Should Christians Take Medication for Mental Illness?
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People need to realize that alot of the healing the Gods gives us is spiritual healing (Matthew 9:12). That doesn't mean we still will not suffer from physical ailments including mental illness. One can be mentally ill and still a child of God.
Paul said he had a "thorn in his side to keep him humble". It is believed that his "thorn" was a type of ailment/disability.
God also does not condemn the use of medication. Luke was a physician, and obviously a man of God. To refuse medication of any type when one may be in need of it can be dangerous. To me that is like saying "I won't do anything because God will take care of it." God no like lazy.
Paul said he had a "thorn in his side to keep him humble". It is believed that his "thorn" was a type of ailment/disability.
God also does not condemn the use of medication. Luke was a physician, and obviously a man of God. To refuse medication of any type when one may be in need of it can be dangerous. To me that is like saying "I won't do anything because God will take care of it." God no like lazy.
I'm going to have to disagree with you on this..
Yes a lot of his healing in his word is spiritual but God does heal all.
I'm living proof you don't need a doctor or medicine. I was born with osteogenesis imperfecta.
I was told countless times I'd never walk or live to see age 20.
For years I would go once a month for a week at a time to a hospital to get medicine for my bones. It only made me sicker. I became weaker and it brought me to the point were the doctor's said I might die before age 16. They had me on so many different medicines.
Every year I went through about 15 different kinds but nothing helped. It just made me worse. Right before I gave my life to God and stopped all medicine (even the ones that were "saving my life/keeping me alive") I was so bad that I couldn't move 90% of the time. I was just laying in bed waiting to die. But now it's been 4 years with no doctor or medicine and I'm healthy! Yup I'm walking and still alive and I'm almost 20 years old. I've made it to the age were I was told id die but it's no thanks to doctors only God and God alone healed me. Doctors aren't healers of anything. Yes maybe some people need them but I believe those who trust God don't need them. Yeah we should take care of ourselves by eating right/working out. But just because someone trust God to heal them doesn't make them lazy. Sorry but that's just how I feel.
I never said people who trust in God Are lazy. Please do not twist my words. When one refuses to do anything to help themselves and expects God to do it all is lazy. I'm guessing you didn't just sit at home the entire time and do nothing all time did you? I'm sure you did fight some and I'm glad you did bc you are still with us!
A couple in PA is in prison now for refusing to have their baby treated and relied on prayer only. The child died. When it's obvious someone needs medical help then one should have it.
Sickness is the result of sin. Though we may be children of god that doesn't make us exempt from illness. It's obvious God helped you, but since you say God heals all then why are some Christians still suffering from ailments? The fact is we all are going to die. Our flesh will get older, die and decay. Our earthly body is temporary. while God does heal some physically he doesn't heal all. It's our spiritual health he is most concerned with.
A couple in PA is in prison now for refusing to have their baby treated and relied on prayer only. The child died. When it's obvious someone needs medical help then one should have it.
Sickness is the result of sin. Though we may be children of god that doesn't make us exempt from illness. It's obvious God helped you, but since you say God heals all then why are some Christians still suffering from ailments? The fact is we all are going to die. Our flesh will get older, die and decay. Our earthly body is temporary. while God does heal some physically he doesn't heal all. It's our spiritual health he is most concerned with.
I wasn't trying to twist your words. And I'm very sorry I see how what I said seemed like I was.
I understand what you mean.
There is a woman in my church who is goin through the same thing all because she wanted to trust God.
Her son died after being sick for a week with what just seemed like the flu. She had the church praying for
him every day. Now she has to do time because she kept her faith in God.
But here's the thing.. after they looked at his body. They said it wouldn't have matter if he had been taken to a doctor or not. He would have died just the same.
Yeah I don't trust doctors. I trust God and Prayer.
But I'm not saying everyone should as well.
I do believe if you are goin to run to a doctor everytime something is wrong than you should at least pray before you do.
