"StefanM,
Thank you for sharing these verses. they are quite helpful. I've written the references down and will find a way to make them easily accessible to remind me.
StefanM.....yes....keep in mind that each of us struggles with one thing or another. Your challenges are heightened and go beyond the regular spectrum on both ends.
Another factor is...for the most part...those who are in this state tend to be, or have a high level of intelligence, so this could could amplify your emotional reaction even more.....
I guess my next question is this---
If a manic episode does occur (which can include hallucinations and delusions), I know from experience that a person can make very poor decisions that end up hurting those around him or her. In my case, when I come down out of mania and the delusions go away, I'm horrified.
Yes....this is exactly what I am speaking about
I'm not sure how to approach this. It's not necessarily a matter of repentance per se, because I do repent when I come out of mania. I definitely don't try to justify what I do, even if my mental state is impaired. But how does one deal with the regret, etc.?
Most all the men are offering you helpful ideas here as we all struggle to some extent.
You are responsible to God to control what you can.
Sometimes what you do is a result of this condition, and other times it is just remaining sin and corruption which you need to mortify.
God knows exactly which is which and has promised never to leave or forsake any who have fled for refuge by a God given faith.
130 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4
But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait,
and in his word do I hope.
6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
psalm139;
Psalm 139King James Version (KJV)
139
O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.