When I was a young Christian, I was convinced my depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder were due to my own sin. I refused any medical help until my husband Murray insisted I go to a doctor.
I’m not saying sin isn’t involved. I am only too constantly
aware of my own sin and its consequences.
But I believe all illness, including mental illness, is due
to a fallen world. Because of thousands of years of sin, of turning away from God’s
good way, because of people mistreating other people, their own bodies and
souls, and mistreating the world around us, our world has digressed to illness,
war, tragedy.
The answer to all of this is a relationship with Jesus and a
future in Heaven. In the meantime, however, God has generously given us much
assistance to go through this life of struggle, including medical treatment.
I again and again praise God for the miracle of medical
assistance and medication.
I believe mental illness, as well as diabetes, heart
disease, broken bones, and much, much more, can be helped by medication and
other medical treatments.
I have gone for counseling, and I am sure this is a helpful
tool. At one time in our lives, my husband and I believed that my being hospitalized
in a psychiatric ward was the best solution. And I can’t praise God enough for
the medication which continues to be such a balm for me.
For many years, I was ashamed of my mental illness. Now I
believe those of us with that illness should not be any more ashamed than
someone with diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, etc. No more than other
disabilities, such as my blindness or hearing impairment. This is an illness
which can be helped by medical assistance—praise God!
James 1:16-17: Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and
sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father
of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
As our minds become more clear, we can be more fully involved
in the help Jesus wants to give us.
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For
my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
For many years I’ve been touched by this passage, but
recently I’ve come to a new understanding of it. Jesus isn’t offering to give
us more burdens. He says he will yoke himself to us to help us carry those
burdens that we already have.
I’m embarrassed to share this, but even more important, I
want others who suffer this illness to know they don’t need to be, shouldn’t be
ashamed.
Psalm 103:4: who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with
love and compassion,
I feel that God has redeemed my life from a pit, and I want others suffering from this illness to know that there is hope.