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Imagine yourself in the painting, above. The night is bitterly
cold; the rain has cleared but the street remains wet and muddy. You see bare limbs from the trees, appearing ghostly,
as they are silohetted against the moon-lit sky; this only adds to the feeling of fear as you wonder who or what is around
the bend in the road. As you continue to walk, shivering from cold and fear, you notice the light coming from the windows
in the house and you long to enter that home where it is safe and warm.
b Does the painting provoke any thoughts or feelings in you of cold, fear, or comfort? It does
me. How can a painting, which isn't real, bring about an emotional response? It's possible because it stimulates
memories; in this case, being out in cold, wet night air, perhaps in an area that brought about fear, and looking at
the light through the window of a nearby house, wishing we were home, safe and warm. Our brain remembers and those memories can produce actual
physical response in our bodies, both good and bad. Some people have very vivid memories from past trauma that produce
an immediate emotional and physical response as soon as the memory appears. With some, however, memories are not what
stimulates feelings and emotions, but rather a disruption in the normal working of the brain, body, or both. Fear, anger,
paranoia, depression, and even grandiose ideas of self and ability may be some of the irrational feelings and thoughts
that are produced. For some, they understand their thoughts and feelings aren't real, but irrational, and they are
capable of using self-control in their actions, however difficult it may be. They have found medication may
help them in their self-control, as well as lessen the negative thoughts and feelings. With others they lack the ability to reason between right and
wrong thinking or can not distinguish between what is real and what is hallucination, therefore they may act on
their irrationality, not understanding the right and wrong of a situation. Medicine may help to
control the hallucinations and may help with understanding what is real and what isn't, therefore producing more self-control
of actions.
Those of you with mental health may not understand mental illness or mental disorders. Perhaps you believe
all thinking, feeling, and actions can be controlled, yet you may have felt a little shiver as you
imagine yourself in the painting above. You may have felt the warmth inside as you imagined yourself entering the house
in the painting and leaving the cold night air. All of us, at one time or another, have been brought to tears, as well
as feeling fear or some degree of paranoia because we imagined something to be real, that in reality, didn't exist.
If those with mental health can developed emotions and even physical reactions based on irrational thinking or imagination,
then of course those who have mental illness due to physical defects of the brain or body will have emotions and
physical reactions they can't control. Those who have developed irrational fears and emotions based on trauma need to learn
the tools to deal with their negative thoughts, but this may very well be a lifelong battle. The most important help those
with mental health can give, is patience and understanding.
-Pat Gates
 , FROM THE MAIL
, "I have so many questions regarding mental health and the Bible. Is someone excused for their actions
and wrong decision making because they are diagnosed with a mental health disorder? The Bible says everyone will be
held accountable for their thoughts and actions but what if we are told or married to someone who has been told they have
a mental health disorder that affects their judgement. If someone is married to a person with a disorder how do you
pick and choose what decision to follow, how to trust what they say, and follow their lead when their lead is distorted? What
scriptures can we go to learn the correct way to deal with mental health? Thank You."
RESPONSE FROM PAT: Thank you for writing.
Here are a list of your questions and I'll try to answer the best I know how. If any of you have had personal experience with
these questions, please let us know your thoughts and lessons you have learned. Thank you. Is someone excused for their actions and wrong decision making because they are diagnosed with a mental health disorder?
- The Bible says everyone will be held accountable for their
thoughts and actions but what if we are told or married to someone who has been told they have a mental health disorder that
affects their judgement. If someone is married to a person with a disorder how do you pick and choose what decision
to follow, how to trust what they say, and follow their lead when their lead is distorted?
- What scriptures can we go to learn the correct way to deal with mental health?
(1) Is someone excused for their actions and wrong decision making because they are
diagnosed with a mental health disorder?
I received one response from the mail concerning scriptures that tell us how to treat someone with
mental illness. Thank you to the one responded: Mark 3:20-21 And He came home, and the multitude gathered again, to such an extent that they
could not even eat a meal. And when His own people heard of this they went out to take custody of him; for they were
saying, "He has lost His senses." II Cor 5:13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are
of sound mind, it is for you. Vines: EXISTEMI primarily ant lit. means to put out of position, displace; hence...(b)
to be out of ones mind, to be beside oneself in the latter of which it is contrasted with SOPHRENEO, to be of sound mind.