Not many people even pray like that anymore. They pray when they get bad news but once they are healed who do they thank? Sadly most of the time it's not God.
I'm not saying all people do this. But a lot of them do.
I understand what you mean.
There is a woman in my church who is goin through the same thing all because she wanted to trust God.
Her son died after being sick for a week with what just seemed like the flu. She had the church praying for
him every day. Now she has to do time because she kept her faith in God.
But here's the thing.. after they looked at his body. They said it wouldn't have matter if he had been taken to a doctor or not. He would have died just the same.
Yeah I don't trust doctors. I trust God and Prayer.
But I'm not saying everyone should as well.
I do believe if you are goin to run to a doctor everytime something is wrong than you should at least pray before you do.
Not many people even pray like that anymore. They pray when they get bad news but once they are healed who do they thank? Sadly most of the time it's not God.
I'm not saying all people do this. But a lot of them do.
From your comments you're basically saying that a Christian who goes to see a doctor isn't trusting God!
No matter whether you like it or not, the VAST majority of Christians who have suffered severe illness are alive NOW because of doctors!
You're 19 and a Christian a few years, I suggest you learn a bit of wisdom and think about what you write and how it could affect others!
No matter whether you like it or not, the VAST majority of Christians who have suffered severe illness are alive NOW because of doctors!
You're 19 and a Christian a few years, I suggest you learn a bit of wisdom and think about what you write and how it could affect others!
I never said people who go to doctors don't trust God!
Like I said everyone is different. I was just saying my own opinion on the matter.
I don't trust doctors. But I never said everyone else should feel the same way.
Maybe you should re read my comments rather than trying to make me look like I said something wrong.
What I said was about ME no one else. I respect your opinion and what you have to say. But I'm not going to sit and fight with you about this.
I said my own opinion. Nothing more. Sorry if you didn't like what I had to say.
Yes, everyone is different. Some medication can be necessary, but we should not rely totally on what the doctor says.
I was told how wonderful modern antidepressants are and how much less side effects they have. I had taken a 1950s model antidepressant about 10 years before. The modern one, an SSRI, made me feel so bad I longed for the bliss of my depression back. Then the doctor said, "Oh, but there is a better one with less side effects." This was an SNRI and was worse. It messed up my metabolism so that I went from slim to obese in 3 months without changing my diet. It took 4 years before I felt free from those side effects, including my obesity, and every doctor I saw in that time was surprised. "It shouldn't take so long to get over a side effect," was their mantra.
Then I was referred to a doctor who uses medicine creatively off label. He put me on to a medicine that works opposite to the standard antidepressants, and that worked wonders for me.
I have ADHD and stimulants do not work for me. I prefer being ADHD and coping with God's help rather than being a zombie, which is what I felt like on stimulants.
So medicine can help. As I have said before medication does not cure, they reduce the symptoms. Different conditions need different treatments. Also different severity needs different treatments.
I was told how wonderful modern antidepressants are and how much less side effects they have. I had taken a 1950s model antidepressant about 10 years before. The modern one, an SSRI, made me feel so bad I longed for the bliss of my depression back. Then the doctor said, "Oh, but there is a better one with less side effects." This was an SNRI and was worse. It messed up my metabolism so that I went from slim to obese in 3 months without changing my diet. It took 4 years before I felt free from those side effects, including my obesity, and every doctor I saw in that time was surprised. "It shouldn't take so long to get over a side effect," was their mantra.
Then I was referred to a doctor who uses medicine creatively off label. He put me on to a medicine that works opposite to the standard antidepressants, and that worked wonders for me.
I have ADHD and stimulants do not work for me. I prefer being ADHD and coping with God's help rather than being a zombie, which is what I felt like on stimulants.
So medicine can help. As I have said before medication does not cure, they reduce the symptoms. Different conditions need different treatments. Also different severity needs different treatments.
To clarify. There are good doctors and there are bad doctors. Doctors are our guides, but we need to know enough to be able to discuss our problem with the doctor. If the doctor is unwilling to openly discuss our condition, we should find a better doctor.
