Let's clear up one misconception

[seekingthetruth]

There have been many threads about mental illness lately, and i seem to be the central object of them. FAL, Steadfastfred, and his wife have stated many times that I am hiding behind a drug to cover up my sin.

Let me clarify this. I lived for 50 years with undiagnosed mental illness. I went to Bible College and dropped out. I had a former marriage that failed, and my Social Security record lists over 180 jobs since 1980.

Yes, i was very unstable, and I still struggle today to remain stable. My illness will never go away, but, i have found ways to control it.

Let me addess the sin issue. Yes, when a person is distraught or upset, or irrational, they can ignore moral and even legal limitations to behavior.

I never got into trouble with the law, but i crossed the moral boundary daily.

But, when a person is so frustrated and tired, they get to a point where moral issues don't matter, and they cross lines they never thought they would. It was never a question of me knowing right from wrong...it was a question of me caring.

For me the frustration was the worst thing i experienced. I am very intelligent (IQ of around 150), but I could never understand why I couldn't live normally like everyone else. I didn't give up. Every time I lost a job I got another one right away, hence my 180 plus jobs on my ss record. But the failure of each one made me more and more depressed....and most of all frustrated. I wanted to die, and planned my death several times....but God stopped me.

How would you feel if you knew you had the mental and physical ability to do anything, but for some reason you just couldn't do it? And everybody just thought you were no good and lazy?

And, I am still responsible for every sin I ever committed. My mental illness explains why i struggled with sin, but it doesn't excuse my sins.

My point is this

I am not looking for sympathy. I am not making excuses.

I am hoping that my recovery and my hopes and dreams will help someone else. My future is now mine to have (as long as God allows anyway), and my hope is to help others who are frustrated to find hope for the future.

So, when FAL and Steadfastfred, and fredswife tell you that I am hiding behind sin and masking it with meds, they are lieing.

John

 

[Arbo]

Seeking-

There have been many threads about mental illness lately, and i seem to be the central object of them.

They goad you because you let yourself be an easy target.

So, when FAL and Steadfastfred, and fredswife tell you that I am hiding behind sin and masking it with meds, they are lieing.

People know what's been going on. The majority of folks are in your corner.

 

[seekingthetruth]

Freeatlast....I see that your are currently replying to this thread.

I do not wish to argue with you any more.

This thread was about you, but NOT addressed to you, and does not require a response from you.

Especially since a response from you will be totally judgemental, unbiblical and demonic.

Just leave

John

 

[freeatlast]

Here is the problem with all this. It denies scripture. You claim that things can get so bad that they cannot be dealt with in accordance with the word of God. Here what the Lord says;
1Cor. 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it

The answer to our problems is not drugs, but confession and forsaking. We all have battles and yours is no greater then anyone else's. You just took a different road then what God prescribes to deal with them.

Gal. 5:16 tell us how to deal with sin and there is no mention of using drugs.
[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh

19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

23-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

No drug can make, cause, or help, a person walk in the spirit. That is a command exercised by choice. Drugs cover, but confession and forsaking heal. You admit that the drug will not heal and that is at least something. The rest of the story is that God heals IF we do it His way and that is confession and forsaking.

 

[seekingthetruth]

Here is the problem with all this. It denies scripture. You claim that things can get so bad that they cannot be dealt with in accordance with the word of God. Here what the Lord says;
1Cor. 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it

The answer to our problems is not drugs, but confession and forsaking. We all have battles and yours is no greater then anyone else's. You just took a different road then what God prescribes to deal with them.

Gal. 5:16 tell us how to deal with sin and there is no mention of using drugs.
[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh

19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

23-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

No drug can make, cause, or help, a person walk in the spirit. That is a command exercised by choice. Drugs cover, but confession and forsaking heal. You admit that the drug will not heal and thta is at least something. The rest of the story is that God heals IF we do it His way and that is confession and forsaking.

This is my last post before I put you on ignore...

[personal attack edited]

John

 

[freeatlast]

That alone should prove to you that the drugs do not work and confession and forsaking are in order.

 

[seekingthetruth]

That alone should prove to you that the drugs do not work and confession and forsaking are in order.

The drug doesn't stop me from expressing disgust and even anger to an ignorant person.

[edited]
John

 

[agedman]

There have been many threads about mental illness lately, and i seem to be the central object of them.

I am hoping that my recovery and my hopes and dreams will help someone else. My future is now mine to have (as long as God allows anyway), and my hope is to help others who are frustrated to find hope for the future.

John

John,

God doesn't plan our life to be easy or relaxing. He saved you and kept you for purpose.

