Do I even believe?

[Christownsme]

I can't stand this mental illness. I really wonder if I believe with faith or not. I have no idea anymore. I can't find comfort anywhere. Please someone help. It's too hard for me to cope with.

 

[mum24]

I sooooo understand what you are going through. I struggle with this myself. All I can tell you is what I tell my children.... That faith is a choice, a decision you make based on facts whether to believe in God or not.. It has nothing to do with feelings, because our feelings change soo much an so often, especially with mental illness. I may never feel God's presence because of this sickness, but I can still have faith because it's a choice, an act of the will, and I can observe God in the world (this is easier when I'm not ill). I hate mental illness. It tortures me. I hate it I hate it. I feel for you. Don't give up. If you want to talk I'm here. Mental illness sucks but there is a promise of a new life with no illness or tears coming and we mustn't give up.

 

[Christownsme]

I sooooo understand what you are going through. I struggle with this myself. All I can tell you is what I tell my children.... That faith is a choice, a decision you make based on facts whether to believe in God or not.. It has nothing to do with feelings, because our feelings change soo much an so often, especially with mental illness. I may never feel God's presence because of this sickness, but I can still have faith because it's a choice, an act of the will, and I can observe God in the world (this is easier when I'm not ill). I hate mental illness. It tortures me. I hate it I hate it. I feel for you. Don't give up. If you want to talk I'm here. Mental illness sucks but there is a promise of a new life with no illness or tears coming and we mustn't give up.

Thanks so much for your response. It's true, isn't it, when you say "I may never feel God's presence because of this sickness," - people don't understand that. But you're right, faith is a choice, an act of the will which I believe I can do too. I can choose to place my small amount of trust resource in Jesus Christ. A small amount of trust in a reliable source is better than a lot of trust in an unreliable source of trust.

 

[mum24]

Yes... Faith as small as a mustard seed is enough... His grace is sufficient for us. I'm reminding myself as I type these things. I so need to remember them too. I'm glad He is great and kind cuz I really need that right now. Keep keeping on!

 

[madison1101]

I have been discouraged at times with my mental illnesses. But, I have learned to rebuke the devil, and listen to the Truth of God's word. I attend a Ladies Bible study, where I am not only digging into His Word, but also participating in social support with women who encourage me, and care about me. I am also in a discipleship relationship with a mature, loving Christian friend, who not only reminds me of God's never ending love and compassion, but also holding me accountable to believing the Truth of what God says in His Word.

When I went through my horrible divorce, I was in the pits of a depression where I felt like my life had ended. Not only was I rejected by my husband of 25 years, but that same year, all three of my children moved away either to college, graduate school, or marriage. Empty nest syndrome. My discipleship friend gave me Jeremiah 29:11, which I wrote on my screensaver, and on signs all over my house. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." There were times when all I could do was pray, "Lord, help me believe there is hope for me, and a future in You."

God bless.

Trish

 

[Tommy123]

In Psalm 139 I found these words... "for you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb... I am... wonderfully made"

 

[Yusuphhai]

Hello. on my opinion, the symptoms of Depression or Mania are not my enemy. Certainly the devils want to destroy me by the symptoms, but the Lord also wants to let me learn balance by the symptoms. In my case, if I was not a patient of BP, I would commit much more sins because I was strong in soul. God has his schedule to heal me until I am completely recovered later. Even if I still have symptoms now I need learn to live a life with the symptoms together. I think if we have learnt what God wants us to learn, He will get rid of the symptoms. If when I die I still have the symptoms, I would say: I can not understand the mystery of Him, but His Will and Love is much higher than I can imagine.

Wish you all a complete healing with pure heart and strong mind to trust Him.

 

[ShadowsChild]

You know, I feel like the antogist in these threads, and I don't mean to be...
But I am SO there Christownsme. It's something I have battled with since I was diagnosed at 16. The struggle is why I turned to the occult (and probably why I still fee stuck there)

Others have sad that faith is a choice, and to a point - they are right. But we as people who are bi-polar aren't always known for our excellent decision making. So where does that leave you? In essence, I really don't know.

