I have a question, please?

[newbeliever02072005]

I have a question, please?

I was wondering......If we are to find strength in the Lord and the word that He has provided for us here on earth, would it be considered betraying God if you relied on medication to help you along the rough spots? I recently have been taken off my medication and I am starting to see signs of the "old me". I want to gain strength in the Lord Jesus, but I am a new christian of only 3 months and I am not scripture savvy.
I am trying very hard to keep focused on God...( keep music playing in the back ground, read the bible and devotions, spend time on CF) . I struggle everyday to remember that I can do all things through the Lord Jesus Christ....but it sure was easier when I was on the meds. I seem to be rambling here with really no clear defination of my needs...but I just feel conflicted at the moment and not sure how to get help to my rambling thoughts.

God Bless,
newbeliever

 

[KittiK]

Newbeliever....I see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be on meds if they make you feel right. It is not against the scripture to take them. Many many of us here are on med....some are not. If it's what your doctor prescribed for you and they make you feel better about yourself, etc. Then take them. They help.

 

[newbeliever02072005]

Newbeliever....I see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't be on meds if they make you feel right. It is not against the scripture to take them. Many many of us here are on med....some are not. If it's what your doctor prescribed for you and they make you feel better about yourself, etc. Then take them. They help.

If I go back on the meds isn't that me telling God that I am not giving Him a chance to guide me, to strengthen me and to heal me?

 

[KittiK]

No, to me it's not. In my belief, I see that all things are here because of Him. He uses all to help us, to guide us, to be the best we can be. If that requires meds, then so be it. But you have to take into account religious differences, some religions do not allow for such things. What I am giving you is advice based on *my* belief, not yours. It it ultimately you who has to make the call.....

 

[newbeliever02072005]

No, to me it's not. In my belief, I see that all things are here because of Him. He uses all to help us, to guide us, to be the best we can be. If that requires meds, then so be it. But you have to take into account religious differences, some religions do not allow for such things. What I am giving you is advice based on *my* belief, not yours. It it ultimately you who has to make the call.....

I see what you are saying , you can only give advice according to your experiences. I am a very new christian ( 3 months) and I am trying to figure out how to put God first before all my decisions with my life. This depression thing is a biggie for me. When I came to the Lord I was on medication. My biggest fear was that when I went off of the meds that it was the meds that made me feel better and not the new path in life I was on. I am not in the full blown depression like I was in December, Thank God for that. Today I just have been feeling down and every thought of mine is going and going ...creating a big ole snowball. That was one of the things that spiraled me downward. I just dont' want to go there anymore. I have the Lord in my life and I want to be happy. Maybe I am just being paranoid and taking a little low spot as the worst is just around the corner. But I am not sure. How do you know?

newbeliever

 

[KittiK]

You know by listening to your heart. I can guarantee you that God wants you to feel the best you possibly can. I know several Christians that are on meds, go to curch and feel awe-some in doing it. I have a phrase...I call it "soul-tired". It means that even your soul is exhausted from trying to maintain through the mental train wrecks that happen in the low spots. you get dragged down, pulled apart and mentally thrashed sometimes. This may sound pretty 'out-there' and hopefully no one will be offended by it.....but.....how can you be all you can for God...if you are not all you can for yourself?
I don't think He will be upset at you, or even give it another thought if you decide to take meds. Prayer and focus can get you along way...but the meds might make it easier. Again, I say that if *my* doctor gave *me* meds, and they made the focus easier, the prayer more effective, and the life manageable...*I'd* take them in a heartbeat.

 

[none the wiser]

The best advice I can give is to pray about it. But I tend to agree with KittiK...if the meds are making you feel better, then you should take them. You accepted the Lord while you were on them, as I understand it...and God wants you to be happy, and depression not only makes you unhappy, but it could be dangerous. As one who suffers from a bit of depression sometimes, I would also add that it was alot harder for me to strengthen my walk with God when I was depressed. I hope things get better

 

[NJA]

newb - you speak of strength, understanding and remembering... Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will provide all these things to those that receive Him and learn to feed from Him . . . have you *actually* received the Holy Spirit as detailed in the bible ?