From these I think it is reasonable to assume that you can be mentally ill and when you are not of sound mind,
your family is expected to take charge. I also think it safe to assume that you can be a spiritual person when you are
"out of your mind." -anonymous
I would answer yes and no in regards to whether the individual is excused
when they make a wrong decision. It's according to what their mental disorder is and whether or not they have the capacity
to reason and to control themselves. This is an important question to Christians because we don't want to misjudge someone
who can't help themselves and at the same time we don't want to enable someone in wrong doing or wrong decision-making if
they can control themselves. There is such a large range of mental illnesses and disorders
and so much we don't know about the body and brain that we are bound to make the mistake of misjudging or enabling a loved
one at least once, if not often. This is the best answer I can give right now because
of the numerous mental disorders/illnesses and because I, personally, don't have enough knowledge to answer. I do know that
it is very difficult for the one with mental disorders/illness and it is a constant battle of the will of the flesh verses
spirit. Loved ones and caregivers need a great deal of patience, understanding, and knowledge. Learn as much as you can about
the disorder as well as learning how to help in your relationship with the individual. Who
is excused and who isn't? If we are talking about wrong decisions that are not sinful, then it's up to loved one
whether or not to overlook the wrong action. Some actions may be best to be overlooked as it will be a matter of "choosing
the battle." Still other decisions may need to be addressed because it may cause harm to the person or to the family.
I would suggest educating yourself on the best way and time to talk to one with the mental illness or mental disorder
they are living with. Education can come from books, support groups, and others with experience. I don't have
experience in this area so it would be good to speak with others who do, and if it is a spouse that has a mental disorder,
the person we need to go to for help needs to be one who believes in working out difficulties, rather than divorce. If we are talking about wrong decisions that are sinful, will God excuse the person with a mental health
disorder? Yes, if they do not have the ability to choose right from wrong as well
as the ability of self-control. No, if they know right from wrong and have the ability not to act on their
impulses and negative thoughts and feelings. While they may not be able to control their thoughts and feelings,
if they can control their actions, God would expect them to do so. Now, God is not without understanding for He knows the
person's battles are much more difficult than others who have their health and He is a merciful God, but He is also a God
who does not excuse wilful sin. While it may be difficult for us to judge whether or not a person has the ability
of self-control, this is not difficult for God. Again, there are so many mental
illnesses and disorders that I can't answer a yes or no to question number 1. If we are speaking of action, I would guess
(I'm not an expert by any means) that many mental disorders can be controlled as far as acting out thoughts and
emotions in a sinful way, howbeit the temptation to do so is much greater than someone without mental disorders.
This is when the ones with health need patience and understanding in order to help and support the one who has decision-making
difficulties. There is also brain injury, disease, and disorders where a person does not have he ability to control
themselves and make rational decisions. Education is a must. Therefore,
to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’
Therefore your sin remains." John 9:41 - I realize Jesus is discussing the Pharisee's hypocritical, deceitful
nature and their refusal to see the truth, but if one can not "see" or understand right from wrong or if they have
thoughts and/or feelings inside they couldn't help, would they be held accountable? In some cases a person with mental problems
may have thoughts and feelings that a person shouldn't if they had their health but they
are able to control their actions; in other cases a person with mental problems may not be able
to control their actions.
(2)
The Bible says everyone will be held accountable for their thoughts and actions but what if we are told or married to someone
who has been told they have a mental health disorder that affects their judgement. If someone is married to a person
with a disorder how do you pick and choose what decision to follow, how to trust what they say, and follow their lead when
their lead is distorted? This
question is covered in a past article. Go to the 2006/2007 archives, scroll down the page to fin the article, "The Struggle Between Submission and Responsibilities When Your
Husband is Bipolar." If the spouse with the mental disorder
has proven himself/herself untrustworthy at times (whether they can help it or not), then you just have to use the best
knowledge and discretion you can at the time. You will probably make mistakes and trust when you shouldn't and don't trust
when you should. I really don't know how to answer this question any other way. This is where you need to speak with those
who have the experience and knowledge, as I do not. I don't know if you are the spouse of the one who has the disorder or
a family member or friend, but in all cases, going to a support group for caregivers or spouses of the mentally ill would
be a very good thing to do. You can gain knowledge and the tools needed to help your loved one and yourself. You can discover
you are not alone in your questions and confusion. Meeting with a therapist who understands the mental illness of your spouse
or loved one and asking these questions would be good as well. However, whether it be support groups or therapists, make sure
they are not espousing ungodliness in their response to you such as divorce; seek out those who want to offer true help and
godly answers. If there is a good support group and/or therapist who has positive,
good ideas and tools to help the couple cope, then it would be great if both spouses joined. There would need to be patience,
wisdom and true desire for help in order for this to be effective.
(3) What scriptures can we go to learn
the correct way to deal with mental health disorders?
