During difficult moments, I often reflect on Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (ESV). This verse reminds me that Jesus, in His humanity, understands every struggle we face. While working on an assignment for my Marriage and Family Therapy degree, I began to wonder: What if Jesus, in His humanity, had experienced doubt? Since self-doubt is a personal struggle of mine, I imagined how He might have been cared for in such a moment.
This reflection offers a demonstration—presented with the deepest reverence—of how Jesus could be cared for through narrative therapy in a time of doubt.
If Jesus experienced doubt, narrative therapy might encourage Him to externalize the struggle by naming it “Uncertainty,” helping Him recognize that it is separate from who He is. Reflecting on His relationships with His disciples and His mother Mary could remind Him of His identity and purpose, just as God’s affirmation at His baptism—“This is my Son, whom I love”—did. Jesus could then write a letter to His doubt, acknowledging its presence but affirming that it does not control His mission: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
This question—What if Jesus experienced doubt?—reminds us that even those with great purpose face inner struggles. Challenges rarely come from a single event but often build over time, requiring small steps toward healing. Managing doubt takes time and the support of others.
We aren’t meant to face life’s difficulties alone. Jesus found strength through His relationships, and so can we. If you’re struggling with doubt, reach out to a friend or trusted person. For Christians, we have the assurance that Jesus walks with us through every step. If you need further support, consider seeking a professional therapist. Just like in narrative therapy, your story isn’t over—there is always room for new meaning, healing, and growth.
Here is a longer example of what it looks like for a full treatment plan.
Treatment Plan Using Narrative Therapy for Jesus Christ of the Bible
Case Overview: For this case, we will focus on the period of Jesus Christ’s ministry when he faced mounting opposition, misunderstandings, and rejection from the religious leaders and many of his contemporaries. Despite his divine mission, Jesus dealt with rejection, loneliness, and the burden of his ultimate purpose. Narrative Therapy can be used to explore the external challenges he faced while reinforcing his identity and mission as the Messiah.
Beginning Phase Goals: In the beginning phase of Narrative Therapy, the primary goal is to externalize the problems Jesus faced, such as rejection and misunderstanding, and help him see that these are external to his identity and purpose. The goal would be to help Jesus express and work through his human emotions, separating the external opposition from his divine mission.
Narrative Therapy Interventions:
- Externalizing the Problem: Jesus experienced significant opposition from religious leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees) and misunderstanding from his followers. The therapist would work with Jesus to externalize these problems, perhaps calling them “Rejection” or “Misunderstanding.” For instance, the therapist might ask, “When did Rejection first begin to affect your mission, and how has it made its presence felt?” This would allow Jesus to see that opposition is external to his identity as the Son of God, helping him separate human pain from his divine purpose.
- Mapping the Influence of the Problem: The therapist could explore with Jesus how “Rejection” and “Misunderstanding” have impacted his relationships, ministry, and emotions. This mapping exercise would help Jesus understand the weight of the challenges while reinforcing the idea that they do not define his mission or identity. For example, “How has rejection from those around you affected your sense of your purpose?”
Middle Phase Goals: In the middle phase, the focus is on deconstructing the problem-saturated story and co-creating a preferred narrative. For Jesus, this involves focusing on his higher mission and divine identity while acknowledging his emotional experience as fully human. The narrative would emphasize his faithfulness, love, and ultimate victory over death and opposition.
Narrative Therapy Interventions:
- Thickening the Narrative: The therapist would help Jesus identify moments when he experienced love, support, and divine affirmation, despite the opposition. For instance, the therapist might ask, “Can you tell me about a time when, despite opposition, you were reaffirmed in your mission?” This might include moments such as the voice of God at his baptism (“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”) or the support from his closest disciples like Peter, James, and John. These moments would help reinforce a narrative of divine purpose and faithfulness.
- Re-Membering Conversations: In this intervention, the therapist would invite Jesus to reflect on key figures who have been influential in shaping his mission. These might include figures like John the Baptist, who heralded his coming, or his mother, Mary, who nurtured him in his early years. Re-membering these significant figures would help Jesus connect to the broader support he has received, even amidst adversity.
Late Phase Goals: In the late phase, the goal is to solidify the preferred narrative and help Jesus sustain his mission in the face of future trials, particularly his eventual crucifixion. The focus would be on ensuring that Jesus can continue living out his purpose, fully connected to his divine identity, despite the ultimate sacrifice he would make.
Narrative Therapy Interventions:
- Definitional Ceremony: Jesus might engage in a definitional ceremony with his closest disciples. Here, they would reflect on their experience of his life and ministry, reinforcing his identity and affirming his role as their teacher and savior. This process would deepen the preferred narrative and allow others to affirm the meaning and impact of Jesus’ life and message.
- Letter Writing to the Problem: Jesus might be invited to write a letter to “Rejection” or “Misunderstanding,” detailing the ways these challenges have tried to disrupt his mission and the boundaries he now sets with them. By externalizing these problems in writing, Jesus could express his frustration and pain, but ultimately reaffirm his mission, saying, “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This letter would serve as a declaration of victory over the opposition he faced.
Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy for Jesus Christ:
Narrative Therapy would be highly effective in reinforcing Jesus’ divine purpose while addressing his human experiences of pain, rejection, and misunderstanding. By externalizing these struggles, Jesus could process the emotional toll without losing sight of his mission. Narrative Therapy’s focus on retelling one’s story aligns well with the way Jesus often used parables and narratives to communicate deeper truths. This therapeutic approach could help Jesus strengthen his preferred narrative of being the Messiah, reaffirming his identity and divine purpose despite the opposition he faced.
Furthermore, the interventions used in Narrative Therapy, such as thickening the narrative and re-membering conversations, would resonate with Jesus’ own use of stories and relationships to convey his message. This approach would empower him to continue his mission with renewed strength, understanding that the obstacles he faced were external to his identity and his ultimate victory over death and sin.
In conclusion, Narrative Therapy would offer Jesus a means to externalize and address the human challenges he faced while reinforcing his divine purpose, ultimately supporting him in staying true to his mission of salvation.