I know that you all are either struggling right now or know what it's like to struggle very well... so I thought I would post this, especially since this is a Christian forum.
Today's sermon was on trials. The pastor that was preaching took the sermon from James 1:2-16:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. 9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, not does He tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, dear brothers.
Emphasis mine. The bolded words are ones that the pastor told us to circle. The notes I took are as follows (and I hope that they are useful to someone, if not everyone):
How can I be joyful? Choose your attitude. Joy = "blessed be Your name; I trust You," not feelings.
Perseverance: the only option. Develops strong & mature character.
Mature: it's all about growth.
This sermon really struck me as being apt for where I currently am. Despite the struggles that we face, though, we're not alone. God is there... and believe it or not, He's got it covered!! While we may feel alone a lot of the time... if we "keep on keeping on," we will make it through. Bipolar is not an easy thing, nor are any of the feelings or "side effects" like SI or psychoses, that come with it. But God is there, and He knows what He is doing. He has a purpose for each of us, and even though we struggle, it's not Him that is causing the hard times. As James wrote in verse 13, He cannot be tempted to tempt. He is not a God of evil. Indeed, He is the opposite.
I was going to leave off verses 14-16 because considering bipolar, it's not our fault. We may be tempted by evil desires to self injure or commit suicide or hurt another or restrict food, but we can't control the hypo/mania and depression that come with bipolar - those are not evil desires.
I'm not posting this to show that I am better than any of you. In fact, I know that my walk with Christ is lacking. I am not as strong in faith as I could be, I don't pray as much as I should, even when I say I will I forget. I know that some of you have a stronger and more developed faith than I do. I just posted this because the sermon helped me, and I hope that it helps someone here as well. Even if it only touches the heart of one person, I will consider posting it a success.
God bless you all. May His face shine upon you today and always, and may His arms always be around you, shielding you from the overwhelmingly scary and sad parts of life.
Today's sermon was on trials. The pastor that was preaching took the sermon from James 1:2-16:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. 9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, not does He tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don't be deceived, dear brothers.
Emphasis mine. The bolded words are ones that the pastor told us to circle. The notes I took are as follows (and I hope that they are useful to someone, if not everyone):
How can I be joyful? Choose your attitude. Joy = "blessed be Your name; I trust You," not feelings.
Perseverance: the only option. Develops strong & mature character.
Mature: it's all about growth.
This sermon really struck me as being apt for where I currently am. Despite the struggles that we face, though, we're not alone. God is there... and believe it or not, He's got it covered!! While we may feel alone a lot of the time... if we "keep on keeping on," we will make it through. Bipolar is not an easy thing, nor are any of the feelings or "side effects" like SI or psychoses, that come with it. But God is there, and He knows what He is doing. He has a purpose for each of us, and even though we struggle, it's not Him that is causing the hard times. As James wrote in verse 13, He cannot be tempted to tempt. He is not a God of evil. Indeed, He is the opposite.
I was going to leave off verses 14-16 because considering bipolar, it's not our fault. We may be tempted by evil desires to self injure or commit suicide or hurt another or restrict food, but we can't control the hypo/mania and depression that come with bipolar - those are not evil desires.
I'm not posting this to show that I am better than any of you. In fact, I know that my walk with Christ is lacking. I am not as strong in faith as I could be, I don't pray as much as I should, even when I say I will I forget. I know that some of you have a stronger and more developed faith than I do. I just posted this because the sermon helped me, and I hope that it helps someone here as well. Even if it only touches the heart of one person, I will consider posting it a success.
God bless you all. May His face shine upon you today and always, and may His arms always be around you, shielding you from the overwhelmingly scary and sad parts of life.