(a) What do the scriptures say
about how to deal with someone who has neurobiological mental illness (mental illness from physical damage and disease) It
would be the same answer to, "What do the scriptures have to say about stroke, Alzheimer's
disease, liver disease, vascular dementia, brain tumors, cerebral atrophy, Parkinson's, etc.?" These are all physical
illnesses that can affect the brain, causing mental illness. "I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you
came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You,
or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did
we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to
you, inasmuchas you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me," Matt. 25:36. "And behold, two blind men sitting by the way
side, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, that they should
hold their peace: but they cried out the more, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them,
and said, What will ye that I should do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. And Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes; and straightway they received their sight,
and followed him." Matt. 20:30-33
(B) What do the scriptures have to
say about how we are to treat someone who has stress-related mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, mental fatigue,
and post-traumatic stress disorder due to outside stresses they can't control? It would be the same scriptures that tell us
how to respond to someone who has stress-related illnesses such as migraines, heart disease, gastro-intestinal
disease, and high blood pressure, due to outside stresses they have no control over.
. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted,
support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. (1 Thess. 5:14)
. Don't forget the terrible stress Elijah and Jeremiah experienced as well as Paul and the distress
it caused them. How would we have treated them with their depression and stress? But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that
ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you; for this
cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith," (1Th 3:6-7).
. (C) What do the scriptures have to say about how we are to
treat someone who has, in some cases, mental illnesses due to incorrect lifestyle such as alcoholism, drug abuse, guilt-related
depression due to unrepentant sins or incorrect choices? It would be the same scriptures that tell us how to respond
to someone who has, in some cases, physical illnesses that are self-inflicted because of
incorrect lifestyle such as lung cancer, heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, AIDS, high cholesterol, diabetes and
other health problems? "To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showedfrom his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty," Job 6:14. "To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak:
I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may
be a joint partaker thereof," 1Co 9:22-23. We
are to have an understanding heart that we too have fallen into sin and the sin we committed had consequences, perhaps not
to the same degree as someone who has continually abused their body, but we've experienced consequences nonetheless.
Because of this, we become weak in the sense of understanding the consequences of other's sins and can sympathize with their
suffering from the result of sin, HOWEVER, we need to address their sin and with "truth in love" show them their
error and bring them to Christ. Paul's reason for becoming "weak," was to "gain the weak." He did not
sin to gain sinners, but in understanding and humbleness he did what he could and what was lawful to help the weak obey the
gospel, including and foremost, becoming "weak" in allowing man to persecute him physically
and mentally by not holding back the truth. To help save others, he set his pride and ego aside for the sake of the gospel.
For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also
pray for, even your perfecting. (2Co 13:9) (D) What
do the scriptures have to say about how to treat someone who is mentally ill due to the sins or mistakes from another such
personality disorders, irrational fears, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, etc. due to physical, sexual, and mental
abuse? What do the scriptures have to say about how to treat someone who is ill due to the sins or mistakes from another
such as paralysis, broken bones, disfigurement, and brain injury? Now
we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor
for that which is good, unto edifying. For Christ also pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them
that reproached thee fell upon me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through
patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be
of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God.
(Rom 15:1-7)
g For those with mental disorders/illness, I
know it is a daily battle. I encourage you not to give up trying. Search out whatever tools you need to help you win the battle.
Try your best not to excuse yourself from actions you are able to control and be honest with yourself and with others about your
abilities. Try and work out a plan with your loved ones on how they may help you to cope with the thoughts and feelings you
may be having. At the same time, be honest with yourself and others on what you can not control, keep on keeping on,
leaning on God's strength with prayer.
, "God
is for me." If
you have a righteous heart, putting into practice God's will in your life, as is revealed in the word of God, and if
you examine yourself honestly, according to truth, God is for you. No one can take this from you. No one can take your love
for your Lord away from you, nor His love for you. No malicious words, no misjudgments, and no ignorance of man should ever
influence you to lose your confidence in God's love and protection. You understand
self and understand what the Lord expects from you. You are not fooled by ungodly "wisdom" of man and you know God
does not expect you to deceive yourself in any way, shape, or form. When dealing with physical and mental illness, you
know what you can help and what you can't. You know to lean on your Lord's strength when your body fails,
always gaining spiritual strength in humble recognition that you can not bear the pains of a diseased body alone,
nor the trauma of a sinful world that impacts the righteous. Your Father knows
your heart and He knows your body. While we need to be at peace with others when it is within our power to be so, you know,
with confidence, that the One you are to please in the long run, is God. You know He understands you, therefore you can take
heart that no matter how others misjudge you and speak ill of you, your Father knows the truth. He is for you.
Who
shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own
Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against
God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who
is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand
of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long;We are accounted
as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded
that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor
depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans
8:31-39
There's No Such Thing As A Migraine Pat Gates
Several years ago a highly respected
neurologist at a teaching university was discussing the problem of diagnosing illnesses when medical tests come back negative.
