also provide practical tools and insights to help you move forward, there’s a therapist here for you. Reach out by clicking below.
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