(Read Acts 1v8, 2v4, 33, 39; 10v44-46...)

 

[SeekAnd]

Hey newbeliever!

Depression is medical illness. I have suffered from it in one way or another for over 25 years.
I have had asthma my whole life too.
I dont understand why people see one as a weakness and the other as an illness.
Pehaps people are just even in this time of easy access to information choosing to remain ignorant and holding on to uninformed beliefs. It is even discriminatory.
I have been baptised in the Holy Spirit and been able to Speak in toungues for 20 years.
That has not kept me from having asthma attacks.
I have still suffered from depression.

Would God want me to not take medicine for either one when I need it?
Didnt God provide the medicines we use?
After pentecost didnt people still have to eat and drink to stay alive?
Did they stop using boats to get across the water because Jesus walked on water? Should christians not use bandaids? Should christians not use crutches if they break their leg?

I kinda think God might be a little disappointed if we didnt use all the resources He has provided for our well being.
Everything man has ever made came from things God put here on earth.
Our great "discoveries" were there even before we figured them out.

I have no children but if one of mine was hurt I would avail myself of everything to help them! Because I love them I would also teach them how to take care of themselves. Would a loving God do anything less?

When you accept Christ as your savior you get the Holy Spirit too. I think at even at three months you know you feel different. You probably look at the world and your place in it differently too. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.

God Bless you as you continue to grow in Christ. I do know that the more I focus on God and less on myself the better I feel. But, depression is more than just feelings. And so is salvation.

I pray that you will be able to discern which advice you are offered rings true.
Scott

 

[Alive again]

I love Seekand answers. God provides the knowledge of doctors and those who develop meds to help us. I speak as someone who has depression. I have been a Christian since I was a child. I take meds. They don't help me alot, but they help some. Check out the recovery threads. I have had other Christians accuse me of not being saved because I didn't have the "Joy" of the Spririt, of being demon possessed etc over the years. But I have never had judgement fromJesus or God like this, Only from man. I have learned that true joy is part of my life and is very different from the fleeting feeling of happiness that we as man confuse it with. I know I am a Christian. Iknow God created me with a medical condition/ a physical difference in how my brain processes chemicals tha my medications treat. Can God guide me and strengthen me? You bet. Do meds interfere with that? Sorry, my God is bigger than any pill. Could Gos heal me? Yep!!!! Has He? Nope. Will He? I don't know. All I can do is continue to learn about Him and follow Him the best way I know how. Continue to learn and grow. God is a God who loves you, created you the way you are. Do I stil sin? Yep! Do I need to confess it and try to change? Yep! No different than anybody else. Is it forgiven? Yep! Check out the Bible!!!

I have found books by Neil Anderse- The Bondage Breaker very helpful to me to sort out God's truth from man's truth and the things Satan is trying to throw in my way to make me stumble. You might like it. Also check out the depression forum on this website. It's very helpful.

Don't meant to make this too long or simplistic, but I hope this helps. Feel free to pm me.

 

[newbeliever02072005]

Thank you all sooo much for taking the time out to talk with me. That in itself has been a tremendous help to me. I am a stay at home mom and don't get any interaction from others. I go to a church but is still trying to form friendships with people. That takes time to get to that comfort level of "spilling your guts" to someone. Up until three months ago I truly was a hermit and didn't socialize with people. So this is all new to me. Living with the Holy Spirt (the new conscience), The Lord, going to church, meeting &socializing with people, trying to be the spirtual leader in my home (my husband does not believe in salvation), finding an affective way to study the bible (still working on that ). Just so much to deal with and I get over whelmed with it all. Its just to much stimulation all at once. Going from 0 to 60 in a second. I hope I don't sound like I regret it or am complaining. Just explaining my thoughts I suppose. I love what the Lord has done for me in my life. Took me from being suicidal to finding the courage in myself to walk out on my own and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you God! I guess that is why I got started this morning about being conflicted on betraying what God has done for me. I so desparately want to please the Lord Almighty. He deserves nothing less. I am going to keep an eye (trying not to focus on it) on how I feel. I think I might have been just panicking letting my thoughts get the best of me...or was it satan doing that to me?....yea , probably satan...grrrrr However, if it wasn't him reeking havoc I will consider going back on the medications. I truly don't want to get distracted from the real focus in my life....The Lord God Almighty!

