Christianity and Mental Illness.
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I am by no means a 5-star shining example of a perfect mental state!!! I've struggled with anxiety and depression all my life as well.
For this thread, the general idea was unwell people who don't realize/refuse to acknowledge that they are unwell, and make other people's lives hell in the process while believing they are sincerely "soldiers for Christ."
Via Ugly's post, I also did not mean to make any correlation between being single and being mentally ill!!! But I also wonder if for some people, a lifetime or long periods of singleness does exacerbate the issues because there is no one there to help keep them in check.
For instance, I had two single friends I was concerned about because they devoted their entire lives to Bible study and prayer, but one started fasting for 30 days at a time (as in, he sincerely believed God was telling him not to eat at all) and another would get up an hour early in the morning to ask God what she should wear that day.
All topics within the realm of mental health are welcome in this thread, but the original point was focused on those are way beyond the point of balance and make other people suffer because of it... all in "the name of the Lord."
For this thread, the general idea was unwell people who don't realize/refuse to acknowledge that they are unwell, and make other people's lives hell in the process while believing they are sincerely "soldiers for Christ."
Via Ugly's post, I also did not mean to make any correlation between being single and being mentally ill!!! But I also wonder if for some people, a lifetime or long periods of singleness does exacerbate the issues because there is no one there to help keep them in check.
For instance, I had two single friends I was concerned about because they devoted their entire lives to Bible study and prayer, but one started fasting for 30 days at a time (as in, he sincerely believed God was telling him not to eat at all) and another would get up an hour early in the morning to ask God what she should wear that day.
All topics within the realm of mental health are welcome in this thread, but the original point was focused on those are way beyond the point of balance and make other people suffer because of it... all in "the name of the Lord."
S
AgeofKnowledge, you must wear track shoes to be so quick to jump to conclusions.
Allow me to recommend that rather than speaking of 'observations' or 'your knowledge base' on this and other topics, that you instead speak Personally about what You know from Your experience. It will not only give you a much higher degree of credibility, but also will aid in avoiding unintentional condescending attitudes. I can hear a tinge of well-meaning in your words from time to time or I would perhaps speak the truth with less love.
In case you've been holding out for my permission to do so, I want you to know that no permission is needed for you to keep your misguided accusations and arm chair diagnosis to yourself on this or other threads. My tale is that of a Christian man married to someone who developed serious mental illness and tried to honor his marriage vows in spite of things.
Allow me to recommend that rather than speaking of 'observations' or 'your knowledge base' on this and other topics, that you instead speak Personally about what You know from Your experience. It will not only give you a much higher degree of credibility, but also will aid in avoiding unintentional condescending attitudes. I can hear a tinge of well-meaning in your words from time to time or I would perhaps speak the truth with less love.
In case you've been holding out for my permission to do so, I want you to know that no permission is needed for you to keep your misguided accusations and arm chair diagnosis to yourself on this or other threads. My tale is that of a Christian man married to someone who developed serious mental illness and tried to honor his marriage vows in spite of things.
A
I didn't jump to conclusions. I made a simple statement that most of the Christians I have encountered that struggle with a mental illness struggled with anxiety and/or depression and that it is nothing to be ashamed of.
You then responded with this tripe (e.g. something poor, worthless, or offensive). If you have a problem with me, put me on ignore. But don't try to pretend like anything you've said here is real because it's not. If you have a problem, try the mirror and adjust as necessary.
You then responded with this tripe (e.g. something poor, worthless, or offensive). If you have a problem with me, put me on ignore. But don't try to pretend like anything you've said here is real because it's not. If you have a problem, try the mirror and adjust as necessary.
Do you at least see the hows and whys your words were taken the way they were? Or would you rather not admit your chosen words weren't the best? I understand your original statement, but I also understand Seatbelt's. I said for you to follow your own advice because you condemned someone for doing something you do yourself. And honestly, you ripped harder than Seatbelt did. Not everything that enters the mind should be spoken or written down.
A
I made a simple statement that most of the Christians I have encountered that struggle with a mental illness struggled with anxiety and/or depression and that it is nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing wrong with sharing one's life experience.
If someone chose to take it wrong, in a way that I never meant it, I am not responsible for them doing that. I am also not responsible for them reacting in a negative way toward me due to their false assumptions.
Now your assertion that I condemned the person is false. I did not. What I did was point out that their response to my legitimate share was tripe, which it was. Since my original statement was not, your judgement that I "condemned someone for doing something you do yourself" is completely false.
