Instead of posting a Favorite Part Of Today I am going to share my frustration and honesty about my FB feed Ive seen all day. These feeds are filled with complete ignorance, intolerance, and outright stupidity regarding mental illness. I saw a quote today that said [regarding mental illness] Youd never say its cancer. Just get over it. Telling Christians [and non-believers alike] that its something theyre doing to bring it upon themselves or not praying hard enough, or fighting the good fight of faith baffles me. You ought to know better. Shame on you! Do you not think weve all done that already, When you have the flu, cancer, are blind, deaf, or some other physical ailment how would you feel. Paul, one of the most influential and effective disciples in the Bible had a thorn in the flesh [that was sent by the enemy] and he asked the Lord Himself to take it away THREE TIMES. He wasnt told that he was being punished for some horrible thing he did by God or that it was or that he wasnt praying hard enough, or even that he would be healed. No. He was told, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) Rick Warren, who wrote The Purpose Driven Life, said something in an interview that has stuck with me. Whether you like him or not, or agree with his books and teachings, he said something so true after his son Matthew committed suicide a little over a year ago. He said, We were always praying that either A, he would be healed miraculously, or B, will get treatment, therapy, and medicine that helps him manage his disease for the rest of his life. Its amazing to me that any other organ in your body can break down and theres no shame and stigma to it ... But if your brain breaks down, youre supposed to keep it a secret ... If your brain doesnt work right, why should you be ashamed of that? People, sometimes God chooses to heal miraculously as Mr. Warren noted in this quote. But for many of us, His answers have come in the form of counseling, medicine, and other options available. I dont understand it all everyday when I have to take my medicine or dont want to get out of bed because depression has swallowed me up, but I do know that God is God, Who knows ALL things. I no longer question him on the hows or whys of my personal mental illness issues and neither should you. Ive also learned to speak up on the subject because too many others are suffering in silence. So.....If you are not, dont know of any one with, or been affected by mental illness quit having an opinion and being judgmental with comments on a subject you know nothing about and therefore causing an increase in the stigma associated with mental illness. With being said, sit down at the table with those of us who live with this thorn in the flesh called mental illness. Drink a tall glass of be quiet, Have a hearty plate full of listen, with a side of how can I help and not hurt the situation? Some may say I am being to mean or harsh; that I am judging the judgmental. I believe that its merely me talking to you boldly about a literal life or death, real and raw disease of the mind that are taking way too many lives. Words of intolerance and being uneducated only add to the battle of mental illness. Id rather say something and be perceived as mean over remaining silent and standby as I see and hear foolish non-sense that can quite frankly result in further shame, embarrassment, feelings of inadequacy, and wanting to check out because theyre not being heard, stuck up for, understood, or see this as their fault or something they can control. Now ask me anything youd like to know and I will do my best to answer if I do. But I guarantee you one thing. If I dont know, I wont speak on it until I have the necessary and truthful information. ~ C
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 02:02:17 +0000