Thank you so much~~~KittiK, none the wiser, NJA, SeeAnd & Alive Again you all have been very helpful, thoughtful & kind in your words of advice and scriptures.

I'll check in , in the morning and let you how I feel tomorrow morning. I am going to receit and re-read the scriputre Psalm 118:24.

 

[none the wiser]

Wow...you have alot on your plate! And it's hard for me to open up to people too...it takes time to form new friendships. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say if you need anything, just PM us

 

[NJA]

newb - please re-read the scriptures I gave you carefully and if you find you have not received what it descruibes you are still *in the flesh*, spiritually unregenerated and blind to the New Life. Just because you believe does not mean you have received the Holy Spirit ! - see also Acts 8v12-16, 19v1-6.

 

[newbeliever02072005]

Good Morning,

Just wanted to check in and let you know how I was doing today. I feel much better. I wanted to share a link that I have to a poem about strength in God. Here it is : http://www.bear-peaches.com/StrengthGuidance.html I read this, this morning and it just made me smile. What a great way to start the day

I started a thread over in the B/A forum if you like you can check it out, its : http://www.christianforums.com/t1630226-thank-god-today-for.html Its a thread that reminds me to be thankful to the Lord Almighty even when I have bad days like yesterday. If I can write something down even when I don't want to , I have a visual to go to.

Thank you all again for your kindness!

God Bless!
newbeliever

 

[DannyB]

Good Morning. I really want to add my two cents on this.

It sounds like you have asked God to heal you and you are afraid that by taking the meds that you would be showing a lack of faith. This could not be further from the truth.

God heals when he chooses and may never heal you of this. If he does not, then you must accept that he has a plan for you and he may need you to help others.

God is not a "genie" that grants wishes. Just because you ask him for something does not mean that your interpretation of what you are asking for and his are the same. We all say "Amen" at the close of our prayers. "Amen" literally means "let your will be done".

God is the master of the universe. His power is all encompassing, BUT....yes, there is a "but" and that is that God decides in his own perfect timing how things go in the universe.

"All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord".

Sometimes we have to accept some things that we don't like or even understand and chalk it up to God's overall plan.

True story:

A diabetic lady went to see Oral Roberts and he supposedly, through the divine power of God, healed her of her diabetes. The show was taped in advance for television. She "accepted" her healing and went on faith that it was real. She stopped taking her insulin completely.

Guess what?! The very day that the show aired on TV displaying her "miraculous healing" -she died.

We don't order God around. If God chooses to heal you then you will know it.

If you really want to show your faith....Take your medication. Go through what God is putting you through and you will eventually understand why he needs you to do it.

God is good and His plan works in His perfect timing and is always for our own good. You'll see!

 

[newbeliever02072005]

Good Morning. I really want to add my two cents on this.

Ok,

It sounds like you have asked God to heal you and you are afraid that by taking the meds that you would be showing a lack of faith. This could not be further from the truth.

I have been asking God to help me with a lot of stuff that has caused my depression. For those are some of the reasons that I dedicated my life to God. He worked to heal me of some pain I had suffered. For that reason is why I don't want to betray Him. I know this may sound silly, but for me I feel like a pre-schooler in a college atomshphere. Seems like everyone around me is so mature and farther along in their spiritual walk then me. I get these doubts about what I can and can't or what I should or shouldn't do with my life now. I am so eager to learn all that I can about the bible, about God and about the Lord Jesus Christ. There is excitement in my life and I truly , truly enjoy it! I don't want to loose that.

God heals when he chooses and may never heal you of this. If he does not, then you must accept that he has a plan for you and he may need you to help others. ...... Just because you ask him for something does not mean that your interpretation of what you are asking for and his are the same....

