Second, while professional Christian counselors are very helpful, there is a necessary place for people with the gift of mercy to exhibit their gift informally. This can’t be overstated.

Third, I’m glad to see the concern for the undertaking of ministry to people with mental health needs to be done in a biblical fashion. It’s nice for people to treat people nicely, but it’s often done pretentiously. That is, people feel obliged to treat others nicely when there are truths that they need to hear that would go far in helping them heal. Mental illness doesn’t mean that someone can’t smell disingenuousness. Real friends are honest with you and I think that’s a biblical thing.