Just know that you are not alone in this, and if you ever want to vent to someone without getting what can seem a text-book christian response (and plz no one hate me for that!) feel free to pm me. I will respond what I can, but know I will always listen

Keep fighting the fight Christowns.. cause somedays that's all we can do.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

When we are struggling so much it can be so hard to feel like our faith is there. I learned, the hard way, that at times like this we have to draw closer to God. We can't just be close to him when things are good. He is there during the bad times too. Pray,pray,pray. Find a prayer partner. Find someone at your church to reach out to. Go to your Pastor and explain what is going on and that you need support. Dig into God's word.

I really really suggest looking into these booklets. They are small and get right to the point. I love them and carry them with me so I can share them anytime someone needs them. There are tons, even more than on Amazon.
Amazon.com: Resources for Changing Lives: Books

 

[ShadowsChild]

one little problem Dianna.. lease in regards to a prayer partner/pastor

... what if one isn't connected into a church.

I mean, I get that answer so often and it just wants make me pull out my hair! Cause I for one, am not connected to any church. The few I was connected to asked me to leave for one reason or another.
Now, I don't know if Christownsme, has that issue. But when people say stuff such as mentioned - do you ever pause to think that some people aren't that lucky????

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

There are prayer partners here. You can go to the prayer section and there is a sub- forum, you can ask us here to be a prayer partner, there are Chaplin sections here. There are also online ministries that are great for people who do not have a church to go to.

 

[madison1101]

You know, I feel like the antogist in these threads, and I don't mean to be...
But I am SO there Christownsme. It's something I have battled with since I was diagnosed at 16. The struggle is why I turned to the occult (and probably why I still fee stuck there)

Others have sad that faith is a choice, and to a point - they are right. But we as people who are bi-polar aren't always known for our excellent decision making. So where does that leave you? In essence, I really don't know.

Just know that you are not alone in this, and if you ever want to vent to someone without getting what can seem a text-book christian response (and plz no one hate me for that!) feel free to pm me. I will respond what I can, but know I will always listen

Keep fighting the fight Christowns.. cause somedays that's all we can do.

ShadowsChild: If Christownsme did not want Christian responses, they would not have come to a Christian forum for Bipolar Disorder. I empathize with the whole struggle of days when my faith is struggling, and then times when I am stable and can see the hand of God cradling me with His love. Learning more about Him, and choosing to believe the Truth of His Word, rather than the lies the world and my mental illness tell me has given me more times of peace, and less episodes of either the pits of Hell depression, or the wildly self-destructive manic episodes. They do not go away completely, but I am more stable when I am grounded in Truth, and rebuking the enemy.

Jesus experienced every temptation that we experience, and scripture says He knows how we feel when we are tempted. When Satan tempted Him after His forty day fast, He rebuked him with scripture. If I am going to stand a chance of making it in this world, I must know what the Bible teaches about God and me, and God's love for me.

 

[Christownsme]

ShadowsChild: If Christownsme did not want Christian responses, they would not have come to a Christian forum for Bipolar Disorder. I empathize with the whole struggle of days when my faith is struggling, and then times when I am stable and can see the hand of God cradling me with His love. Learning more about Him, and choosing to believe the Truth of His Word, rather than the lies the world and my mental illness tell me has given me more times of peace, and less episodes of either the pits of Hell depression, or the wildly self-destructive manic episodes. They do not go away completely, but I am more stable when I am grounded in Truth, and rebuking the enemy.

Jesus experienced every temptation that we experience, and scripture says He knows how we feel when we are tempted. When Satan tempted Him after His forty day fast, He rebuked him with scripture. If I am going to stand a chance of making it in this world, I must know what the Bible teaches about God and me, and God's love for me.

I agree, I am more stable when I am grounded in truth. I already know what the truth is, and what good is putting a bandaid around a wound, by pretending to believe in lies when you really believe in the truth? It's nonsense.

I got some closure on this anyway, the doctor prescribed some Prozac which is helping me. In fact what is helping me most is the fact that I'm "seeing" the crossroads of faith now.. and we have such a vast rich supply of grace available to us, that we know what to do. We may not be able to reverse consequences of our sins, but God walks through the troubled waters with us.