I see what you are saying, and you are right how could I possibly know what Gods will is for me.

We don't order God around. If God chooses to heal you then you will know it.

If you really want to show your faith....Take your medication. Go through what God is putting you through and you will eventually understand why he needs you to do it.

God is good and His plan works in His perfect timing and is always for our own good. You'll see!

In other words....STOP worrying, START living, and ACCEPT what life throws at you so you don't interupt Gods will. I am going to keep an eye on myself. I don't think I need the meds. Because today I am feeling great! I have a husband that is enjoying this "new found me" and I seriously doubt he will let me spiral downward the way I was before. He will let me know if I am getting crazy, but I think I will be strong enough to know when I need the medication. I have the Lord Jesus watching my back this time around


Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me, it was a help and I enjoyed hearing your words.

God Bless!
newbeliever

 

[EvangeliGirl]

Dear NewBeliever,

I praise God for your salvation and for my opportunity to hear your story. I can see that the Lord has given you much faith and strength. You are wise to seek Godly counsel and I pray that you will be safely led into the truth.

I myself have been a Christian for over thirteen years and have dealt with a diagnosis of bipolar since I was seventeen. I found CF at the beginning of the month as I sought online support while I am at home withdrawing from psychiatric meds. Did you take yourself off the medication, or are you under the supervision of a doctor? It is very important that you dont do this on your own. You cannot base your faith or spiritual success on how you feel from day to day. How long ago did you stop the medication, what was your dosage and did you gradually wean off? How long were you on them? Based on these and other factors, the severity of your withdrawal will vary, but there will be physical and mental symptoms that will noticably last for months. You must be prepared and able to keep this in perspective. Please do not focus on Satan and how he may be attacking you. It is imperative that you focus only on Christ. Trust in Him to take care of you and protect you. It is His battle. As long as you see your struggles in light of the devil, Christ will not be able to take you through the healing He has for you. Pray to Christ to protect you, that is all you need.

I am glad you have found CF but be careful here. There are 'wolves in sheep clothing', and people who have a lot of pride and dish out there advice without being able to discern what your best interest is. There are also many wounded people that will not be able to tell you anything but what they wish to hear for themselves. Even as Christians, there are many emotional and psychological barriers to discerning the voice of God. We do not have enough sound Christian leaders to do much about this problem.

I may seem young and presumptuous, but I am very cautious about what I say and when I say them. There is a prayer I have written in my journal, "Voice Cry Out..." that may helpful for you. I would love to share with you what I believe to be the most Christ-centered ministries that understand the kind of situation you are in. I could also speak more with you about depression and pscyhiatric meds from a spiritual perspective as well as provide highly qualified information from a medical perspective. However, I do not want to seem pushy and leave the offer open to you. Please feel free tp reply or PM me. If youd like to read my journal, go into my profile and search my posts for "Voice Cry Out..."

Love in Christ,
EvangeliGirl

 

[Dee235]

I see no reason that you shouldn't be on medication. The Lord gave certain plants healing powers for us to use and he also gave doctors and pharmacists the ability to discover the pills etc that can help heal us.

 

[DannyB]

If you don't absolutely have to be on the meds then DON'T take them!

 

[SeekAnd]

If you don't absolutely have to be on the meds then DON'T take them!

I really agree with this guy. If there is any way you can avoid meds try.
Remember that psych meds are medicine and not "drugs" if you know what I mean. But they are extremely hard to get right. I have heard psych meds described as ingrediants for making a cake; It sometimes takes a little of this and a pinch of that to get the recipe just right. Every doctor will want you to be on as few meds as possible. Always keep in mind that it is not some kind of personal or spiritual failing to need them.
Im sure this is all confusing and a little bit scary to you. I have too much experience with these things but I know I am continually learing.
Something that has helped me is to educate myself on depression. It kinda lets me feel more in control of uncontrolable circumstances.
Please remember that there are trained professionals to help you best with medical needs and there are fellow suffering christians to help you with the rest.
God Bless You,
Scott