Illness. Am I under Satan's power?

[WomanLovesTX]

I have a brain chemical imbalance and without the medication to stabilize my brain, the illness is very severe. I have learned a lot about life through this illness and others like me who have this brain disorder. Is that God's Will? This chemical imbalance is absolutely no different from the chemical imbalance of the malfunctioning kidney that causes diabetes. Does all sickness and disease mean Satan is intruding in my "healed by His stripes" and that ...what? What does that mean? Why do we Christians have to suffer decay just like everyone else? I think there is something very wrong with this doctrine that we are letting Satan have a say in our well-being if we are sick? I don't know how to understand this. Do you?

 

[sunshine_debbie]

Is this a mental illness of some type? Is this a physical illness? What exactly is the problem that you are having?

Debbie

 

[Ash_JFF]

We all live in a sinful world where sin affects every part of it including our bodies. My mother got polio when she was 3 which eventually killed her leg. She had it amputated when she was 24. She still lives in severe pain which makes her scream and cry every day even with medication. If she did not have medication I don't know how she could have lived with all that pain.

However, she is a Christian. She became a Christian when she was 22. Ultimately, she is thankful that God has allowed her to have the pain and inconvenience of having 1 leg. (Not saying she wants all that though.) She told me that she probably would not have become a Christian if not for the polio. God used something horrible to bring her to Himself. He continually uses the pain in her life as a tool to have her depend and grow in Him.

We all have pain in our lives, whether emotional or physical, of varying types. God can use that to help us grow in Him. Don't look at your disease as something that will bring you down. Use it as something that can help you to depend on Christ and help you to grow in your relationship with Him. You never know, God could use you to help others with this disease to come to Christ and grow in Him.

God loves you. He allowed you to have this disease for His purpose in your life. Thank God for the good and bad things in life knowing that God will use them to work out his purposes for His glory in your life.

 

[charisenexcelcis]

I have a brain chemical imbalance and without the medication to stabilize my brain, the illness is very severe. I have learned a lot about life through this illness and others like me who have this brain disorder. Is that God's Will? This chemical imbalance is absolutely no different from the chemical imbalance of the malfunctioning kidney that causes diabetes. Does all sickness and disease mean Satan is intruding in my "healed by His stripes" and that ...what? What does that mean? Why do we Christians have to suffer decay just like everyone else? I think there is something very wrong with this doctrine that we are letting Satan have a say in our well-being if we are sick? I don't know how to understand this. Do you?

No. While some sickness is spiritually induced, the great majority is not. Jesus came and suffered the life of a man. We continue in that ministry so that we can minister to the world. If we were suddenly to live in perfect health, happiness, and wealth, we would not be able to minister by those outside the faith. When we are changed we will not relate to the lost, not they to us. God may heal you and I pray that He does, but I would be a hypocrite to judge you when I myself am subject to physical "bumps in the road".
What is most important is how you deal with trouble in your life. Do not let the enemy or the flesh affect your spiritual health by bringing you condemnation or fear. If God chooses not to heal you, he has three purposes:
1. To use your affliction to strengthen you spiritually. God will sacrifice your comfort for your character, even if it is simply teaching you to rely on Him.
2. To glorify Himself and forward His kingdom through you and your affliction. Look for opportunity to glory Him and testify of His grace to you.
3. To give the body of Christ opportunity to minister. the body of Christ, unlike carnal organizations is built upon our weaknesses rather than our strengths. Those members who are most needful are the ones most vital. This is not a call to self pity and attention seeking, but to be honest of our needs to one another.

 

[WomanLovesTX]

It is physical. It is called mental because the brain is affected? The brain is not just thought. It is an organ, a heart is an organ, a pancreas is an organ lungs are organs, liver is an organ, kidney's are organs. We are intrinsically made. All parts of the body can develop tumors, but what about the organs that just fail to work as they should? Is the brain subject to suspicion when it is a proven fact that the chemicals are out of balance?

I know, in this present day, modern doctors call the following behavioral illness: anorexia, bulimia, alcoholics, drug addicts, ADHD, OCD, Post Traumatic Disorder, Acute Depression, post partum depression, Bi-Polar, Schizophrenia, etc. are all classified as behaviors. Again, we are all intrinsically made by our Creator.