Perhaps, you will see that the strain of certain threads are too close to you and you need to refrain from them.

Perhaps, you will need to assume the position of the stronger believer and forgive when no forgiveness is offered.

Perhaps, you will see that this has been a personal time of growth in which the Lord Jesus has shown you certain matters to work through that will strengthen your experience in Him.

Joseph said to his brothers,

"Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."​

Be a peace and abide in Him. He will, as He has, direct your path as a shepherd. He has a club (rod) and a staff. The staff guides the club protects.

 

[seekingthetruth]

John,

God doesn't plan our life to be easy or relaxing. He saved you and kept you for purpose.

Perhaps, you will see that the strain of certain threads are too close to you and you need to refrain from them.

Perhaps, you will need to assume the position of the stronger believer and forgive when no forgiveness is offered.

Perhaps, you will see that this has been a personal time of growth in which the Lord Jesus has shown you certain matters to work through that will strengthen your experience in Him.

Joseph said to his brothers,

"Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."​

Be a peace and abide in Him. He will as He has direct your path as a shepherd. He has a club (rod) and a staff. The staff guides the club protects.

Very wise advice, and i think I will use it.

Thanks
John

 

[annsni]

John - You are giving FAL, Fred and his wife a lot of power over you. Walk away from them. It is not worth the stress on you. They don't know the truth and no amount of arguing with them will help them to see. So wipe the dust off of your sandals and walk away from them. Ignore them, don't let them "get" to you and you will have a much better day.

 

[DiamondLady]

Seeking-

People know what's been going on. The majority of folks are in your corner.

John,
At this point it's simply best to let it ride. If you're looking for the opposition to come around to see your side it'll be a snowy day in hell first. Sometimes it's simply best to walk away with your dignity intact, your self-esteem in place and allow others to be deluded all they like.

The majority see the truth, know the truth, and know there are always going to be a few here that like nothing better than to pick a fight. In the schoolyard we'd call them bullies. It's a shame that as adults there are still bullies in our world.

Keep the faith, brother. Remember, Jesus healed the unhealable...a woman who'd walked bent over for 18 years...so far bent over she saw nothing but dirt and people's feet. Yet Jesus called her out of a crowd and healed her. He healed demonics, he healed the blind, the lame, the deaf...even the dead. He loved the adulteress at the well, he loved the prostitute who'd been brought to be stoned....he loves you too and don't let anyone take away the joy and peace He's brought to your life.

 

[seekingthetruth]

John,

God doesn't plan our life to be easy or relaxing. He saved you and kept you for purpose.

Perhaps, you will see that the strain of certain threads are too close to you and you need to refrain from them.

Perhaps, you will need to assume the position of the stronger believer and forgive when no forgiveness is offered.

Perhaps, you will see that this has been a personal time of growth in which the Lord Jesus has shown you certain matters to work through that will strengthen your experience in Him.

Joseph said to his brothers,

"Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."​

Be a peace and abide in Him. He will, as He has, direct your path as a shepherd. He has a club (rod) and a staff. The staff guides the club protects.

Yes, already I have seen a different way of dealing with and understanding the two people in my church that feel like FAL does towards mental illness.

You are right, this is frustrating, but it is indeed a learning experience also, and can be used for benefit, for me as well as others.

John

 

[freeatlast]

The drug doesn't stop me from expressing disgust and even anger to an ignorant person.

[edit]
John

The answer is confess and forsake and walk in the Spirit as commanded.

19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

23-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


Drugs cannot bring us to walking in the spirit as you so clearly prove by your outbursts.

 

[seekingthetruth]

John,
At this point it's simply best to let it ride. If you're looking for the opposition to come around to see your side it'll be a snowy day in hell first. Sometimes it's simply best to walk away with your dignity intact, your self-esteem in place and allow others to be deluded all they like.

The majority see the truth, know the truth, and know there are always going to be a few here that like nothing better than to pick a fight. In the schoolyard we'd call them bullies. It's a shame that as adults there are still bullies in our world.

Keep the faith, brother. Remember, Jesus healed the unhealable...a woman who'd walked bent over for 18 years...so far bent over she saw nothing but dirt and people's feet. Yet Jesus called her out of a crowd and healed her. He healed demonics, he healed the blind, the lame, the deaf...even the dead. He loved the adulteress at the well, he loved the prostitute who'd been brought to be stoned....he loves you too and don't let anyone take away the joy and peace He's brought to your life.

Thank you DL

I do believe that Jesus is healing me. It is not instant, but it is happening.

