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Serious discussion - mental issues and the church

Golf Cart Mafia Capo Famiglia Posts: 4804 **8/4/16 9:20 pm**

I don't know about you all, but I feel that in the American Church, we are severely under-equipped to deal with mental and emotional problems in our congregations.

In my circles, I am surrounded by wonderful, Christian people, who fight anxiety and depression. Others have dealt with suicidal thoughts, schizophrenia, and other disorders.. Several of my friends have children on the autism spectrum as well.

I've never dealt with this before, especially in such highly concentrated numbers. It really seems that so many people these days are battling mental and emotional issues, as well as the physical issues we normally deal with.

It's just recently that The Church has begun to talk about these issues. For years, it's just been swept under the rug as "spiritual problems." Years ago, I dated a girl who is textbook bipolar, but when I spoke with her parents about it, they believed she was simply being oppressed by demons... Bad theology and mental problems don't mix well.

So is anyone on here proactively addressing this in your church? Are you seeing the same trends? What are you doing about it? How are you helping people deal with the everyday battles they face? How are you trying to simply understand?
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Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **8/4/16 10:22 pm**

Mental health is still in the dark ages. We're at least 100 years behind physical medicine in our treatment of it (both medically and socially). My dad suffers from bipolar disorder and when he has manic episodes, you'd think he was a leper on the set of Ben Hur. You're right nobody deals well with it, especially the church. I think its because it takes too much energy. With most issues, you can give a quick speech, a prayer and a hug and feel like you've done some good. Not so with mental health issues.

Most doctors and "treatment facilities" just want to drug them into zombies so they don't have to deal with them. Most churches want you to come back when everything is better.

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **8/5/16 10:46 pm**

The pastor is walking the proverbial tight rope on this subject. We believe in divine healing, and that is for all ills. However Prayer doesn't always bring about healing and the pastor must prayerfully (and tactfully) suggest the medical profession. Some pastors feel like they are failing at that point and try to sorta bluff their way on.

We have a member (some kin to me by marriage) at times I wish something had been done in her youth. She is a real pain for the pastor 'AT TIMES'. He does the best he can, but......... she needs psychological or some kind of help.

But really what else is available except Drugs as JD has stated usually happens?

BUT BB it is a subject that needs to be dealt with in the church. Cool

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Acts Mod Posts: 3346 **8/6/16 8:07 am**

This is a serious issue in today's church.

I pastored a precious family. The whole family had issues. Almost every time the mother went to Walmart she would phone my wife and and say; "this is Rosey, I am at walmart and just wanted to know if you needed anything.

One night we were standing in the parking lot after church. She looked up at the full moon and said. Oh no it is a full moon tonight. The crazy house will be full tonight. It took all I could do to hold back the laughter.

This was one of the finest families I have ever pastored and I felt so helpless toward them.

Rosey died while I was there. They cremated her and had her ashes in a black box on the communion table.

Years later Rosey's husband David married a divorced woman in the church. They have made a beautiful couple.

BTW, what is a textbook bipolar?
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01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **8/6/16 10:38 am**

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **8/6/16 11:24 am**

Guys, textbook bipolar is when one minute you love your textbook because it is giving you so much wonderful and fascinating info to learn, and the next minute you hate it with a purple passion because it has a passage that just cannot be understood at all. Mr. Green

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **8/6/16 11:30 am**

Ha! Just kidding.
Larry "textbook" is just an adjective meaning that something or conforms to a condition (or theory, or whatnot) in every way. In other words, for someone to be textbook bipolar, he or she fits all the descriptions that a textbook describing bipolar order lists.
Bipolar is a disorder that used to be called manic-depressive.
The Wikipedia entry can give you a good overview.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **8/6/16 11:53 am**

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **8/6/16 11:54 am**

Bipolar defined

Acts Mod Posts: 3346 **8/6/16 12:23 pm**

I googled the definition of bipolar. I know what it is but wanted a clearer understanding.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health

Quite Wyatt...I was one of those....

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 6042 **8/6/16 5:33 pm**

And I'm sorry.