You may want to consider a good introduction to logic 101 course as it will help you learn to process statements logically, with clarity, to arrive at correct conclusions. An obvious benefit will be that it will help you to cease your own false condemning behavior.
I suppose it can be stated that I'm not a mind reader, I don't have a crystal ball, and I don't consult mediums to try and discern what other people are thinking. But as an educated person, I know to ask a question if I have one rather than making false assumptions and then acting on them as both of you have done here today.
If someone chose to take it wrong, in a way that I never meant it, I am not responsible for them doing that. I am also not responsible for them reacting in a negative way toward me due to their false assumptions.
Now your assertion that I condemned the person is false. I did not. What I did was point out that their response to my legitimate share was tripe, which it was. Since my original statement was not, your judgement that I "condemned someone for doing something you do yourself" is completely false.
You may want to consider a good introduction to logic 101 course as it will help you learn to process statements logically, with clarity, to arrive at correct conclusions. An obvious benefit will be that it will help you to cease your own false condemning behavior.
I suppose it can be stated that I'm not a mind reader, I don't have a crystal ball, and I don't consult mediums to try and discern what other people are thinking. But as an educated person, I know to ask a question if I have one rather than making false assumptions and then acting on them as both of you have done here today.
Age, you speak of using logic, however, it seems to have escaped you today. Can you truly not see why Seatbelt took your statement the way he did? Whether he was wrong or right in doing so is now beside the point. You used his quote (in full) and made your statement. Your words would have stood on their own, so why tie it to another? By linking Seatbelt's words with yours, the connection was made that you were making an assumption about him. If you cannot see that, then you are not as educated as you think you are. You may have book smarts. You may be able to quote me the "greats" of philosophy, but you seem to be quite dull in the realm of how your words (or actions) affect people. You are most likely thinking that I'm just some stupid girl who is illogical and obviously not as well educated or intelligent as you are. And you know what? Maybe I'm not. Maybe I'm dumb and maybe I just don't understand life and limb quite like you do, but at least I am willing to admit that I'm wrong. And I'm willing to apologize, and I'm willing to humble myself. You are not responsible for how people take your words, however, you will have to stand before our Father and answer for them.
N
Mr. Age, the problem is not exactly what you said, but that you linked what you said to SeatBelt's comment. You made it personal. It may not have been your intention, but that is what was perceived. The impression is that you linked anxiety, depression, and shame to SeatBelt's post. You may have had good intentions, but it was not taken as such. It was, indeed, poorly worded.
Misunderstandings happen, and in fact are quite common without the benefit of non-verbal communication. However, the interesting thing to me here is that you didn't simply defuse the situation, but instead, decided to dig deeper. One simple post could have straightened out the misunderstanding.
You are correct that you, on some level, are not responsible for anyone's reactions or responses to what you say.
However, you do not get to choose whether a person's reaction or response to what you have said is right, wrong, or "tripe". By labeling SeatBelt's reaction as "tripe", you have indeed made and acted upon your own judgment based on what SeatBelt said as a assumption about your post...which is what started this all off in the first place.
You went further still by doing the exact same thing based on what Duchess said. You acted off of assumptions. An educated person should have known better than to continue to dig one's own grave expecting to actually get back to the surface...or perhaps I should recommend a good Logic 101 course refresher?
Misunderstandings happen, and in fact are quite common without the benefit of non-verbal communication. However, the interesting thing to me here is that you didn't simply defuse the situation, but instead, decided to dig deeper. One simple post could have straightened out the misunderstanding.
You are correct that you, on some level, are not responsible for anyone's reactions or responses to what you say.
However, you do not get to choose whether a person's reaction or response to what you have said is right, wrong, or "tripe". By labeling SeatBelt's reaction as "tripe", you have indeed made and acted upon your own judgment based on what SeatBelt said as a assumption about your post...which is what started this all off in the first place.
You went further still by doing the exact same thing based on what Duchess said. You acted off of assumptions. An educated person should have known better than to continue to dig one's own grave expecting to actually get back to the surface...or perhaps I should recommend a good Logic 101 course refresher?
S
With apologies to all, I may have misapplied Proverbs 9:7-9.
Perhaps 10:17 applies, or 12:15&16. I do wish this were less 15:12 and more 15:32b
Sincerely, I apologize for my part in all of this and for any aspect of my actions that have not kept Proverbs 17:14 at the forefront.
Perhaps 10:17 applies, or 12:15&16. I do wish this were less 15:12 and more 15:32b
Sincerely, I apologize for my part in all of this and for any aspect of my actions that have not kept Proverbs 17:14 at the forefront.
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