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ENKELISenior Contributor
@tyme and anyone else who would like to join in on a discussion about faith and how it may affect/hinder/help us on our journey living with mental illness.
@Birdofparadise8 I tagged you but don't feel obliged to join in x
I used to struggle with my Christian beliefs when I was first diagnosed with clinical depression, and then again when I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder and severe
anxiety.
Does anyone else have these problems?
In response to: Faith & Mental Health
tymeModerator
Hello everyone @Shaz51 @ENKELI @Appleblossom @avant-garde @Dimity '
@ENKELI , are you okay? I'm mindful things have been so rough for you lately. Please know we are all here to support you.
And everyone else here too.
In response to: Re: Faith & Mental Health
ENKELISenior Contributor
@tyme God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.
I'm reading Jesus Calling each day, doing Bible study.
Stepmonster is in hospital and her specialist said she won't be coming home. Apparently she's being IV fed and is just skin and bone. I detest the woman but am praying she goes quickly and doesn't suffer.
Dad said he has nothing to live for now which peeved me considering I was the one who has been there when he complained frequently about her. Way to go dad, you've been rejecting me since I was 5, why should I expect anything different from you now.
I am well but keeping my interactions with the forum light because I am unable to expend the energy required at the moment.
I have my prayer list of Sane members like Miss Clara in War Room had. If you haven't seen the movie, I recommend you do. Synopsis can be found here - https://www.kendrickbrotherscatalogue.com/warroom/
Love Kendrick movies
God bless, hope y'all are well xo
In response to: Re: Faith & Mental Health
tymeModerator
Awww, you're so sweet. @ENKELI . I hear how frustrating things are for you in regards to what your dad said. It must be so hard to have to see that.
Do you have siblings?
It is good to see you are able to keep your faith even though things seem so hard.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I totally respect that you may want to keep your presence on the forums light. No need to respond if you don't feel up to it. Totally up to you and we support that.
Please take care and look after yourself. At my church, they have been having a whole week of youth gatherings. They have these youth conventions a few times each year.
In response to: Re: Faith & Mental Health
avant-gardeSenior Contributor
We have a new temporary minister at church for 3 months.
He has the compulsive urge to touch people
I told him "I don't do well with being touched"
He respected that
He wanted to know my previous name
He mentioned something that rang my theology bells
When he prays his voice begins to sound like Gollum from Lord of the rings
I don't like him
He doesn't seem trauma informed at all
12 weeks right? 12 weeks.
I'll talk to my elder about his lack of trauma awareness.
In response to: Re: Faith & Mental Health
ENKELISenior Contributor
This is probably going to be an very unpopular view but maybe it's not the minister.
Satan will try anything to prevent people attending worship. If it were me I would be praying about it with some trusted Christian friends before making a report to one of the elders.
Just something that came to me as I prayed over this post.
In response to: Re: Faith & Mental Health
avant-gardeSenior Contributor
@ENKELI
I think there might be misunderstanding as to my relationship with my elder.
My elder is my friend. He and his wife are both very aware of my history and has previously helped me work through things to do with my trauma to help me overcome them, always taking me back to scripture.
Please know that when it comes to matters of the holy spirit, spiritual gifts and church leadership, I have an incredibly conservative and firm point of view.
I'm sorry but I don't know how else to say this... I understand that things come to you as you pray but I find it difficult when these things are actually incorrect.
Your view isn't unpopular, it's correct.
The concept that I would report him to my elder is unjustified.
My elder is my friend first, it's why he chose me when my last one stepped down.
The entire church leadership know I have experienced abuse in the church.
They help me work through things as they come up.
There is no reporting.
There are no negative repercussions.
There is only a path to help me through this.
We have a plan
That's all it is.
Not what I came in here to post about, but I feel like what I wanted to say wouldn't get a welcome response now, given that they're similar topics to what I just ranted about.
In response to: Re: Faith & Mental Health
ENKELISenior Contributor
@avant-garde
You said - "I'm sorry but I don't know how else to say this... I understand that things come to you as you pray but I find it difficult when these things are actually incorrect."
What is it that is incorrect? From the way you said it, you're saying that what comes to me as I pray is incorrect. I am hoping however that is not what you meant.
Could you please clarify? Thanks 😊
In response to: Re: Faith & Mental Health
avant-gardeSenior Contributor
@ENKELI
"This is probably going to be an very unpopular view but maybe it's not the minister." - Correct
"Satan will try anything to prevent people attending worship." - correct
"If it were me I would be praying about it with some trusted Christian friends before making a report to one of the elders."
The assumption made here is incorrect
In response to: Re: Faith & Mental Health
ENKELISenior Contributor
@avant-garde I made no assumptions I simply stated what I would do. Anyway it doesn't matter. I pray that it sorts out for your benefit xo
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
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