Meds Vs. Faith

[angeliz]

Let me just ask this in a direct ???
Is it wrong to chose to go off medication and trust in Jesus for complete healing or direction?
My Pastor believes than medication is not the answer for depression or anxiety or such....I have been on Wellbutrin since 2001 and ativan as well. I was diagnosed with Severe Depression and hosptialized. In 03 my son died at 20yrs old. In 06 my mom. I have been on a emotional rollercoaster. I seem to have more depression and anxiety days than "good" days. Its like at times I feel my depression "lift" and I feel "normal" but with energy, happiness, excitement that I feel good and like I can say i want to plan on now getting a job or go back to school. Then, the days comes I sink again. Sometimes, I can feel my emotions change in my head..does that make sense to anyone? I can feel ok one minute and then I will begin to feel extreamly irritable or start feeling "low". My Clinical Pshychologist insist it isnt BP. He stil says PTSD and Depression/anxiety.
Im getting off my origianl reason to post. Can our tru FAITH in Jesus heal us you think?

 

[KTKat]

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, and most recently depression. I tried taking medication, lexapro to be exact, and it didn't work for me. I had really bad side effects that were pretty traumatizing. So since then I have been relying on prayer and my faith. I have my good days and bad days, but I think it really does help. But unlike myself, some people can handle medication, and need it. So I think it depends on the person and their diagnosis. But I would also say, don't completely rely on medication, You have to put all your trust in God.
God Bless
Kat

 

[Mr.Cheese]

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[Alive again]

I believe that meds alone will not help, you must also work with your faith, with a counselor, whatever on your"issues" for me it has been a lot of looking at TRUTH! And the only place I can rely on finding truth is God His Word. I personally do not feel meds say you do not have faith. A diabetic does not stop insulin because they have faith, same with someone with COPD (breathing issues) Heart patients, how about low thyroid. Let's get real. There was only one man at the pool healed that day and not by the angel stirring the waters. Why does God heal some and not others. I do not know, Does God still heal today, yes I believes so. Does God leave everyone else with an illness or injury or disability as judged as not enough faith! That just does not sound consistent with the teachings of the Bible. Think this through carefully and prayer deeply about it before making your decision.

Know you are welcome here irregardless of your decision. Know also that your grief is real and difficult. Know also that your story rings very familiar to me. Feel free to post here or pm me!

 

[bipolarbear]

I belive God dosen't make mistakes!!! I belive He created each of us uniquely diffrent, adn in His immage according to His will. I believe deeply in faith! I also belive God gave us knowldge and wisdom concerning many things, meds included. Knowledge to better our human existance! He gifted us life, free will, adn unconditional love just to name a few! If meds help, use them, but I feel if you expect / rely on God to completely heal you and fix all that is "wrong" in your life, you are settign yourself up for hurt, anger, adn opening the door wide open for Satan to attack you on what ever level he can... God dosen''t make mistakes,He cherishes each and every one of his children, adn feels their ever tear! He allows us free will, adn I personally strive for my heart to be open to His will in my life. He Alone Knows my all, everything possible to know about me, my life, the choices I will face, only He can see the full picture. Our lives are like a puzzle, Only the Lord, King of Kings, Maker of all can see the finished product, our picture; so make Jesus the center of your every puzzle piece!

 

[TexasSky]

(I am not bipolar, but I saw this on the main CF list, and I have a close loved one who is bipolar.)

I believe, very much, that medical science, and the knowledge we've achieved through medical science, is a gift from God.

Rejecting the wisdom of doctors who recommend the medications, on the basis of, "faith will cure me," makes as much sense, spiritually, as saying, "I'll stop buying food, and God will feed me."

He provided the money for food.
He provided the store to buy the food.
He expects you to use the money to buy the food.

He provided the knowledge of medicine.
He provided the medicine.
He expects you to use the knowledge and the medicine.

 

[bipolarbear]

(I am not bipolar, but I saw this on the main CF list, and I have a close loved one who is bipolar.)

I believe, very much, that medical science, and the knowledge we've achieved through medical science, is a gift from God.

Rejecting the wisdom of doctors who recommend the medications, on the basis of, "faith will cure me," makes as much sense, spiritually, as saying, "I'll stop buying food, and God will feed me."

He provided the money for food.
He provided the store to buy the food.
He expects you to use the money to buy the food.

He provided the knowledge of medicine.
He provided the medicine.
He expects you to use the knowledge and the medicine.

Amen!!!

 

[rushingwind62]

Jesus can heal us of our disorders but He also gave us common sense for a reason. If you are getting any benefit at all from medications would it be wise to come off them. I know many pastors feel the way your pastor does. But is he a doctor? Does he understand chemical imbalances, or how the brain works. No, not likely. His field is in spiritualality and what is best for the spirit. Too often ministers cross lines and step way out on things they have not been schooled in. I say leave the mental illnesses to the professionals and if your pastor can't accept that or deal with it, move on to another place that can. Sometimes people can be so Heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.
We are here for you and please know we are all praying for you.

 

[Debi1967]

(I am not bipolar, but I saw this on the main CF list, and I have a close loved one who is bipolar.)

I believe, very much, that medical science, and the knowledge we've achieved through medical science, is a gift from God.

Rejecting the wisdom of doctors who recommend the medications, on the basis of, "faith will cure me," makes as much sense, spiritually, as saying, "I'll stop buying food, and God will feed me."

He provided the money for food.
He provided the store to buy the food.
He expects you to use the money to buy the food.

He provided the knowledge of medicine.
He provided the medicine.
He expects you to use the knowledge and the medicine.

I totally agree with this post

Intellect is God Given and should be USED

 

[tastelikewookie]

I was in a similar dilemma. Since I've gotten off my zyprexa I've been surviving on faith alone, nearly every day I think I'm going to lose it; I feared taking lithium which numbs me would take away the feelings given to me by faith, which would be erased. I've learned faith can produce feelings of trust, hope, and love, but first it starts as an idea. If your medicine still allows you to think you can still follow your faith. In my situation what also has kept me from taking meds is pride, I refuse to accept I have a condition, and I refused to obey God for a long time through my pride. I was very sick. Proud of my suffering, so God would just send more. I felt giving up my pride by taking the meds might show God that I'm trying to change. Days are still tough, but each day is getting better.

Conclusion: I think God can work through medicine, just like he works through other peoples words and actions via the Holy Spirit. Yet I also believe God can heal my condition, and that I should still work hard at trying to figure out why I'm depressed. Which I'm also making headway in through prayer.

I hope whichever choice you make it will turn out for the best in the end.

 

[Johnfromhere]

Of course faith in Christ can heal us, we should always pray for healing, no question about it. The real question is why wouldn't we do everything we could in the meantime to get well and stay well? I never understand it when I hear about pastors telling people they don't need meds or shouldn't take meds for mental health conditions. Would these pastors also tell diabetics they shouldn't take insulin?

 

[4Everloved]

These posts in this thread are all excellent.

Running from being diagnosed because I wanted to refuse stigma and medication...was a slap in my family's face every day.

The me that I have now, on medication for bp, is a more stable wife and mom.