I felt led to write this particular post and you know as well as I do, when you hear that little voice in the back of your head (no, not the blue cross blue shield guy from the commercials) it is best to listen.
One of the most disheartening and to me, hurtful things a bi-polar person can experience, is someone who attempts to use scripture against them. It is worse when a brother or sister in Christ does it. I have come to realize; however, that stupidity is not overcome through the blood of Jesus. Just because someone is saved, doesn’t mean they are instantly endowed with knowledge.
Come on, there are folks who have been saved, true believers and good people who haven’t opened their Bible outside the church walls. It doesn’t make them a bad person. There are some folks who believe once they were baptized they were endowed with the Holy Spirit and that made them, for the lack of a better term, “Holier than thou.” They believe they were “gifted” this knowledge and every Sunday when they leave, they can bless the world with the message they retained now that they have heard the Pastor preach. Granted, they can’t back up one single thing but don’t worry. They have enough authority and judgement in their tone to make up for it.
Do not get me wrong. This isn’t just church folks. This is a theme in people. It is human nature. I love my church. I love my church family. If they call me, I am there. They need a volunteer, sign me up. Need a chaperone? I will go. Need a teacher? I will teach. I love my Pastor. I love the music Minister (yes, Sir, one day I promise I will sing in the choir.) I love the youth Pastor. Yes, there are things about my church I would change. Why? Because my church is not perfect. Why is my church not perfect? Because it is made up of people. Does that keep me from going? No. Why? I do not go to church because of the people. I go to church to worship God.
Now, getting back to my topic… When someone learns I am bi-polar they get that, “oh, maybe I should step back a little just in case it is contagious” look on their face. When they learn I am a practicing Christian; however, it takes a turn. “How can that be? Can your God not fix you?” or “I thought in your Bible it says…” To tell you the truth, I usually smile. Proverbs 17:28 says, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” Some battles, I leave to the Lord. You see, I don’t really care what the world thinks of me, for God knows my heart and Jesus knows my name! However, there are those times when my buttons are pushed and my moods are just right and I, well, just come out swinging…
Here are a few scriptures for us to start with: John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Romans 12:10 states “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Ephesians 4:29 states “Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths but only such as it good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
What do those verses clearly tell us? We are commanded to love one another and to lift one another up. I am pretty sure there is no other way to interpret them. So, if we know nothing else, we should love everyone. (note: I didn’t say we had to like them. Like is subjective. We usually like people because of… we love people in spite of and without conditions.) If I knew nothing about you, I would love you as you are my brother or sister in Christ. Further more, It is not my place to tear you down. It is my place to lift you up. Hence, whether I believed in “your condition” or not, I would love you and work to build you up. With that in mind, let’s move to the next point.
James 1:8 reads “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” I have actually encountered folks (both christian and non-christian) who have quoted this scripture as Biblical PROOF that we cannot be bi-polar and Christian because the Bible says so. WHAT? This is a case of twisted scripture. First – of course a double minded man is unstable. What else would he be? Any person who is truly double minded is unstable. Anyone who takes scripture out of context is a fool. To understand what James was ACTUALLY referring to in that verse one must read the preceding verses. Verse 6-7 state, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think he shall receive anything from the Lord.” What James was REALLY saying is, if you read the chapter – you are going to face trials in your life. When you do, consider it a good thing. Because these trials build perseverance and help build your faith. In these times, lean on God. Approach Him with boldness. Ask for wisdom. But do not ask with doubt or fear. THAT doubt and fear is the double mindedness the verse was referring to. When we approach our Father, we need to approach Him with the confidence and knowledge THAT HE hears us and will provide for us. No doubting. No second guessing Him. It has nothing to do with being bi-polar. That is something some (I was going to use the word idiot but that is rather harsh) one who is ignorant of God’s word dreamed up! Remember, just because we feel it doesn’t mean THAT is what it means. Do not be fooled, my friends! James was NOT referring to some one who was bi-polar. He was referring to anyone who is wishy washy in their faith in our Father. BIG DIFFERENCE!
