Christianity Oasis Forum

[goldieluvs]

i just wanted to post something general and emotion management seems like the most appropriate title. I started to post in First do no harm but that seems to focus on physical stuff. You all are aware that there are multiple MH diagnoses. Maybe something ya'll didn't know is that i am dx'd as bipolar. I haven't hardly slept in two days. I have taken enuf meds to tranq a horse and still getting maybe four hours sleep. I don't mean OTC stuff, i mean psy meds that should knock me on my rear. My body is tired but i can't shut off my brain. It's going 100 miles an hr. Ok well that may be an exageration but u get the point I guess I am just wondering what people think about MH dx's in general. Do ya think its a lack of renewing your mind in Christ? Do u think it is body chemisty? Do you think that person is somehow wired differently than general people you run into?

Oasis has a wonderful study about depression. I read it awhile back and it was interesting and helpful. I think there are some people who r just wired differently and as result have MH issues. Working in the field gives ya a perspective that is unique. Cuz, sometimes i see people who just need help dealing with past and current issues and it is majorly impacting their daily lives. And then i see others who are genuinely sick and the best you can do is medicate em and .

The reason for this post is that i am curious what people really think. Its an issue that affects alot more people than anyone would probably recognize. Also, some people have good coping skills and have come up with strategies that help ya thru the worst times.

Ok after saying all that, i done forgot wat i originally was gonna ask> Oh me oh my. Ok, i am gonna try and get some more sleep

[Mackenaw]

Hello Goldie

God bless you this day.

Awwwwww Goldie, sorry about the sleep problems you are experiencing. I'm sending up prayers for you. God's blessed will be done.

The topic of depression and the various MH conditions has as many varied opinions as conditions as drugs. I am not an authority on the topic, and will never claim to be one. This topic is a sensitive one, for sure. Lots of room for people getting offended when what one person says is contrary to how another person copes -- coping while on medication.

I did; however, suffer from depression for most of my life. I don't now. I confess and profess my relationship with The Lord and His blessed healing as my cure. He healed me. Thank You Lord.

Over the years, I occasionally tried medications prescribed by Doctors -- all they did was make me feel like a zombie and I could not sleep at all. I usually would try them for 3-6 months and then stop because I couldn't function. And while the symptoms of depression seemed a little lessened while on the medication, it was not enough (in my opinion) and not worth the additional side affects from the drugs. I need my sleep and I need to function. PERIOD!!!

Goldie, I'm going to share something with you, and what I'm about to share is also as controversial a topic and MH itself. But...I'm stepping out and being BOLD by the leading, I pray, of The Holy Spirit.

When a person becomes Born Again -- accepts Christ Jesus as Saviour, they receive the indwelling of The Holy Spirit. For some, they simultaneously receive the baptism of The Holy Spirit. Two separate things: Indwelling and Baptism of The Holy Spirit. And, no I'm not talking about being baptized in water. In my mind and in my words...the indwelling of The Holy Spirit is power working within from Him to become. The baptism of The Holy Spirit is power working within from Him to do. Again, these are my words and my understanding. I'm not challenging anyone to a duel or an arm wrestling match -- just stating my understanding. Anyway, there was 23 years between my accepting Jesus as Saviour (becoming Born Again) when the Holy Spirit took residence within me, AND THEN WHEN I received the baptism of The Holy Spirit. TWENTY-THREE YEARS!!! I'm on fire for The Lord now.

I know I get a raised eyebrow from many whenever I share what I just shared with you -- but that's ok. Raise an eyebrow or raise a glass -- no skin off my nose. All I know is He lit a fire in me 3 1/2 years ago that is not easily extinguished, and I attribute it to my Lord baptizing me with power on High -- the baptism of The Holy Spirit.

There are scriptures in Acts 19 regarding people receiving the baptism of The Holy Spirit at a later time than when they first accepted Jesus as Saviour. I would encourage anyone who wants more of God to look into fully. But, I say this too -- the Fire must be fed continually. It feeds on His Word and earnest seeking of Him.

and one more thing -- a glimpse of a song...Somethings burning, somethings burning, somethings burning...and I think it's Love.

God bless you, Goldie.
Love and hugs,
Mack

[realtmg]

Hi goldie! We meet again. As you know a little about me, I have had the same problem. I no longer use any of the narcotics.
But I have found a drug called Pristic that I take that is not addictive or mind altering. It's relatively new on the market.
I do think that God uses medicine in different cases.
Don't fret and one of the best medicines I have found is sharing our feelings with others and staying busy.
Just thought I'd share this.
This too shall pass.
Luv Ya goldie

Real

[goldieluvs]

awww mackles i just luvs ya bunches sis I am having a hard time understanding ur understanding but i am sure God is with me and watever i go through on earth, well, regardless i am blessed because without God i would be lost indeed!! and real.. it was good to read wat u wrote too. Amen, this too shall pass. And the help of friends and loved ones and sharing stuff i think takes away its power to grab hold of ya and gives less room for the enemy to sneak in. He is crafty for sure. I have some people on my caseload that take pristiq. In my case, I take Lamictal to help with the mood swings, its actually an anticonvulsant. I take prozac and maybe i will just not take it for a couple days and see if i cant just regulate myself. I also take klonopin (dont look at me that way real!!! awww im teasing ya bro. I luvs u all much. Its amazing how when something struggling is going on how God brings ya a rainbow!! It helps to be reminded of His Promises!