Does illness of any kind mean you don't have faith in the "healed by His stripes" works of Christ? Satan is the author of confusion and this doctrine of health does not jive with reality. God said nothing is made that is made that He didn't create. There is this doctrine - "He didn't create sin, being disobedient to God's instructions, but He created free-will, thus all things decay, including the earth." Christ overcame the power of sin and the second death, (and all illnesses?) but why do Christians who believe Christ is God in the flesh, born of a virgin, willfully suffered being the perfect slain lamb, beaten, slaughtered and shamed unto His death, then buried and in three days conquered death and rose to live and ascend to heaven and sit at the right hand of God and send us the Holy Spirit and we accept the gift of salvation, that we could not earn, are told to feel "guilty" because their faith is weak because "we are healed by His stripes"? Is my faith "weak"? Does the heart attack say my faith is weak? Does the diabetic say my faith is weak? Does the paraplegic say my faith is weak? Does the blind or deaf say my faith is weak? Etc, Etc....Is Satan's power the power of decay?Why does Jesus bear His scars in His resurrected body? WHY? RE: ILLNESS. AM I UNDER SATAN'S POWER?

 

[Ash_JFF]

Jesus bears his scars as a reminder to us that He loves us and died for us. The scars bear witness to His Glory.

IF you are a Christian, you are not under Satan's power. If you are not a Christian, you are under Satan's power - that the only 2 conditions.

A guy once told my mother that she had no faith because she didn't believe God would grow her leg back after it was amputated. I feel sorry for the guy. He has it all wrong.

A person who is totally paralyzed can have more faith then a person who is totally healthy.

 

[Thaddaeus]

I have a brain chemical imbalance and without the medication to stabilize my brain, the illness is very severe. I have learned a lot about life through this illness and others like me who have this brain disorder. Is that God's Will? This chemical imbalance is absolutely no different from the chemical imbalance of the malfunctioning kidney that causes diabetes. Does all sickness and disease mean Satan is intruding in my "healed by His stripes" and that ...what? What does that mean? Why do we Christians have to suffer decay just like everyone else? I think there is something very wrong with this doctrine that we are letting Satan have a say in our well-being if we are sick? I don't know how to understand this. Do you?

We suffer decay just like everybody else because we live like everybody else, we live with our boyfriends or girlfriends out of wedlock, we condon sin in our own lives and everybody elses, it is not God being mean to his Children without reason but that He is a merciful God, For he has promised no matter what we bring upon ourselves down here through disobedient, and trepasses and sin , He has promised a Better place( which none deserve ) after we depart here. so if you have a mental problem, cancer, diabetes or what ever, you are still blessed and still a winner either way if you have trusted in the Lord . we must learn no mater what life deals us that.

2co 12:9And he said unto me, MY GRACE is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Right after 911 all the businesses around here put out on their signs GOD BLESS AMERICA, only one little business close to where I worked had the right sign it read WHY SHOULD GOD BLESS AMERICA?

this is the problem that I have with the faith healers of today, they preach healings and Miracles , which I do believe that God is still doing, but their is no repentence preached, like God is going to heal you so that you can go out and continue even greater sins, When Jesus healed he said go and sin no more, or take up thy bed, thy sins have been forgiven, you want to show God how serious you are about getting heal, sacrifice your evil ways, ( not judging here just trying to help) put them on the Altar of God and show Him how much it means to you to be healed.

2ch 7:14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 

[WomanLovesTX]

Jesus bears his scars as a reminder to us that He loves us and died for us. The scars bear witness to His Glory.

IF you are a Christian, you are not under Satan's power. If you are not a Christian, you are under Satan's power - that the only 2 conditions.

A guy once told my mother that she had no faith because she didn't believe God would grow her leg back after it was amputated. I feel sorry for the guy. He has it all wrong.

A person who is totally paralyzed can have more faith then a person who is totally healthy.

