Jessa Duggar Seewald has been in the spotlight on TLC since she was a teenager thanks to 19 Kids and Counting, and many of her highs and lows were caught on camera. Now 27-years-old and a key figure in Counting On, Jessa has spoken up about battling depression as a Christian. Faith has played a large role in the Duggars' lives over the years, and Jessa is no exception, but she revealed that she struggled with connecting with her faith at times.
In a lengthy Instagram video, Jessa Duggar Seewald opened up, saying:
I felt unsettled, restless, frustrated. Even angry sometimes. I think if Christians were more open about the hard times, I think if Christians were more raw, you might find that more people go through this than you realize. I'm sure some don't experience values quite like others, but it's a real thing and I think that Christians need to be more open about talking about this, because you never know who you might encourage. You never know who else might be in a low spot and your words might be like a balm to their soul, and might help them when they're in a difficult place. There might be different reasons why we experience this.
Jessa Duggar Seewald and her family are devout Baptists, and their beliefs resulted in everything from the women (mostly) not wearing pants to not using birth control to even homeschooling. Based on Jessa's comments about what she later referred to as her "spiritual depression," she believes more openness between Christians could help people who might be hiding their struggles.
Although Jessa Duggar Seewald is happily married with three kids (although no fourth on the way just yet) now, viewers who watched 19 Kids and Counting and/or Counting On know that the Duggar kids have faced their share of external problems and even scandal. According to Jessa now, she may have been dealing with more than fans ever knew.
Fortunately, it sounds like Jessa Duggar Seewald found a way to deal with her "spiritual depression," as she called it, that works for her. The current season of Counting On shows that she has kept busy with her husband, kids, and larger family. In fact, Jessa has been there to help other members of her family in their tough times. She and husband Ben Seewald were part of the Duggar group who flew out to California for Jinger Duggar Vuolo's surprise party, organized by husband Jeremy Vuolo.
Jinger Duggar Vuolo had suffered a devastating miscarriage, and spending time with Jessa Duggar Seewald, their mom, and some sisters clearly helped her out. (In some happy news, Jinger is pregnant again!) Jinger also isn't the only Duggar sister who has been dealing with pregnancy complications, and Jill Duggar is no longer in the mix due to drama with her husband Derick Dillard.
Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth may have a smaller presence on the show moving forward as well, so Jessa Duggar Seewald's role on Counting On could become even bigger. See what happens for Jessa and the rest of the extended Duggar family with new episodes of Counting On, airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on TLC. For some additional viewing options now and in the not-too-distant future, check out our 2020 fall TV premiere schedule!