[---]

You have to be very careful about who you listen to on this issue. A whole lot of christians spout off at the mouth on this kind of thing without having any understanding of the issue, just a whole lot of opinion. I used to be one of them.

I have struggled with a lifetime of anxiety and depression. Of course, its not what you deal with and obviously not as severe. My issues are believed to be a chemical imbalance. I equivicate this to not having enough blood platelets or something. Very few people would tell you not to take medicine to fix your blood platelets in the name of Jesus.

I believe that God works does work through science sometimes. I believe that the church spends way too much energy disputing God's influence on science. If God didn't create gravity, then who did? If he did create gravity, well I suppose he knows how it works right? Well, God created Adam. I belive that God gives medical science to man as a benifit. Of course humans abuse it but that's another discussion.

My point here is this - do what works for you. Stay close to God. Pray, read the word, but take the meds. If your meds aren't working for you, tell your doctor. If you doctor isn't working for you, get another. Don't stop the meds cause of some misplaced sense of guilt. Draw near unto God. If he heals you of your condition than so be it. If not, perhaps his healing exists for you in the form of medication. Renew your mind daily in Christ.

I realize my opinion will not set well with everyone. Mine is on first hand experience. I have had to change my opinion on this issue. It is possible it may change again in the future. I am falable.

[goldieluvs]

Aww broken ty for sharing your thoughts. I have anxiety attacks as well and they are NO fun for sure! and sheepy sis MH means mental health. Wow, u have certainly come through a lot of obstacles, I know Jesus helped ya thru. As for me, it is something i have learned to live with. I don't have all the physical issues you do, but I actually work in the MH field. I think it helps me relate better to people who are experiencing similar issues and i think that it makes me better at what i do, because I been there and I know there is a way thru. Religious beliefs are pretty much taboo unless the person i work with brings it up, at which point it gives me an opening to be encouraging and state some of the teachings I have learned here. I have to be careful in my approach but not necessarily a bad thing either cuz people see me as just people not someone who is stuck up and unreachable or someone who doesn't care. So i am grateful for that. And i feel like that maybe i was meant to work in this field, that this is were God called me to be. I do a much better job since coming to Oasis. I guess i needed to learn more.. but thats the awesome part is that we will always be learning more and more about God and I thank Him every day for all the blessings He saw fit to give me. God's grace is certainly sufficient to help through any storm!!!! Luv u all

[kimberly]

I believe any illness or disease is an attack of the devil.

I believe healing is part of our salvation rights.

I believe that healing can be received in many different ways.

I believe to be devlivered, we have to get angry at the devil and say NO, you won't afflict me......and stay on it.

I believe it takes enormus faith without any doubt or wavering.

I believe it takes Word intervention, along with any other help we need, but the Word of God is necessary to see manefestation.

I'm working on it too.

[Sylvia49]

Hi, Goldie!

I'm new to CO and to this site.

I've struggled with BP, in my case BP Syndrome, and take some of the meds you mentioned.

I have sleep issues, depression, "mind whorls," etc.

I have a good psych, but I also have taken relationship and depression classes at my church which have helped. They recognize that we have some tools at our disposal which may help during attacks.

I would love to talk with you about our ongoing situations.

Love and God's Peace,

Sylvia 49

[comfy]

Hi, Sylvia . . . I'd say one of the very important things to help our mental health is that we learn how to relate with other people the way the Bible says. So . . . I'm curious > what are some of the things your church classes have given you about relating with people?

Goldie > I would say for mental health > one basic I believe in is what Kimberly may be saying she understands > the Holy Spirit is God's Spirit "of a sound mind", we have in 2 Timothy 1:7 >

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of
. . . . . . a sound mind."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2 Timothy 2:7)

I notice how it says God has not given us a "spirit of fear" > fear has a lot to do with causing mental health problems, and fear here is shown to be not an organic or medical problem, but a *spiritual* issue. Plus, we have >

"There is no fear in love;

but perfect love casts out fear,

because fear involves torment.

But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

(1 John 4:18)

Now, you might have noticed how pretty much *any* person who is afraid can start acting crazy. Also, if you effectively mess with pretty much *any* person's *treasure* pleasure, that person can start acting like a lunatic Jesus does say, "'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.'" (Matthew 6:21) So, what we *treasure* can have a lot to do with how our mental health is. If we are treasuring and loving our lives, then when things change in our lives, we "might" be going through some changes ourselves Some people are just more topsy-turvey than others.