He told me doctors make a mistake when they dismiss invisible illness (negative medical tests) as originating from
low seratonin levels and hand out prescriptions for an antidepressant without taking their time and listening to the
patient. He and other well respected neurologists have admitted to me that so little is known about the brain and they are
hoping the research going on now will help them in diagnosing patients in the future. One neurologist told me there are known viruses that they know so little about
and`some were yet to be discovered. Because of fMRI
(functional magnetic resonance imaging) they now can see the damage of some brain diseases that previously
were unidentifiable to the eye, except by clinical observation of the patient. However, the neurologist told me just because
a disease or syndrome doesn't show up in medical tests doesn't prove it doesn't exist. He gave me the example that they now
have visible proof of schizophrenia but they still have no medical tests that prove migraines exist. His point was, there
is bias and ignorance with some doctors; while they accept migraines as a real, organic medical condition, even
when they have no actual physical proof of its existence, they so easily dismiss other illnesses that don't show
up in tests, especially if the illness is affecting the brain or nervous system. I
was thinking about this in terms of how Scientologists and other people, including a few Christians, believe that mental illness
does not exist because there is not a medical test that proves its existence (which in itself is not a correct statement).
If this reasoning holds true and logic demands consistency then...... Migraines don't exist:
(1) Doctors have never seen a
migraine; there are no visible proofs that migraines exist. Genetic causes - autosomal dominance, Secondary to brain
dysfunction, Depolarization theory, Vascular theory, Family history of migraine headaches (70-80%),
Medications (ie, birth control pills, vasodilators), Fatigue or emotional stress, Specific
foods or alcohol, Exertion, The exact cause of migraine is unknown. Migraine is most likely a heterogeneous disorder and has trigger factors
and multiple physiologic causes, Birth control pills as well as hormone
replacement therapy during menopause www.wrongdiagnosis.com
(2) There are no medical tests
that will diagnose a migraine. - Although
no specific blood tests or brain scans currently exist to diagnose migraines, Dr. Finkel notes that
simply listening and taking a good medical history are a doctor's most important tools for evaluating a headache. -www.everyhealth.com
- Reliable objective test for the diagnosis of migraine-related
dizziness remains elusive, and the diagnosis of this patient group continues to be suboptimal. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Volume 131, Issue 5, Pages 736-739
T.Le, C.Burch, E.Sargent
- A
MRI scan is not able to diagnose migraines, cluster, or tension headaches. www.webmd.com
- Other tests, such as those for ‘allergies’ or which seek
to identify triggers for the migraine are of little help. Blood tests are normal in migraine. www.netdoctor.co.uk
(3) Don't talk about
chemical changes in the brain and migraines - there's never been any proof about "chemical changes." It's ridiculous
to excuse migraines by saying there are "chemical changes." Migraine is a genetic neurological disease. The causes
are genetics and overactive neurons in the brain that respond to physiological triggers that start a Migraine attack.
That starts a cascade of events that include changing levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine,
dilation of blood vessels, and inflammation of the tissues and nerves surrounding the blood vessels. John Claude Krusz MD www.healthcentral.com (4)
To say there are mental and emotional disturbances with migraines is admitting migraines don't exist and it is ridiculous
to believe people can have hallucinations or "auras." Not one of the auras can be tested or proven. "Migraines"
are just an excuse for people to be depressed. A
migraine with aura comes with additional symptoms, which often begin about 30 minutes or less before the headache. These early
symptoms are called a prodrome.The prodrome or aura may last for 5 to 20 minutes, or it may continue even after the headache
subsides. Symptoms of aura include: - blind
spots or scotomas
- blindness in half of your
visual field in one or both eyes (hemianopsia)
- seeing
zigzag patterns (fortification)
- seeing flashing
lights (scintilla)
- feeling prickling skin
(paresthesia)
- weakness
- seeing things that aren’t really there (hallucinations)
- olfactory aura - smelling odors that aren't really
there (I ususally smell something burning or like hot, electircal wires or bad, rotten odors) webmd.com
Migraines without auras are more common, occurring in 80 to 85
percent of migraine sufferers. Several hours before the onset of the headache, the person can experience vague symptoms, including: - Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
or tiredness (Cleveland clinic)
(4)
Stress can bring on migraines, therefore they are psychogenic and can be prevented. Emotional stress is one of the most common triggers of migraines. Migraine sufferers are generally found to be more
emotional and highly effected by stressful events. During stressful events, certain chemicals in the brain are released to
combat the situation (know as the "flight or fight" response). The release of these chemicals can provoke blood
vessel changes that can cause migraine headaches. webmd.com (5)
Christians have no business getting a so-called "migraines" nor should they believe "migraines" exist
as they are just excuses to practice sinful behavior.
