Do you think that being a Christian makes a difference

IN having Bi-polar.? Do you think that God should heal the desease. or help us cope with it..?

 I think the  grace we have as Christians helps us have less severe symtoms if we are asking for grace each day..

sometimes I ask God to heal me of Bipolar.? just as healing of a cancer or other illness.... 

Being a christian makes a difference to me because it is another area of support.  One of the problems however with having BP and being involved in any religion is that it is so easy to take to extremes which has been a real problem for me through the years looking back on it.  Right now I'm just trying to let the meds do their work, along with the therapy from professionals, and really pulling back from church and just staying in contact with a couple key people including my pastor.  Just like at work and even among family, most christians don't have an understanding of mental illness or BP and therefore can give some really terrible advice such as "just pray about it" or "God will heal you, you don't need the meds or the secular docs", etc.  For those of you familiar with the book of Job in the bible, it's almost like the advice that his friends gave him when he was going through his terrible time - it didn't help.  I would highly advise that you stay away from such advice.  Fortunately for me, my pastor has a real understanding of mental illness and even wants to attend some support groups through the local hospital to gain a better understanding.  Ultimately I don't know why I have BP and it really doesn't matter.  I have it and in a strange way, God has blessed me through it in some ways by being more sensitive to others that are dealing with heavy life issues whereas before I was the one giving the bad advice out of my own ignorance.

i realy have no right to horne in on this thread because, as most of you know, i'm jewish.  but you raised a few interesting points that i would like to addr4ess based upon upn my education and experience.

did you know that if an alien from alpha proxima (c4 light years from our sun) came to the earth and wanted to take samples of the people on this planet, the alien would select a yellow person.  yes, my friends, there are more yellow people than whites on this douer old planet of ours.  and if that alien wanted to take a sample of the religious celebration on this planet, that alien would take a muslem.  sorry, christians.  how does it feel to be a minority?  i'm used to it.  islam far exceeds chrisianity in adherents.

does being a christian help one deal with adversity, because that's what this d*mned disease is?  maybe.  but not much better than an adherent and true beleiver of any other religion.  personaly, i find a great deal of strength and hope in my belief system (you can have the son, i've got the old man  

perhaps what i've learned most is that we all need something to believe in - even if it's "nothing" as an athiest (i've known a few devout ones of those in my life, too).  if your religion or belief system provides you solice, then cleave to it fiersely.  i know i do.

do christians have the market cornered on god, religion, and god's blessings? based upon my education and experience, i think not.

sorry for this rant.  threads like this that define a certain belief system as the answer for everyone and everything makes me ill.  the concept is simply unfounded and, at best, is a wish fulfillment fantasy used as an excuse to make someone "right" and everyone else "wrong."  personally, i don't have to stomp on others to feel good.  i know i'm ok and that my belief system works for me.  i hope and pray that yours works equally well for you.  do either of us have exclusivity?  i don't think so.

warren

sorry for this rant.  threads like this that define a certain belief system as the answer for everyone and everything makes me ill.  the concept is simply unfounded and, at best, is a wish fulfillment fantasy used as an excuse to make someone "right" and everyone else "wrong."  personally, i don't have to stomp on others to feel good.  i know i'm ok and that my belief system works for me.  i hope and pray that yours works equally well for you.  do either of us have exclusivity?  i don't think so.

warren

WM, come on, where in the title or in this thread is anyone telling you that christianity is the answer for everyone?  The flame was never on in this thread so please don't turn it on.  I think the original poster is asking a very valid question that I as a christian with BP struggle with daily. 

thanks for replying.... recently  I had hallucinations, which had never happened to me before. and because. I am a Christian I kept praying God deliver me from this. and keep me safe. He did just that...someone took me to the hospital..I didnt even think of doing that as I didnt know I was hallucinating.I saw angels and  moving objects in my bedroom, and was extremely fearful.. you see I was so far gone as to not know what was happening.but God did. the years of prayer helped me in need...    

this is  just an example how being a Christian helps with  our Bi-polar. 

hugs Caren

Caren, I am glad you had someone that you trusted to take you to the hospital. First with this disease you are not alone. And how wonderful you have a God in your life. As you know it is in His time not ours. So don't cease in praying. Though our prayers are sometimes answered slowly or with "no". Praying has proven helpful in my recovery. (I speak from my own experience and understand that not everyone has the same belief, but since you appear to be a believer this is why I am responding)

I was diganoised BP in 1993, one of my biggest down falls was always trying to get off the medications. It is part of this disease. I had to make an honest promise to my doctor, husband and family that I would continue my medications because they did help me and I did need them. (this was after many attempts to quit and trips to the hospital) I finally believed the doctor and diagnosis due to what would happen to me each attempt. Regular doctor visits and med adjustments are part of the process. You are worth it!!! God does not make junk!!

Beginning of 2006 I was really praying for God to release me from BP. I needed to be relieved because the cost of medication. I prayed at a great Christian retreat in March for healing, I prayed at a wonderful Summer womans retreat. Both of these with witnesses. I prayed to believe I was healed and would be healed. Well, no changes. That's ok. His time not mine. Then in November 2006 I was told of Tahitian Noni Juice. "Gift from God". For me it has changed my cellular system and healed my very sick immune system and my BP.

Was it because I prayed for healing that TNJ came into my life or what?? I don't know. I am not on God's favorite list or have a direct line. All I know is I tried it for my immune system and got much greater results. Will it work for others in the same way? I have no idea. But I know, my family knows, my doctor knows and I know it has worked for me. Will it always work? I don't know. How long will it work? I don't know. Will I return to my med's if I relaps. Absolutely. But as of today and the last 3 months I have had a dramatic change that everyone who knows me asks me what is different about me. They say I am more alert, they say my eyes are bright, they say I listen better, they say I remember better, they even say I look better.

This is not a manic. I am sleeping better than ever, getting great sleep in 7 hours waking up ready for each day. I thank God each day as I did before. God willing I will alway be able to drink my TNJ daily with continued health. Remember-I have been BP for many years, so maybe it was just time??

Stay close to your family and friends, ask them for help. They love you. Be sure to be honest with your doctors, and as I have read others comments. Hardly anyone understands BP unless they have it or know a close friend or family that does so best to research all ideas through your doctor first. A lot of shame at first is what I felt, but I think that is somewhat normal for BP suffers. It gets better. I will pray for you to accept your lot and make the best of it and healing to come your way- Remember, God did make doctors!! Loves and hugs, Kathy

I think that in certain peoples lives it does help to have faith but in others it just doesn't. I had a teacher who went to the same church I did for many many years and I could swear that he was a great man of faith but this past summer he lost his battle with Manic Depression and succeeded after many atempts at suicide. I have bipolar and I have had the whole scenerio happen to me. Axiety, Fear, Hallucinations, Seeing secret messages in numbers, having the feeling that I will just jump right out of my skin, etc. I just can't even imagine giving up the faith that God allowed me to have this for a great purpose. I believe we all have a purpose and that this is mine somehow. I was told by my psychiatrist that I enherited this from my father. That it has to do with addiction. My father was an alcoholic. I have had black outs from drinking so I quit because I suspect I could be an alcholholic too. Has anyone ever heard the same from there doctor?