Thank you for sharing why Jesus bears his scars. "The scars bear witness to His Glory". That is humbling.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I have a brain chemical imbalance and without the medication to stabilize my brain, the illness is very severe. I have learned a lot about life through this illness and others like me who have this brain disorder. Is that God's Will? This chemical imbalance is absolutely no different from the chemical imbalance of the malfunctioning kidney that causes diabetes. Does all sickness and disease mean Satan is intruding in my "healed by His stripes" and that ...what? What does that mean? Why do we Christians have to suffer decay just like everyone else? I think there is something very wrong with this doctrine that we are letting Satan have a say in our well-being if we are sick? I don't know how to understand this. Do you?

Peace be to you
2 kings;
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.
And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Pray

Love a friend in God
This is the victorey,even our faith

 

[mcubed]

[FONT=&quot]Why do Christians die? Since it’s very clear from the Biblical text that death is a much greater curse than sickness. The greatest curse that man faces after the spiritual death (separation from God) brought about by sin is physical death. Physical death is the clearest demonstration that we humans have come under the curse of Adam. Sin affected us not only spiritually but also physically. Death is a curse, the punishment for sin: God said to Adam “the day you eat of the forbidden fruit, you will certainly die” (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23) and it was so. People die because of sin. Adam was created ‘mortal’ (he could die), not immortal (not able to die). His body was a body of dust and subject to decay and corruption (1 Cor. 15:53). Perfect obedience to God would have made this process completely avoidable (Gen. 3:22) but sin made this process totally certain (Gen. 3:17). Sin exposed our physical bodies to death and corruption. All peoples, including Christians have “corruptible” bodies made of 'dust' a corruptible material (1 Cor. 15:45-49) and therefore have propensity to suffer weakness and corruption especially after sin has infected our physical existence (Rom 7:14,23-24). Death in Christians does not mean they are still ‘cursed’ for all Christians have being liberated from the 'real' curse of sin, eternal condemnation (Romans 8:1). Death (and sickness) in Christians means that they still have a corruptible body, that’s all. In the cross Christ died to give us a new incorruptible body (1 Cor. 15:50). That has not yet happened. The Bible states that one day we will receive an incorruptible body. Aging is as much part of the curse as sickness is. Aging is produced by ‘entropy’ or decay. It is part of the process of dying (which is part of the fall). The day Adam fell into sin he not only died spiritually in that same instant, physical death began to do its work on him. The dying process began in his body; he started aging (dying slowly) and finally, 900 years later Adam succumbed under the “sickness of aging”. When we age our skin wrinkles, gray hair starts to show, our strength dwindles and finally time (age) takes its final toll on us and we die. Now, it's interesting that aging is not only a physical impairment but is also an emotionally painful process and the Bible says so very clearly. The biblical writer in Ecclesiastes 12 calls aging ‘the years of no contentment” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). The eyes shut down, the teeth fall, the legs cannot hold the weight of the body and the hands cannot grip. Even the strongest of all men, if he lives long enough will feel to a greater or lesser degree the pains of aging. If dying and ageing are part of the curse and it is not a lack of faith why would sickness be? The bible says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust another words life happens on life’s terms to both Saved and the unsaved. Does Yeshua heal today? Absolutely!!!! Have we been freed from the course? Absolutely!!!! Yeshua conquered all sin and death on the cross. The Kingdom of Heaven is the here and the now but it is also the not yet and we will be 100% completely, totally free from all of the curse when He returns and sets up His kingdom. [/FONT]

 

[wattie]

also worth mentioning.. a saved person can never be indwelled or possessed by Satan or any of his minions. A demon or satan cannot co-habitate with the Holy Spirit indwelling a saved person. The Holy Spirit has waaaaaaay more power than Satan or any demon.. the Holy Spirit is God!

 

[cookie39]

I have a brain chemical imbalance and without the medication to stabilize my brain, the illness is very severe. I have learned a lot about life through this illness and others like me who have this brain disorder. Is that God's Will? This chemical imbalance is absolutely no different from the chemical imbalance of the malfunctioning kidney that causes diabetes. Does all sickness and disease mean Satan is intruding in my "healed by His stripes" and that ...what? What does that mean? Why do we Christians have to suffer decay just like everyone else? I think there is something very wrong with this doctrine that we are letting Satan have a say in our well-being if we are sick? I don't know how to understand this. Do you?