----------------- I hope you realize I do believe migraines exist and stem from an
organic source. I also believe mental illness exist and while some psychologist's beliefs are wrong due to lack of knowledge
about the brain, or due to ungodliness, there is no reason to "throw the baby out with the bath water," in this
case, throwing out the existence of mental illness because of the ignorance or ungodliness of some scientists and doctors. After
all, we don't throw out the belief of diseases that affect us from the neck down because there are some ungodly,
ignorant medical doctors who believe in and practice abortion, hand out antidepressants to every patient who they can't
diagnose, and make errors (sometimes very serious errors) with their patients. I am not trying to be sarcastic in this article, but trying my best to use reasoning and logic about
the existence of mental illness, even though I do admit there have been abuses in the field of psychology just like there
are in all medical specialties. In future publications, I would like to continue with the topic of the existence of mental
illness but instead of using the entire page I'll place some thoughts in the column, "Throwing the baby out with the
bath water" (see right side of the page).
How Can I Keep on Singing?
My
life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails
a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing? What though my joys and comforts
die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No
storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing? I lift mine eyes; the cloud
grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His—
How can I keep from singing?
Robert Lowry
. The God Who Supplies All Our Needs , Here is a dilemma for your consideration:
You are driving along on a wild stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:
1. An old lady who is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect man
(or woman) you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose, knowing that there could only be one passenger
in your car?
This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.
You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old
friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able
to find your perfect dream lover again.
Think before you continue reading....................................
The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer.
His answer was, "I would give the car keys to my old friend, and let him take the old lady to the hospital. I would
stay behind and wait for the bus with the woman of my dreams."
Why didn't I think of that??? I was feeling
pretty good about taking care of the needs of that old lady, and along comes someone who meets ALL of their needs!
It's very much the way I feel before God. I am a person who gets pleasure from trying to meet the needs of people around
me. But, so often I fall short. That's why I'm so very thankful to have a God who can not only meet all my needs, but also
the needs of everyone else I come in contact with.
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Phil 4:19-20)
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
More Than We Ask or Imagine
A 60-year-old couple was celebrating their 40th year of marriage. During the celebration,
a genie appeared and said, "Because you have been such a loving couple all those years, I would like to give you each
one wish."
The wife quickly chimed in, "I want to travel around the world." The genie waved his
arms and, POOF!, she had the tickets in her hand.
Next, it was the husband's turn. He paused for a moment, then
said shyly, "Well, I'd like to have a wife 30 years younger than me." The genie waved his arms and, POOF!, he was
90 years old.
We seem to be fascinated by stories of magic genies granting wishes (why is it usually three wishes?).
Which of us hasn't sat and wondered at some point in time, "If a genie granted me three wishes, what would I wish for?"
God is not, as some imagine Him, a magic genie waiting at our beck and call to give us everything we ask for (see
James 4:3). But there is certainly that level of power and ability at His disposal. Listen to these words of Paul:
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work
within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians
3:20-21, NIV)
God is able to do more than I ask of Him. That's pretty amazing, considering that I have some pretty
difficult requests. Furthermore (and this is really mind-boggling), God is able to do more than I can even imagine! I don't
know about you, but I can imagine quite a bit. Yet, Paul assures us that God is not only able to do all that we ask or imagine
-- he is able to do more, immeasurably more!
When things in life are beyond my control, I find comfort in knowing
that God has such power -- not the power of an imaginary genie but the power of a living awesome Father. Sometimes we offer
to pray for others saying, "It's the least I can do." How wrong we are. Considering the power of God, it's the most
we can do!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
10% of life is made up of what
happens to you.
...90% of life is decided by how you react...
What does this mean?
We really have NO control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late
arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in the traffic.
The other 90% is different.
You determine the other 90%.
How?... By your reaction.
Do not let people fool you. YOU can control how you react.
Let us use an example...
You are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You
have no control over what has just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react.
You curse.
You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your
wife and you criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows.
You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her
breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to
the car and drive your daughter to school.
Because you are late, you drive 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed
limit zone. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60.00 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the
building without saying goodbye.
After arriving at the office 20 minute late, you realize you forgot your briefcase.
Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home. When you
arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter.
Why? Because of how
you reacted in the morning.
Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee
cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?
The
answer is "D"
You had no control over what happened with the coffee.
How
you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.
Here is what could have and should
have happened.
Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: "It's okay,
honey, you just need to be more careful next time." Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt. You grab
your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns
and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early a cheerfully greet the staff.
Notice the difference?
Two different scenarios.
Both started the same. Both ended different.
Why? Because of how
you reacted.
You really have
no control over 10% of what happens in your life.
The other 90% was determined by your reaction.
Here
are some ways to apply the 90/10 Principle.
If someone says something negative about you, do not be a
sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You do not have to let the negative comments affect you.
React
properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, or getting
stressed out.
