hi

[heislord]

Hi everyone. I am new to Christian Forums. Was happy to see boards for things like bipolar. I am 31, married, dx of bipolar 2. I am on meds. I have had a pastor tell me once that I had no faith b/c I was on meds. Luckily I know better now.

~*~Dianna~*~

 

[rushingwind62]

Dianna,
I am glad to hear you are more rooted than those people who tell you that you have no faith. I too am dx'ed with bi polar disorder and have only been on meds since 2003. I went my whole life undx'ed and when I found out I was bi polar it was a blessing in disguise to me. I new it had nothing to do with or about my faith. It was a medical condition that actually had a name and could be treated with meds. People who say you have no faith are simply judging....The Word says we will have trials and tribulations , sickness and death, and Eccl 3 says everything under the sun has a time and place. And as long as we are in this world we will have and go through these things. People like that make me angry and tend to foget that even Luke was Doctor. I do believe God heals but sometimes He chooses medications and surgeons to do His will or He would not call and lead them into that field of care and ministry. And it is a ministry if the Dr is in the right frame of mind and not in it for financial gain.....welcome to the group. Rob

 

[NewCovenant]

Dianna, welcome. I'm so glad you are here. Listen to Rob, he's right. I've had the same problem. I've actually left churches because of people who told me that I have no faith, or to get off my meds... These are, of course, the same folks who are on insulin or blood pressure medication (or chemo!). Let's see THEM go off their medication, or tell them they are short on faith and that's why they are sick... Jesus said it's the sick that need a physician, and BPD is a recognized medical diagnosis. Your pastor really should know that.

 

[Alive again]

Welcome!! I do not have much time to post (counseling appt), but wante dto say Hi. I also have bp2, so feel free to pm me anytime. You will find much love and support here.

 

[vibrant]

welcome

 

[tiredmom]

Welcome! I think you'll find here a lot of good folks, who understand, and are good listeners and prayer warriors. There is a lot of good fellowship and edification to be found here.

I too have been diagnosed as bipolar, after a lot of time spent with no dx or an incorrect dx. I'm a 41 year old mom with a wonderful hubby and three great kids. I'm a stay at home mom, an artist, writer, and horsewoman.

My recent (last year) dx of bipolar now explains a lot of my life, and actually has been somewhat of a relief. (The jury's still undecided as to whether I'm BP I or II...but then again, any of it is annoying and problematic, right?) However, it's not without a new challenge-- learning to live in spite of it, AND trying to reconcile my faith with a mental illness that is very much a physical illness...that is the part most people don't get-- that a mental illness is not some "weakness in character", but is a real affliction of a vital physical organ in our bodies. Without the brain, none of the others function. With a damaged or incorrectly functioning brain, everything else is affected somehow.

I too went through that business of dealing with a church that was anti-mental illness/anti-medication (as far as mental health issues go). It was heartbreaking, and only added to the stigma. Now, thankfully, I live in a new town and state, am attending a wonderful caring church, with Biblical teaching and a caring staff and congregation. (It's actually taking a little getting used to, given my past experiences!) I am slowly overcoming the stigma, and finally, my medication seems to be helping . I am reading and researching a lot, though not as much in the beginning, because i am now learning to get on with my life in spite of my affliction. Hopefully, a remission has occurred. God is very good, and I know someday, His way, I will be healed of it, or He will allow me to continue in it for His purposes. I'm okay with that now. (See my recent post in this board, about encouraging words from the Bible.)

Anyhow, welcome, and I hope that you will find comfort and friendship and even some advice for living, here in these forums. God bless you! Feel free to PM me if you ever need to talk about something.

~~Laurie