Just want you to know that a malfuction kidney does not cause diabetes, and scientist say that everything they have no answer for is a chemical imbalance... if you want too much sex. they say it is a chemical imbalance, they say that eating to much, depression, people who can't control their anger is a chemical imbalance,, I watch discovery health almost every day and they do studies for everything there is no real answer for and they call it a chemical imbalance. every one in this world has fluids surrounding their brain and it do not not causes physical illness. cancer is in the body, high blood presure, disbetes, tumars, cickle cells, lupus all these and more affect the body unto death and physical pain. none of these and many more can be ignored because of the death it will cause...
the others is a basic change your mind about how you feel or act... except insanity which is tied directly to the devil... learn the bible; God will show you.. people who are depressed and always talk about; I believ if you do what God said to do, it will go away, I know I did it.. I needed no medicine; all I needed was Jesus... and he helped me see myself the way he sees me, but some people who say they are depressed are realy not, just looking for attention, if they was truly depressed they don't want to talk about it to no one.. all they do is cry almost all day.. or sleep.. or stay to them selves... but to talk about it every day, tring to convince people they are so depressed, is sick to me to play on other's emotions; the love and care and compassion they have to want to help that person.. I believe God will judge. depressed people feel no one can help, and that is why they want to die, everything is worthless and useless and there is no hope in their hearts neither can it enter their mind.. people are here looking to draw others into their deceptiveness that they can try to drain the drive of helping those who really are depressed. for what ever the reson to do something so evil to another; only God knows.. I can only geuss, which I choose not to,,, my help to someone who really is full with sorrow, is to advised them to read the Word of God and get to know the Lord just a little bit he will drive satan away from you and give you the strength and wisdom that is need to never let him back again...

 

[WomanLovesTX]

the others is a basic change your mind about how you feel or act... except insanity which is tied directly to the devil... learn the bible;...

What is the definition of insanity? Every time you have a thought of anger, malice, judging, back biting, gossiping, selfishness? Aren't these things that also require a basic change your mind about how you feel or act? The Bible says what on insanity being tied directly to the devil? There is the incident of the man who was possessed by demons and the demons and the man were hurting the physical body in a most horrible abuse. Jesus cast out the demons into pigs, which were the idols of the people of that region. So was this man "cured" of all of his minds feelings and actions? What brought the demons into him in the first place? Was it from birth and he did nothing to cause this? You know your Bible so you must have the answer to these questions.

 

[WomanLovesTX]

Just want you to know that a malfuction kidney does not cause diabetes, and scientist say that everything they have no answer for is a chemical imbalance... if you want too much sex. they say it is a chemical imbalance, they say that eating to much, depression, people who can't control their anger is a chemical imbalance,, I watch discovery health almost every day and they do studies for everything there is no real answer for and they call it a chemical imbalance. every one in this world has fluids surrounding their brain and it do not not causes physical illness. cancer is in the body, high blood presure, disbetes, tumars, cickle cells, lupus all these and more affect the body unto death and physical pain. none of these and many more can be ignored because of the death it will cause...
the others is a basic change your mind about how you feel or act... except insanity which is tied directly to the devil... learn the bible; God will show you.. people who are depressed and always talk about; I believ if you do what God said to do, it will go away, I know I did it.. I needed no medicine; all I needed was Jesus... and he helped me see myself the way he sees me, but some people who say they are depressed are realy not, just looking for attention, if they was truly depressed they don't want to talk about it to no one.. all they do is cry almost all day.. or sleep.. or stay to them selves... but to talk about it every day, tring to convince people they are so depressed, is sick to me to play on other's emotions; the love and care and compassion they have to want to help that person.. I believe God will judge. depressed people feel no one can help, and that is why they want to die, everything is worthless and useless and there is no hope in their hearts neither can it enter their mind.. people are here looking to draw others into their deceptiveness that they can try to drain the drive of helping those who really are depressed. for what ever the reson to do something so evil to another; only God knows.. I can only geuss, which I choose not to,,, my help to someone who really is full with sorrow, is to advised them to read the Word of God and get to know the Lord just a little bit he will drive satan away from you and give you the strength and wisdom that is need to never let him back again...