How do you react if someone cuts you off in the traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound
on the steering wheel? (a friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off), Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket?
Who cares if you arrive 10 seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?
Remember the 90/10
Principle and don't worry about it.
You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated?
It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time to find a new job.
The plane is late. It is going to mangle
your schedule for the day. Why take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.
Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger, why stress out? It will just make things worse.
Now
you know the 90/10 Principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you
try it.
The 90/10 Principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this Principle.
The result?
You will see it by yourself!
Millions of people
are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and headaches. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 Principle.
It can change your life! Enjoy it!
It only takes willpower to give ourselves permission to make
the experience. Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think, it's like a Boomerang. It will come back to
us.
If we want to receive, we need to learn to give first. Maybe we will end with our hands empty, but our heart
will be filled with love. And those who love life, have that feeling marked in their hearts.
--- Stephen Covey submitted by Susan Grant
. I'm going to begin a series of articles regarding
depression and mental illness that is the product of sin. If you have been a regular reader of this page you know I don't
believe all depression and mental illness comes from sin, but they can very well be the result of living with the burden
of guilt or being involved in sinful activity that affects the physical body. At the present time I'm having difficulty with physical weakness and cognitive difficulties so I'm not
able to finish what I had planned for this month; instead, I copied the 73rd Psalm, which goes along with
the theme, along with my comments in the right column. -Pat
.Psalm 73A
Psalm of Asaph
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1 Truly God is good to Israel,
To
such as are pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost
stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
3
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity
of the wicked.
4
For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength
is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor
are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride serves as their
necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They
have more than heart could wish.
8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning
oppression;
They speak loftily.
9
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks
through the earth.
10
Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup
are drained by them.
11 And they say, “How does God know?
And
is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12 Behold, these
are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They
increase in riches.
13 Surely I have cleansed
my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
14 For all day long I have been plagued,
And
chastened every morning.
15
If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would
have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When
I thought how to understand this,
It was too
painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then
I understood their end.
18
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They
are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awakes,
So,
Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved,
And
I was vexed in my mind.
22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
I
was like a beast before You.
23 Nevertheless I am continually
with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
And
afterward receive me to glory.
25
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none
upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But
God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You
have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
28 But
it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust
in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.
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.. The Psalmist thoughts go inward and he begans to feel sorry for himself which leads to the conclusion that
the effort it took to be righteous was a waste of time as his toubles increased which the wicked remained at ease and continually
prospered. . . . . . . . Rather
than speaking his thoughts, he kept them in his mind which led to the great pain of a confused mind as the psalmist questioned
what he had known to be right. . . . "Until I went to the sanctuary of God." I love this verse as it is a testimony of the comfort
and peace truth brings to a troubled mind. . . . The Psalmist recalls his envy of the prosperity of the wicked and he is
reminded of the grief and anxiety that was produced from his foolish and ignorant thoughts. He described himself as an animal,
one devoid understanding and gratitude. . . . . . It is good to draw near to God for in Him
is forgiveness, direction, and the beautiful comfort of peace of mind.
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. NOTE FROM PAT: On the left side of the table below I copied Dr. Caprio's list of ways to help ourselves be stronger in this
life. On the surface it looks great, but to a Christian, there is something a bit too prominent ("I") and something
else missing (God). There are many ideas in books and emails that get passed around, but we should always measure what man
says by the standard of the word of God. Dr. Caprio's list is an example of almost good ideas except we will never be mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually stable without placing our Lord and His wisdom and strength in each of these suggestions. Therefore,
I supported or strengthened Dr. Caprio's recommendations with Truth from God that we MUST live by for our ultimate well-being.
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Dr. Caprio's List
I am determined to survive whatever disappointments and setbacks come my way.
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My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. 15:58
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I am convinced that I can never solve my problems by running away from them.
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Remember Jonah! After things got much worse he stil had to
deal with his original problem. Book of Jonah
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I am going to find happiness in the joy of accomplishments.
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Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,
but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Cor. 9:24
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I am going to have people accept me for what I am rather than for what I pretend
to be.
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For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please
men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Gal. 1:10
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I am going to learn to laugh more. Laughter will make my life more endurable.
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A merry heart does good, like medicine, But
a broken spirit dries the bones. Prov. 17:22
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I am never going to lose my zest for living. Life is beautiful despite all its
imperfections.
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Who is the man who desires life, And loves
many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil
and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. Psa. 34:12-14
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I know that life is what I make it. I can be a winner or loser. The choice is
mine.
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But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,
lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Cor. 9:27
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I am going to develop a positive image of myself.
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But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous
light. 1 Pet. 2:9
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I am going to have compassion for my fellowman and abide by the Golden Rule -
doing unto others as I would want them to do unto me.