Just because someone has a licence to practice medicine does not mean that person will use his or her common sense.
I have "suffered under the physicians."
Just because someone has a licence to practice medicine does not mean that person will use his or her common sense.
I have "suffered under the physicians."
You're only reading and seeing what you want.
I have said in my other comments that I do believe some people need medicine and doctors.
So my comments are thoughtless? Says the 38 year old being so rude to a 19 year old.
ITS JUST MY OPINION. If you don't understand where I'm coming from that's fine.
But I'm not keeping this up. Its rude, disrespectful and there is no need for it.
To anyone else, if what I said bothered you in any way I apologize.
These threads are open for opinions and all I did was state mine.
If I upset you once again my true apologies.
I have said in my other comments that I do believe some people need medicine and doctors.
So my comments are thoughtless? Says the 38 year old being so rude to a 19 year old.
ITS JUST MY OPINION. If you don't understand where I'm coming from that's fine.
But I'm not keeping this up. Its rude, disrespectful and there is no need for it.
To anyone else, if what I said bothered you in any way I apologize.
These threads are open for opinions and all I did was state mine.
If I upset you once again my true apologies.
Hi Presley: Actually, reading the posts, above, you have been polite to others while expressing your views and telling of your experiences, so I would not worry. You've even said sorry, which probably wasn't even necessary, so I hope you'll continue to post your views because you have the habit of expressing yourself in a respectful way. So I would not be concerned, if I were you. Sounds as if the leg design that you're planning is not only for a witness but also it's almost a thankful celebration of your return to health after a long period of illness. So you have a lot to be thankful for and no need to worry. My 2c...
Blessings.
Blessings.
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Thank you 
And I'll always express my views. Its just the kinda person I am.
Opinion aren't facts. They aren't telling someone what to do or not do.
They are just what a person thinks or feels about something. And boy do I have a lot of them! Lol
As for saying sorry, I believe anytime you say or do something that upsets anyone you need to apologize.
Well only if you truly mean it that is. I don't like upsetting people so when I do I apologize.
I truly appreciate you taken the time to write this to me.
God Bless!!!
And I'll always express my views. Its just the kinda person I am.
Opinion aren't facts. They aren't telling someone what to do or not do.
They are just what a person thinks or feels about something. And boy do I have a lot of them! Lol
As for saying sorry, I believe anytime you say or do something that upsets anyone you need to apologize.
Well only if you truly mean it that is. I don't like upsetting people so when I do I apologize.
I truly appreciate you taken the time to write this to me.
God Bless!!!
E
Medication does seem to work for some. Unfortunately my son was not properly diagnosed and the so called "professionals" only created more of a problem. They said he was schizophrenic but those meds only suppressed the demons who now have more of a stronghold. It's a very bad situation. Does anyone know of a Christian Psychiatrist in the U.S.?
I'm sorry to hear that your son has to live with that.
Its not an easy thing to live with. My grandpa had it, my mother has it and I myself have been to that I need to be tested for it.
It took doctors about 4 years to find medicine that would help my mother with it.
Have you tried asking them to find some other kinda medicine?
I'm not sure if they told you but.. the doctors always told my mom that the medicine mostly won't get rid of it. Just helps you cope better.
My friend from church also lives with it. He sees a coping doctor once a week. Though the doc isn't a Christian he cares enough about my friend to read the bible and use it to help him.
I'll be praying for your son.
Its not an easy thing to live with. My grandpa had it, my mother has it and I myself have been to that I need to be tested for it.
It took doctors about 4 years to find medicine that would help my mother with it.
Have you tried asking them to find some other kinda medicine?
I'm not sure if they told you but.. the doctors always told my mom that the medicine mostly won't get rid of it. Just helps you cope better.
My friend from church also lives with it. He sees a coping doctor once a week. Though the doc isn't a Christian he cares enough about my friend to read the bible and use it to help him.
I'll be praying for your son.