No matter what the pharisees say, i can see a huge difference in my life. It hasn't happened overnight, and I hope it is not finished, but it is definately there.

Believe this or not, but it is the truth.....when i get depressed or agitated and i need to get my mind off of my problems, I come here to the BB. Sometimes, i express my frustrations and problems, and sometimes I just read the posts for an hour or so. But either way I know that I am not alone as a Christian just trying to deal with life. Yeah, I may have a slight disability but I still have to deal with life just like everyone else.

I know this is corny, but the old saying of "Life is not a destination, it is a journey" comes to mind.

For a person with mental illness, this saying is even more true.

Thanks
John

 

[revmwc]

Here is the problem with all this. It denies scripture. You claim that things can get so bad that they cannot be dealt with in accordance with the word of God. Here what the Lord says;
1Cor. 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it

The answer to our problems is not drugs, but confession and forsaking. We all have battles and yours is no greater then anyone else's. You just took a different road then what God prescribes to deal with them.

Gal. 5:16 tell us how to deal with sin and there is no mention of using drugs.
[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh

19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

23-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

No drug can make, cause, or help, a person walk in the spirit. That is a command exercised by choice. Drugs cover, but confession and forsaking heal. You admit that the drug will not heal and that is at least something. The rest of the story is that God heals IF we do it His way and that is confession and forsaking.

First off where do you find that a mental illness is a temptation? 1 Corinthians 10:13 God will make a way of escape, think maybe God has given Doctors the knowledge to develop the drugs which help escape the temptation? God has given us drugs that help reduce our colesterol or reduce our blood pressure. The epileptic has drugs which keep them seizure free, and seizures in many epileptics begin at a very early age some from brth although many aren't recognized prior to say 2 or 3, so did the epileptic sin from birth in order to have his condition? I think not, Christ made the point very clear in

John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

God's works are manifest in many ways including through Docitrs whom He gave knowledge to heal.

Just wondering if you take a pill for a headache? Or maybe cough syrup for a cough? Mental illness in many cases as has been discovered is caused from a chemical imbalance in the body, balance the chemicals and the mental illness is kept in check, let it get unbalanced and the person is yet again suffering.

Just as the alcoholic can from one drink revert right back to acoholism or the drug abuser right back to the abuse. The Holy Spirit convicts and they are convicted and they try to stop but as Hebrews 12:1 states "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,"


We look to Jesus and He guides could he guide us to a physician who can help with medication?

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Christ endured the shame for our sin, but who says mental illness is a sin?

Seems God says something about those who beguile unstable souls, in 2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

 

[seekingthetruth]

John - You are giving FAL, Fred and his wife a lot of power over you. Walk away from them. It is not worth the stress on you. They don't know the truth and no amount of arguing with them will help them to see. So wipe the dust off of your sandals and walk away from them. Ignore them, don't let them "get" to you and you will have a much better day.

Well Ann, i don't wear sandals, i wear brogans....but you are right.:thumbs:

I know Jesus probably wore sandals, but no self-respecting redneck from the South like me would be caught dead in them.

But you are spot on in your point, and i will refrain and put on ignore the people in question.

John

 

[convicted1]

Brother John,


I wanted to chime in to let you know that I have you in my prayers. There is no mental illness that our Lord and Saviour doesn't know about(or can't handle). He is the Chief Physician, and just lean on Him, and when times get really tough, He will pick you up, and carry you through it, if only you fully place your trust in Him(I am sure you do). Remember, I am in your corner, and will be in continued prayer for you. If you need someone to talk to, feel free to PM me anytime. I love you, Brother.

Willis Fletcher, Jr.

 

[DHK]

Here is the problem with all this. It denies scripture.

Unless you are a neurologist and an expert at reading MRI's you are not qualified to make such judgments. I suggest you keep quiet on the subject.

 

[convicted1]

Well Ann, i don't wear sandals, i wear brogans....but you are right.:thumbs:

I know Jesus probably wore sandals, but no self-respecting redneck from the South like me would be caught dead in them.

But you are spot on in your point, and i will refrain and put on ignore the people in question.

John

I am a redneck from the south, and I wear sandals/flip-flops!! :laugh::laugh:

 

[freeatlast]

Unless you are a neurologist and an expert at reading MRI's you are not qualified to make such judgments. I suggest you keep quiet on the subject.

I have the bible and state what it says. Condfession and forsaking is the cure for sin, not drugs.

The answer is confess and forsake and walk in the Spirit as commanded.

19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

23-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.


Drugs cannot bring us to walking in the spirit as you so clearly prove by your outbursts.