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And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them
likewise. Luke 6:31
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I am going to believe in my potential. Self-confidence is necessary for success and happiness.
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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil.
4:13
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I plan to take control of my life, avoiding anything that is harmful to my health and well-being.
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You were bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are
God's. 1 Cor. 6:20
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I will never abandon my faith in myself, faith in a Higher Power and faith in
mankind.
Frank S. Caprio MD
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Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything
as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Cor. 3:5
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He "Disrespected" Me
Greg Gwin It's common to hear the young folks speak of someone "dissing" another person. That is a shortened slang
word for "disrespecting", which means to treat with contempt or rudeness. Sadly, this happens far too often. In
fact, it happened to me just the other day. The offender was a man in a position of governmental authority. I was a simple
law-abiding citizen. In a verbal exchange, he was rude and mean-spirited. He "dissed" me! Later, I was thinking about this episode, and considering what I could have said or done. I imagined quick and cutting
replies I could have made. This man needed to be taught a thing or two. "Put him in his place," I thought. Or, perhaps
I should have gotten his name and notified his superiors concerning his inappropriate behavior. Let his bosses deal with this
arrogant fella. After all, if he is to be out in the public, he needs to know how to relate to others in the right way. I
was angry -- downright mad -- and there was surely some way to "get even" with this haughty, obnoxious individual. But then, it occurred to me that it didn't really matter. So what if he was rude? It didn't harm
me in any significant way. The only damage was to my pride, and that isn't important at all. In fact, the only thing my pride
does is get me in trouble. He "dissed" me, but I'm no worse for the episode. Our
Lord taught us that when our pride is assaulted we ought to "turn the other cheek" and "go the extra mile"
(Matthew 5:38-42). The only reason this is hard is because we are tempted to "think more highly of ourselves than we
ought to think" (Romans 12:3). We are not implying that such "disrespect"
is OK, or that it is excusable. Neither are we saying that God won't hold men accountable for such things. But, the lesson
for us is that we learn to live with it in a way that will not harm our relationship with the Father or our influence on others.
In the final analysis, that's really all that matters.
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 hristians who believe that mental illnesses or disabilities are merely matters of the will that can be overcome
by the strength of our spirits have a fundamental misunderstanding of our dual nature. Our spirits and our bodies are not
independent (as the Buddhists teach) but are intimately linked until they are finally separated at death. Some mental illness
is the result of physical problems in physical brains, and can be no more overcome by willpower or therapy than can be diabetes.
When therapy is the best possible treatment for a mental illness, then I've got
no doubt that such therapy should be Biblical in nature, but it should also be informed by medical expertise. When drugs are
required to treat a physical problem in the brain, then they should not be rejected any more than a diabetic would reject
insulin. It's unnerving to accept that physical changes in our
brains can affect our mental processes, but they can. Does this undermine the concept of free will? No, but it qualifies our
free will. A man with a broken leg may want to run a marathon, but his failure to do so isn't the result of a lack of willpower.
His free will may desire to, but his body simply cannot. A man with schizophrenia, or mania, or depression may want
to act normally, but his brain will not cooperate. Therapy
is an important part of treatment for these diseases, but therapy alone will often not mitigate their symptoms enough to allow
the normal exercise of free will. A man with diabetes receives therapy and instruction on how to
manage his disease, what he should eat, and what sorts of activities he needs to limit, but even with the best therapy and
willpower a diabetic may require insulin injections. A man with depression may require drugs to enable his body/brain to act
on the instructions he is given in therapy and that his free will wants to carry out. As with many issues, consideration of mental health issues requires a great deal of discernment on the part of Christians.
It's true that many people are simply looking for ways to escape responsibility for their decisions and are quick to claim
that some force outside of their control compelled them to act badly. Sometimes that's true and sometimes
it's not, but Christians who dismiss all such claims will end up ignoring some of the most hurting people in the world who
are in desperate need of God's love.* In Heaven there will be no mental illness just as there is no physical illness. As Christians we live with an expectation
for that future, but we haven't reached it yet. Christians need to properly understand the nature of mental illness and mental
disability if we hope to share God's love with people who are suffering. ******* * NOTE FROM PAT: While I do believe some physical illness
can compell a person to act "badly," where they have no self-control, there are many physical illnesses that do,
indeed, compell us to act badly when we can control ourselves, and sometimes it takes a great effort to do so. As an example,
when we feel "nervous" it is so easy to "snap" at someone, but we can control it and if we lose control
we can apologize quickly. Either way, we all need love and understanding from others because whether we know what we're doing
or not, it hurts.
The following is a partial
list of brain and body diseases, syndromes, and injuries that may cause cognitive difficulties, depression, hallucinations,
emotional lability, dementia, and other mental disorders and illnesses.