"'He who loves his life will lose it,

and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.'" (John 12:25)

As much as we are hung up about ourselves and others we care about and about our lives that we want to have, we can "lose it".

So, we need to be more about Jesus and being attentive to Him, instead, and how God leads us in His peace. This a physical drug can not do for us. But spiritual problems can have a physical chemical effect in our brains. So, in mental health troubles, there is the physical effect. Stress included > I know someone who said when she broke up with a guy, she lost hair due to the stress. But . . . was she being moral with him? Sin can break us down spiritually so the spiritual trouble feeds into our emotions and bodies. Sinning by being immoral can make one spiritually weak so the person then is weak enough to give in to the stress. I've noticed how pleasure seeking couples can get into such fights > because that selfish spirit makes them weak so they can break down in struggling for what they want. Not that this is you, but this is something ones of our readers might need to consider

So . . . in finding out how to relate in love with people > God's love will keep us from fear (1 John 4:18), and this will help to cleanse us in our mental health >
"'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added to you.'" (Matthew 6:33)

When I have health and sleep problems, I start with seeking first God's kingdom, and see what this brings physically . . . while I am concentrating on seeking God in His peace. If . . . I mean, WHEN . . . I fail in this, I just confess this and keep with it. Just keep going, and encourage others and care about others . . . like you said having your problem can help you feel for others >

"He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray,

since he himself is also subject to weakness." (Hebrews 5:2)

God's ways are "past finding out", we have in Romans 11:33. So, God's ways have been involved in making our minds, and how they work, now. So, no way can any human figure us out So, we can *rest* in how God will heal us and correct us > this will take correction of our selfish things we seek, and how we can try to control and dominate in order to get what we treasure, using people instead of loving them > this is part of our mental health problem. Using people keeps us out of God's love with His stability.

So . . . we a-l-l need to do better, then, don't we? It's not just your mental health clients you can understand, from your own problems. All of us have ways of acting in the weakness and emotional instability of our self stuff. We need to die to self, and come alive in God's love with His personality of Jesus forming in us, more and more.

I sure need a "personality transplant", myself

[goldieluvs]

welcome 2 Oasis sylvia49. Wuld luv chatting with ya! And kimmy and comfy wow certainly lots of good answers and ty for sharing. I know God helps me deal with stuff. And He has brought much healing in my life. Maybe its a life long journey ::dunno. I always try to look up. Just sometimes symptoms can get ahold of ya. Am working on it tho luvs u all

[Sylvia49]

Hi, Goldie, Comfy!

The depression classes I took at church offered me much of the obvious: healthy diet, exercise, helping others, PRAYER, but they didn't discount meds either, when necessary. God did give us a brain to use, but you have to be careful who your counselor and/or psych is and what his frame of reference is. Some just want you to pop pills, and some totally discount Christian spiritual intervention.

My relationships class was called "The Journey." It involved DVDs, discussion and mutual support. It amazed me to find out how my life experiences shaped who I am. This class dovetailed very well on the depression class, and both had a Christian perspective.

Prayer, Bible study (GREAT), breathing easily, absenting myself from trigger situations (when at all possible) were some of the helps put forth in the classes. Also total surrender to the Lord (comes hard at times).

Knowing who I am, and that in spite of it God loves me and forgives me, I think was one of the most important things accomplished. We cannot ask God to help us specifically when we don't know what the specifics are. He is my Lord, Redeemer, Comforter, Counselor... He changes me from the inside out, but I have to own my part in making myself who I am. Then I can be open to change, and He changes me.

It has been known that medications are sometimes necessary for BP. God is the Rock I lean on, but without some meds I at times cannot function. I do not believe it wrong to take advantage of the knowledge God has given our physicians.

Back to ya,
and thanks,

Sylvia49

[comfy]

Thank you, Sylvia, for telling us what you have been learning. It sounds good.

One thing I think is really helping is when we deal with our problems, even by sharing with ones who do not have the exact same troubles, and we are ready to hear them out and even bear with ones who are ignorant and giving us bogus criticism. This all can help us become stronger, and stronger makes us stronger against our emotional trouble thingys.

Will this take the rest of our lives? I understand my mental and other problems are rooted in my selfish nature capability, and this will take the rest of my life to be cured by God's love. But as I get more into loving, this makes me stronger and more natural against stuff which abuses me.

I deal with problems according to scripture. For example, while I am being paranoid, I can tell I am not loving the people I am criticizing and cursing with my suspicion (instead of loving and blessing them). Paranoid stuff, in my case, is cursing, not caring, not blessing. And Jesus plainly says, "bless those who curse you," in Matthew 5:44. So, I call it sin if I give in to such paranoid stuff. That's one example of how the Bible helps me deal with my problems.

So, it's like I think Kimberly said > deal with our emotional problems, by feeding on the word and applying God's word to our troubles. Guess which is stronger guess which will win