You are very harsh. I remember Jesus was angry when He entered the temple and they were selling the animals that were to be used for sacrifice. He threw their tables down and yelled at them. He was angry and righteously so. He was angry at their greed and exploiting worshipers. Jesus also had compassion for not only the sick, but those who had needs. So I guess you know that a Godly answer is to just make up your mind and it is made once and for all and you never are going to have trials and tribulations again? Just let Jesus give us wisdom and Satan will never be able to attack us again? That we can just shew Satan and the demons away, boot them away and because we have God/Christ as our saviour and Lord and then Satan will never be back again? REally? No more trials and tribulations? What an awesome god you have!


Job 1:6-8
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?


Mark 1:23-25
23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Exodus 9:12
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh

Proverbs 16:4
The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Isaiah 43:11
I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

Isaiah 45:7
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

[mcubed]

In the United States insanity is a legal term not a medical term. It’s unsoundness of mind or lack of the ability to understand that prevents one from having the mental capacity required by law to enter into a particular relationship, status, or transaction or that releases one from criminal or civil responsibility. However mental illness/disorders such as bipolar, psychosis, schizophrenia are very real medical conditions. My son is high-functioning autistic. People with autism have misfiring and miswiring of their brain. It would be “insane” (all pun intended) to say his autism is "tied directly to the devil"l. So why would anyone think chemical imbalance of the brain would be any different than autism. I would have to say that insanity (the true definition of it) could very well have demonic influence because not all people with mental disorders commit criminal acts- in fact most don’t.
We know that the man in Mark 5 did not know the Lord before Yeshua delivered him, the rest of the Scripture says:
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

 

[Graybeard]

I have a brain chemical imbalance and without the medication to stabilize my brain, the illness is very severe. I have learned a lot about life through this illness and others like me who have this brain disorder. Is that God's Will? This chemical imbalance is absolutely no different from the chemical imbalance of the malfunctioning kidney that causes diabetes. Does all sickness and disease mean Satan is intruding in my "healed by His stripes" and that ...what? What does that mean? Why do we Christians have to suffer decay just like everyone else? I think there is something very wrong with this doctrine that we are letting Satan have a say in our well-being if we are sick? I don't know how to understand this. Do you?

This is a mystery as some people receive healing and others don't, some say it is because of a lack of faith, some say it is because of ones sinful lifestyle. I believe both can be part of the problem, however, take Paul for an example, he was the teacher of faith, he walked, talked and was taught by Jesus Himself yet he suffered with some sought of ailment what he described as "a thorn in the flesh"

 

[WomanLovesTX]

This is a mystery as some people receive healing and others don't, some say it is because of a lack of faith, some say it is because of ones sinful lifestyle. I believe both can be part of the problem, however, take Paul for an example, he was the teacher of faith, he walked, talked and was taught by Jesus Himself yet he suffered with some sought of ailment what he described as "a thorn in the flesh"

I think I know what you mean. My mother had a bizarre illness (documented 109 degree fever with no explanation what caused it) that should have killed her. The doctor consulted with colleagues and said people with 106 survived but with severe brain and other organ damage. All of her major organs were shutting down. Mom had peace and her family also have great faith. We carried on prayer vigils at the hospital for 3 days. My sister was called home from Germany where she was serving in the army. I sat by my mother in ICU and she mumbled in her delirium numbers. That was her work, bookkeeping and income taxes and reading all kinds of books, and the Bible. She taught Sunday School for years. Anyway, on the 3rd day all of her organs returned to normal, she got up and said I want to go home now. The doctors admitted it was a real God given miraculous healing. There was no other explanation. So yes, I believe in miracles and God is still giving them. And by the way, mother later had a stroke and healed 99% from that. She later died of old age (83), diabetes, and all the ailments that come with diabetes. Was she a happy person? No, it was really sad, she was never a happy person. She had a miserable personality. But I love her and always will. I miss not sending her flowers for my birthday this year.