- Anaphylaxis
- Aortic dissection
- Bipolar Disorder
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Carukia
barnesi sting
- Coronary artery disease
- Herbal Agent overdose
- Myocardial infarction
- Pheochromocytoma
- Cerebral palsy
- Stroke
- Brain damage
- Head injury
- Brain diseases
- Tertiary syphilis
- Certain
vitamin deficiencies
- Certain metabolic disorders
- Gaucher's disease
- Acid
lipase disease
- Faber's disease
- Lesch Nyhan syndrome
- Metaolic myopathies
- Mitochondrial myopthies
- Mucopolysaccharidoses
- Mucolipidses
- Gangliosidoses
- G6PD
deficiency
- Biotinidase deficieny
- Lipid storage diseases
- Methyl malonic aciduria
- Pompe disease
- Glycogen
storage disease
- Hyperoxaluria
- Propionic aciduria
- Multiple CoA carboxylase deficiency
- Porphyria
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- Zellweger syndrome
- Lesch Nyhan syndrome
- Phenylketonuria
- Glycogen storage disorders
- Gaucher's disease
- Maple
syrup urine disease
- Organic aciduria
- Alkaptonuria
- Lipid
storage diseases
- Amyloidosis
- Central pontine myelinosis
- Mitochondrial myopthies
- Pompe disease
- Mucopolysaccharidoses
- Mucolipidosis
- Alkaptonuria
- Biotinidase
deficiency
- Galactosemia
- Niemann pick disease
- Ornithine translocase deficiency
- Maple syrup urine disease
- Glycine encephalopathy
- Homocystinuria
- Glutathione synthetase deficiency
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Hypophosphatasia
- Tyrosinemia
- Sialic
acid storage disease
- Pyruvate carboxylase deficiency
- Metabolic myopathies
- Propionic
aciduria
- Hyperoxaluria
- Oxalosis
- Nonketotic hyperglycemia
- Urea cycle disorders
- Methymalonic
aciduria
- Biotinidase deficiency
- Barth syndrome
- G6PD deficiency
- Farber's disease
- Carnithine
transferase deficiency
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Korsakoff's
syndrome
- Alzheimer's disease
- Lewy body dementia
- Multi-infarct dementia
- Parkinson's disease
- CNS
infections
–HIV encephalitis
–Meningitis
–Herpes encephalitis
–Creutzfeldt-Jacob
disease
–Cerebral abscess
–Neurosyphilis - Head trauma
- Pick's
disease
- Chronic subdural hematoma
- Huntington's disease
- Chronic hydrocephalus
- Paraneoplastic encephalitis
- Hypothyroidism
- Cerebral vasculitis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus cerebritis)
- Hypoxia
- Carbon
dioxide narcosis
- Korsakoff's psychosis
- Meningitis
- Prescription
drugs
- Ambenonium
- Arylsulphatase A deficiency
- Behcet's disease
- Borrelia burgdorferi
- Colistimethate
- Distigmine
- Embolism
- Fahr disease
Haemochromatosis Kluver-Bucy syndrome Legionella
pneumophila Leptospira hebdomadis
Levetiracetam Mefloquine Metastatic neoplasm Mycobacterium tuberculosis Neostigmine Paraneoplastic
limbic encephalitis Paraneoplastic
syndrome Pernicious anaemia
Polyarteritis nodosa Posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome Selenium Smoke inhalation Susac's syndrome Tetrabenazine
Thallium Toxoplasma Typhus fever Variegate porphyria Vitamin
B12 deficiency Waldenström
macroglobulinaemia Yersinia
pestis Brain injury Brain degeneration Pseudobulbar palsy Multiple sclerosis Chronic
diseases Motor neuron diseases
Alzheimer's disease Multiple-infarct dementia Cerebral tumour HIV Neurosyphilis
Creutzfeldt Jakob disease Lead poisoning Normal pressure hydrocephalus Huntington disease Acquired brain injury Post
encephalitis Head trauma Aging brain syndrome - Vitamin
deficiency (B12, thiamine)
- Aromatic
amino acid decarboxylase deficiency
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Liver
Disease
- Heart Disease
- Anoxia
- Battaglia Neri syndrome
- Brain abscess
- Brain
cancer
- Cryptococcosis
- Encephalitis
- Extradural hematoma
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- HARD
syndrome
- Korsakoff's psychosis
- Medulloblastoma
- Meningitis
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Subdural hematoma
- Traumatic
Brain Injury
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar
Disorder
- Hypothyroidism
- Wilson's disease
- Chronic hypoglycemia or hypocalcemia
- Uremic encephalopathy
- Dialysis dementia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Hydrocephalus
- Postanoxic
dementia
- Heart surgery
www.wrongdiagnosis.com list 3507 causes of neurologic disoders or cognitive impairment
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