Christianity and Depression (as well as other psychiatric, personailty or addiction disorders) Part 1

Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

I have struggled with depression since I was about 10 years old.  I have had thoughts of suicide since I was about 12.  I had fits of rage.  I'd sleep 12 hours a day and spend most of the remaining 12 locked in a fantasy world fueled by TV, books or my on rapidly deteriorating imagination. 

When I became a Christian, I though that all of that would end....immediately.  And when it didn't I doubted my salvation and questioned whether I was too far gone to be forgiven. 

I think Christians should have a mentor for the first year.  A sponsor if you will.  Someone to tell you what to expect.  Someone to call when the demons attack (and they attack bad starting the moment you get out of the water). 

So. I'm a Christian but I'm so depressed that I can barely function. I'm still angry.  I don't behave like a Christian.  I'm trying to please everyone and I am failing. 

I try therapy.  But I'm a people pleaser and although I initiate the therapy, I am not honest.  I understate all my feelings trying to please the therapist.  But I begin taking antidepressants.  They help. 

There are some Christians that believe that if I pray hard enough and with enough faith, I would be healed.  They believe that using outside help shows a lack of faith.  I would suspect that these Christians have never experienced debilitating depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or other psychiatric illness or addiction.

This is what I believe. Based on the scripture above, Jesus would suggest that we should destroy a part of our body that God gave us in order to preserve our soul. 

Here's a joke..

The flood was coming and word was sent to evacuate. One farmer sat on his porch and told the rescue team. "I'm waiting for God, He'll save me." Soon the water rose and the farmer was forced to the second story of his house. The rescue boat came but he told them. "I'm waiting for God He'll save me." Soon the farmer was forced to the top of his roof. The rescue helicopter came but he told them. "I'm waiting for God, He'll save me." The water rose and the farmer drowned. On his arrival in heaven he asked God, "Why didn't you save me? I waited for you but you never came." God replied. "I came three times."

 

Sometimes God uses natural laws and humans to achieve his supernatural purposes. This does not minimize or exclude the existence of supernatural healing. 

Psychiatric drugs can be an aid but only Jesus is the answer.  

Jesus knows our heart and if our heart loves and seeks to please Him, He knows it.

When we get our resurrected bodies we won't have to worry about physical or mental limitations anymore.

 

 

 

 

Do you believe what you believe? Part 3 Jesus is Lord.

 Is Jesus Lord and King of your life?

Before being baptized, it is customary at our church to take your confession.

Romans 10:9 if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved

"From this day forward, who is going to be the Lord of your life?"
What does that mean?
 
According to Merriam-Webster this is the definition of "lord"
1 : one having power and authority over others: a : a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due

Does Jesus have "power and authority" over your life, family, work ethics?

By virtue of His death for our sins, we owe Him "service and obedience". 

Do we pick and choose when we are obedient?  Do we pick and choose those of God's word we choose to obey? How many days do you serve Him and how?

Now..I could end it right now.  I've read things like that and all I'm left with is guilt because I know that I fall short a lot.  Sometime I know I have a problem, but don't have the answer.

These are the answers have found.

1.  Jesus trumps my feelings and upbringing. 
2.  I am only who God says I am. 
3. What God says is true is true. 
4. There is absolute truth and God's word determines what that is. 
5. My job is to be salt and light on the earth.
6. My job is to point others to Jesus by my words, behavior, how I conduct my business and how I handle conflict.
7.  My obedience and service don't earn me salvation.  It is a response to the love and forgiveness God through Jesus has shown me.
8. As many times as I fall, God is ready to forgive me.
9. I try not to fall because I don't want to disappoint my heavenly Father who loves me and gave His Son for me. 
10.  AND MOST IMPORTANTLY GOD LOVES YOU AND IS ON YOUR SIDE.

I did not learn any of this overnight.  Because of my childhood abuse, I have had a hard time with, one or two or all of these.  But peace lies in Jesus. Be Blessed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forgiveness

forgive [fəˈgɪv]

vb -gives, -giving, -gave, -given

1. to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)

2. to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc.)

3. (tr) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty

4. (tr) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc.)

[Old English forgiefan; see for-, give]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

 

The deeper the injury the harder forgiveness is. 

 

I wrote a letter to my abuser when I was about 25 years old. 

 

The first emotion that I can recall feeling in my life was anger and hate.  I didn't know what was going on.  At eight I did not have any way to understand what was going on.  But I knew I did not like it and was angry.

Rage     Hysterics     Nightmares     Fear     Headaches     Introverted      Codependent     Depressed

 

I was a prisoner.  I didn't trust anyone and I so wanted to trust someone.  I trusted all the wrong people.  I retreated into reading to escape.  I lived in fantasy worlds where there were happy endings.

 

Then I wrote the letter and mailed it. 

 

Was it because I had a religious moment of discovery?

Did God put forgiveness in my heart?

 

Wouldn't that have been nice...No.  I just decided that my hatred and anger at him only hurt me.  I had to release that. 

 

And I lived happily ever after...No.  It was the beginning of healing that is still going on today. 

 

Now- forgiveness for me does not equal being new BFF's.  It means that I give up all rights to revenge, to speak of this person in a negative way or to wish, want or relish any harm to this person. 

 

But forgiveness is biblical.  Our salvation is described as forgiveness of sin.  God forgives us from every violation of His law.  We are then required to pass that forgiveness along. 

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matt 18:21-35)

²¹ Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet^[d] and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’^{[e] 30} And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. ³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”^[f]
It's pretty important. 

See...forgiveness is a commandment.  He would not say it was required if we could not do it.  It is not based on our "feeling" forgiveness.  It's about being obedient to God.  It's a choice.  Today choose to forgive someone who has hurt, mistreated or betrayed you.  Be Blessed.