 

[pickles]

Although some illness may be a result of sin, or losing Gods protection.
I also believe that some of our illness is to glorify God through miricals, or simply because the sufferers faith despite their illness gives Glory to God.
There is also those that because of their illness recieve gifts of faith because of the illness.
Some are simply victims of anothers sin.
The one thing I have come to know with certainty is all circomstances when Given to God Our Father glorify him and bless those that give to him
I have suffered pain and other health issues for over twenty years now. I have seen some things healed, but the greater gift I have recieved is a faith and closeness to God Our Father that is a direct result of his compassion.
His Spirit has streanthened mine so much that more than ever , my spirit is stronger than the body.
All things given to God are to his glory!
God bless, pickles

 

[loveschild]

Sickness is from the evil one. God wants us all to have devine health. Because of Adam and Eve the curse was let loose.
But God told us to rule over the evil one. The blood of Jesus and him saying we can use his name to bring power from God. We are healed.
If something is wrong in our bodies we keep saying we are healed in Jesus name. Or by his stripes we are healed like you said. God can do instant miracles of healing.
But sometimes the healings come from you not giving up. Believing in what you don't see as if it were so. Keep saying I am healed in Jesus name.
Pray the blood of Jesus from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes.
The pwer of God is alive and well gut we have to call it to earth. They Kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven.
We call the power of God to earth in Jesus name.
We all get weak sometimes. We are humans. And thats OK. When you have a time of feeling like giving up. Don't condemn your self. Know that God knows how hard it is for you. Just say Lord forgive me for being weak and not trusting you. And to give you strength to keep going on.
Satan is attacking people with sickness. Thats what he does. He is here to kill, kill and destroy us.
God told us to lay hands and heal. He told us to cast out demons. Tell satan to get out of you. In Jesus name. And mean it.
By the name of Jesus you have power over any demon from hell.
You are to put satan under your feet.
People are waiting for Jesus to do everything and Jesus is waiting for the people to do as he said. He said for us to heal and for us to cast out demons.
When you keep saying I am healed or by his stripes I am healed believe with with all your heart, soul and mind that Gods super power can heal you.

 

[sunshine_debbie]

It is physical. It is called mental because the brain is affected? The brain is not just thought. It is an organ, a heart is an organ, a pancreas is an organ lungs are organs, liver is an organ, kidney's are organs. We are intrinsically made. All parts of the body can develop tumors, but what about the organs that just fail to work as they should? Is the brain subject to suspicion when it is a proven fact that the chemicals are out of balance?

I know, in this present day, modern doctors call the following behavioral illness: anorexia, bulimia, alcoholics, drug addicts, ADHD, OCD, Post Traumatic Disorder, Acute Depression, post partum depression, Bi-Polar, Schizophrenia, etc. are all classified as behaviors. Again, we are all intrinsically made by our Creator.

Does illness of any kind mean you don't have faith in the "healed by His stripes" works of Christ? Satan is the author of confusion and this doctrine of health does not jive with reality. God said nothing is made that is made that He didn't create. There is this doctrine - "He didn't create sin, being disobedient to God's instructions, but He created free-will, thus all things decay, including the earth." Christ overcame the power of sin and the second death, (and all illnesses?) but why do Christians who believe Christ is God in the flesh, born of a virgin, willfully suffered being the perfect slain lamb, beaten, slaughtered and shamed unto His death, then buried and in three days conquered death and rose to live and ascend to heaven and sit at the right hand of God and send us the Holy Spirit and we accept the gift of salvation, that we could not earn, are told to feel "guilty" because their faith is weak because "we are healed by His stripes"? Is my faith "weak"? Does the heart attack say my faith is weak? Does the diabetic say my faith is weak? Does the paraplegic say my faith is weak? Does the blind or deaf say my faith is weak? Etc, Etc....Is Satan's power the power of decay?Why does Jesus bear His scars in His resurrected body? WHY? RE: ILLNESS. AM I UNDER SATAN'S POWER?

I was not trying to imply that because it was a mental illness or an illness of the brain that it was not physical or real. I suffer from SEVERE anxiety and SEVERE depression. The chemical imbalance in my brain at this point is so scary that I am afraid to even think about it or talk about it. I was just trying to get a handle on what exactly was wrong. I do not think that because you are ill, no matter where that illness happens to be located, means you are under Satan's power. I think you would be suprised at just how much faith you really have.

Debbie