If you are looking for the terms, “manic” or “depressed/depression” or “bi-polar” or “mental illness” in the Bible, I am sorry. You are not going to find those particular words. I do believe; however, the New Living Translation uses the term “depression” once or twice. Because of that, some folks use that as an argument. Let’s look at the straight definition of bi-polar. There isn’t one! Ha! We know depending on whether we are bi-polar 1 or bi-polar 2 we will have manic and depressed episodes and they will vary. We can define manic and depressed, yes? Depressed: State of felling sad, dejection (lowness of spirits), anger, anxiety, periods of difficulty in thinking and concentration, increase or decrease in appetite & time spent thinking, feelings of extreme hopelessness, periods of crying, … then it goes on to define the difference between normal depression and clinical depression. Mania: excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm, excitement manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior and elevation of mood. Let’s be honest, by THOSE definitions, everyone at one point or another has experienced periods of depression and mania.
If you study the Bible, you find that Solomon, David and Job CLEARLY suffered periods of depression. Was Jeremiah not known as the “weeping” prophet? I don’t know about you but I don’t think that was because he was a happy-go-lucky guy. Talk about someone who had periods of mania… have you studied our friend Peter? He was very aggressive, often spoke before he thought, fiercely loyal, often let his “passion” lead him and let his authority rule the situation… yet he is the rock upon which Jesus chose to build His church! THAT alone should give us hope! Peter is the poster child for ALL people, bi-polar or not, that we can accomplish great things when we put our faith in God instead of ourselves!
But wait! There is more. The Bible says, “Do not be afraid” 365 times. Yes, yes it does. So, how can you be anxious or let the fear reel you into a fit of depression? Doesn’t that equate to a lack of faith? Let’s look at the obvious. It is stated 365 times. Man must, as a whole, need to hear that message. Not just a certain “group” of people. Throughout the Bible, there are scriptures on Peace, worry, anxiety, encouragement, trials and more. The best part, God promises to be our strength, our comforter, our deliverer, our rock!
Let’s give those who say mental illness is a sin a moment to bask – Romans 3:23 states, “For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Newsflash: Everyone – even those trying to help us – are sinners. But good news! “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Better news! There is hope for sinners! John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” AMEN! Please do not forget John 3:21a, “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light”
There are so many scriptures, so many, we can fall back on. Why? Because our God made us. He loves us. He makes no junk. He wishes to care for us. Here is the key – the secret. No matter what we face in life – abuse, wealth, hardships, bi-polar, accidents, peer pressure, war, family issues, the list goes on – as children of God, followers of Christ – we need to rely on Him. When we realize He is in control, not us, we can do all things (Philippians 4:13.) Does that mean all things will be easy? NO. Does that mean we will like all the things? NO. That means there will not be one thing – not one single thing we will have to face, go through or weather – alone. When we rely on our Father IN ALL THINGS and thank Him IN ALL things (1 Thessalonians 5:18 – note it doesn’t say for all things it says IN all things) “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” John 16:33.
This is a topic, as you can tell, that I am very passionate about. I rely very heavily on my Lord. I spend time in my prayer closet. I know in my hardest moments when I struggle, God is there. Yes, my mind races. When I can find peace no where else, when I cannot muster the strength to get up out of bed, when I know I am “off” I lean on HIM! It is not me. I cannot do this myself. And you know what? I do not try to. THAT is how I function with, “my condition.” Yes, I am on meds. Do you think I just waltz right in to the doctors office and say, “Hey, doc. Load me up.” No. I pray about it. I seek God’s will and His advice. The key is guys, to listen, obey and act.
I know the devil can use “my condition” to get a lot of work done. You see that in other people. But he will never be able to use it in me. “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:7-8.
This is a really long post and for that, no, wait. I do not apologize. I think it is important. God doesn’t make junk. God made me. He made me perfect just the way I am. I am bi-polar. My brain scans show it. I do not hide behind this in order to live a life of “sin.” I strive every day to be more Christ-like. I do not go around with a big neon light above my head advertising “my condition.” I don’t advertise I’m a christian either. I do; however, live my life in such a way that glorifies God and I hope makes non-believers doubt their non-belief. God didn’t make me broken. He made me so I could be a living testimony to His awesomeness. It is a testimony you can have. Its a testimony that can start right now – whether you are bi-polar or not. It is just a decision.
Until next time… remember, love everyone. You don’t know what battle God asked them to fight. Stay in scripture, too. Don’t let someones “twisted” use of it tear you down whether you are bi-polar or not. Know God’s word for yourself. Talk to you soon.
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