Mental Illness Revisited...

[Sweet Pea]

Evang.Benincasa

Yes, I put your name big and bold - I want you to know that I'm talking to you.

I have been in Oneness Pentecost all my life (and that's quite a few years). The first place my mother took me after my birth was to church. I have SEEN with my own eyes miraculous healings! I personally have been healed - on many one occasions.

I have also seen friends and relatives that God did not heal of cancer and other terminal diseases. It in NO way discredits God or causes me to lose faith in Him. Sometimes I question and wonder - but I stand on the fact that I personally believe God does ALL things well. I also DO NOT believe that when someone isn't healed that it is a lack of faith on their part (or anyone else's)! Having said all of that....

Until you have sat with, cried with, prayed with and hurt with someone who suffers from a mental "illness", you cannot understand the depth of despair that comments like your cause. I am close to someone who most definitely has a physiological cause of mental distress. I'm talking about severe and debilitating anxiety, depression and fear - almost to the point of suicide. The fear mostly due to their spiritual well-being - ALL because some "good hearted" person told them to fast, pray and "get over it".

They can't "get over it" any more that they can "get over cancer". Either God performs a miraculous healing - OR He uses medical science. HE gave the knowledge and I believe we are to use it.

Having said all that, I personally believe that a born-again, Holy Ghost Christian should not suffer from the day to day "depression" and "blues" that affect a lot of people in our culture today. I believe that we are to live a victorious and overcoming life. But sometimes in the living, there are those who suffer untold misery and pain because people don't have any empathy for a very real and true illness of the mind!!!! These people need our support and prayer and furthermore, their families need more support and prayer than you could ever imagine. There are CHRISTIAN - HOLY GHOST filled medical doctors who can counsel and help someone get through this.


For too long the church has ignored this issue and stated that "you don't need zoloft, prozac, anxiety medication, Bless God, you just need a good dose of the Holy Ghost!" I personally know someone who IS Holy Ghost filled and portrays a more Christ-like spirit than most people in church; however, this person deals with major depression and anxiety on a day to day basis - just praying and waiting for the miraculous healing!!! In the meantime, this person cannot make it through life without the aid of medication prescribed by a medical doctor and don't you (or anyone else) even begin to insinuate that this person doesn't "know" God.

I will climb down off my soapbox now and go quietly on my way - but please stop and think before you speak in this manner again. I pray that you or someone close to you is never afflicted by any type of mental illness! It can be hell on earth and only knowing Jesus has helped this person I know survive!