I never necessarily said it aloud, but I think I probably thought it. Why, a good ol' Christian doesn't need psychologists or medications for mental issues.

When I recently heard a CD from several years ago by the highly-esteemed Randy Watson (former pastor of Living Waters COG in Ocala, FL) who spoke of the "anticipatory anxiety" he was diagnosed with...

And when, a few years ago at the Florida Campmeeting, Loran Livingston told of his dark struggle with depression and the such...

And knowing of many other men who have had varying degrees and types of anxieties...

And now having to deal with a few myself (I recently went through a tremendous bout with my health--apparently near death or amputation--and, believe me, it can affect you as you recover!)...and having pondered the eventual loss of my beloved parents, should the Lord tarry...yeah, we need all the help we can get.

I can tell you that, FOR ME, I seem to get a word here and there from the Lord that restores me and lifts me. But I can clearly understand why some might need some sort of counseling or medication.

The Lord has dealt with me about the verse: "men's hearts failing them for fear." I believe that often fear is at the root of these matters. In my case, fear regarding whether I'd ever be myself again...fear about how in the world I would cope with the loss of my closest counselors (my parents).

But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a (spirit of) love, and of power, and of a sound mind. That helps me regain balance when the devil plays his games.

And let me mention that the devil is MERCILESS. He doesn't care how badly you are struggling--he will still seek to devour you! He has not one drop of mercy in him! If he thinks you are wounded and about to lose it, he will move in for the kill.

It's not JUST physical, I don't think. I believe it is both physical AND spiritual, with the devil doing all he can to hurt us. But I'm glad that Jesus will be siding with us--and if God be FOR us, who can be against us?

Amen?

Re: Quite Wyatt...I was one of those....

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **8/7/16 10:38 pm**

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5923 **8/7/16 11:19 pm**

One of my pastors said from the pulpit that if you were dealing with depression, you were in sin. All I could think was, "You have no idea where I am walking. I am trying as hard as I can to get out of this pit, and you're gonna tell me I'm in sin?" Not the thing to say to someone likely in clinical depression. I was not suicidal but I understand why people become that way.

It was a terrible time that God eventually brought me out of...through counseling, a lot of hard work on my part, and an anointed man of God laying hands on me. I believe the spiritual part of my healing began that night through prayer, and over the next 18 months, it continued with a wise counselor (also a COG pastor) and learning a lot of things about myself. Sometimes it is easier to tell people, "Just pray about it..." but sometimes you need help. If someone needs help beyond your abilities...point them to someone who can help them.
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Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5923 **8/7/16 11:21 pm**

Ran across this blog tonight and wanted to share it for special needs families. This lady writes from the heart and understands all too well the struggles of a special needs family.

http://www.scarymommy.com/special-needs-child-friendships/
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Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1323 **8/8/16 7:43 am**

I have actually struggled with depression for the last 20 years.

I was diagnosed while still in the military and put on either Zoloft or Prozac, which I've been on one or the other for the same period.

However, about several months ago I realized that the medicine was actually starting to affect me adversely more than my actual depression. If your normal range of emotions is about 6 ft wide, mine would have been about 1 foot wide. I started to feel like a zombie, which is common. Switching meds didn't help either.

I weaned myself off of the medicine and I actually feel better. My daughters even think I'm a much more fun person now I'm not zombie.

The downside is that I get angry a little quicker, but fortunately not at people so that's good. I'm fully trusting God and a lot of prayer to get me through this.

I have a great support system, so that will help as well.

Golf Cart Mafia Capo Famiglia Posts: 4804 **8/8/16 8:57 pm**

Larry and Bonnie -- thank you for posting the definitions...

Depression = Sin ---- horrible theology from someone who is uninformed.. that's just awful...

Patrick --- I have a friend who has recently weened himself off of anti-depressants too. He's doing very well now.
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01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **8/8/16 9:43 pm**

I hope this stays around awhile. BB brought up a very present danger and problem facing us. It has faced us for years, with very little understanding. Too much, as Carolyn sadly brought out, depressed? You must be in sin. etc. I am reading and learning.
Yes, BB, this is important, Thanks.
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Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 5923 **8/8/16 11:26 pm**