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!

[RandyWayne]

Like I have said on many occasions, I too suffer from major depression. God has never healed me of it, but He HAS helped me tremendously to deal with it.

[Sweet Pea]

Randy, my heart breaks for those who suffer from major depression and anxiety. May the Lord continue to help you - and believing with you for a complete and total healing - in God's time!

[endtimer]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Like I have said on many occasions, I too suffer from major depression. God has never healed me of it, but He HAS helped me tremendously to deal with it.

I suffered with it for a few years during my pastorate and for about a year after. It took me a long time to recognize and admit I was dealing with it. I even argued with the Dr. over it because I didnt believe HG filled believers got depressed. The Dr won that argument. God did help me with it for a few years and eventually miraculously healed me. Havent dealt with it since. It's been at least 5-6 years. praise God! BTW the dirty secret is... many preachers deal with depression but don't say anything because of the stigma. Very few of my friends know about my situation.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Someone very close has been dx'd with TBI, PTSD, Major Depression w/ psychotic features, Anxiety Disorder and has had at least four occasions where this person was very sad and suicidal (with a plan, and clearly expressed it).

At times, I believe this someone to be a genuine Christian, but honestly, I just don't know how it is possible for this person to have the dramatic highs and the traumatic lows like so.

When this person is down, this person is really, really down-- saying and maybe even believing things like God hates him, there isn't a God or else He wouldn't have allowed X, Y, and Q (because X, Y, and Z would be logical but this person isn't logical when they are sad).

It's frustrating to realize the sickness, realize what's happening, but be absolutely unable to do anything about it for this person.

Sometimes, I wonder if the person will ever go all the way one day.

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Like I have said on many occasions, I too suffer from major depression. God has never healed me of it, but He HAS helped me tremendously to deal with it.

Randy I row the boat as well. It is not fun and some days it just sucks to me.

I have screamed at the top of my lungs during my prayer time than I care to tell, to just to ask God if he does not see what I am going through. The ceiling is quiet most times and other time I have felt a peace come over me.

Randy I pray allot and I run so I keep balance.

Through it all God has been good to me!

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by 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!

SWEET PEA

I return the favor with the large font.

Because I want you to know that you don't know me.

You know nothing about my life, what I have been through in my past, and in my present.

Depression? Not since I have been in the Apostolic Faith, and believe me if anyone can tell horror stories it can be me. Please forgive me, but I feel I need to say this, maybe being in the Oneness Pentecostal movement since birth might of been more of deficient then a plus, especially in this area.

Mental illness is not an illness. Scarlet fever is an illness, Spring fever is a feeling.

Psychotropic medications are worse than the cure, because the side effects need more meds to counteract the bad side effects. I work with people who are suffering (not from their supposed illness) but from the psychotropics they take. Which isn't medicine, but are hard mind medication. Look through the DSM-IV read through all the so-called mental illnesses. That's madness.
I know people who have broken free from the quagmire called psychiatry.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by ILG

It's possible.

Is it possible for someone who knows God to be majorly depressed?

Why? Why saddle someone with the least, instead of giving them the hope that they can break free?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Someone very close has been dx'd with TBI, PTSD, Major Depression w/ psychotic features, Anxiety Disorder and has had at least four occasions where this person was very sad and suicidal (with a plan, and clearly expressed it).

At times, I believe this someone to be a genuine Christian, but honestly, I just don't know how it is possible for this person to have the dramatic highs and the traumatic lows like so.

When this person is down, this person is really, really down-- saying and maybe even believing things like God hates him, there isn't a God or else He wouldn't have allowed X, Y, and Q (because X, Y, and Z would be logical but this person isn't logical when they are sad).

It's frustrating to realize the sickness, realize what's happening, but be absolutely unable to do anything about it for this person.

Sometimes, I wonder if the person will ever go all the way one day.

You are talking about bipolar, that is what my wife suffered with her entire life. She had a really bad situation which had her go to a UPCI church which was pastored by Brother Wayne Rooks, and Brother Bobby Stewart. When she received the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in other tongues she was healed and never had another episode. Never, we have two beautiful girls and my wife has been through a lot since she as (an evangelist's wife) has been in the church, but NEVER has had an episode with the issues of bipolar. I will be praying for your friend, keep praying with him, and telling him he can do it through the power of Jesus Christ.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by navygoat1998

Randy I row the boat as well. It is not fun and some days it just sucks to me.

I have screamed at the top of my lungs during my prayer time than I care to tell, to just to ask God if he does not see what I am going through. The ceiling is quiet most times and other time I have felt a peace come over me.

Randy I pray allot and I run so I keep balance.

Through it all God has been good to me!

I pray as well, but I have also learned to pray sight unseen a long time ago. The reason? All of those who say "Just give it to God and claim the victory!" and "You just need a good prayin through!" don't need to see me pray. Most of those are like Job's friends and wife who, once he wasn't instantly delivered from his trials, just told him to curse God and die because obviously he (Job) was at fault somehow and should just give in.