The Stigma of Mental Illness
Fresh out of seminary over 30 year ago, I remember being so depressed that I was unable to candidate at a church in Florida. After a stay in a psychiatric hospital, I had gotten better and tried to reapply. The head deacon said to me, in a smooth southern drawl, "Steve, do you have a case of the nerves?" They did not want me back.
Certainly, mental illness has to do with the central nervous system. But the term nervous breakdown represents a pejorative perspective on mental illness. Mental illness is biological in its origin. Christians cannot claim to have immunity from it.
Let’s Pray For Our Poor, Mentally Ill Member
Evidences of the stigma of mental illness in churches persist. For instance, when is the last time in a church prayer meeting that you heard a prayer request for someone who is in a psychiatric hospital? If people in your church or your town would really be honest, they would be amazed how many people are being treated biologically for a mental illness.
However, most church goers will not mention mental illness, their silence for themselves or their loved ones in the church speaks loudly to us. Instead, there are whispers in the foyer about someone not being able to handle stress, having a case of the nerves or some other inane comment.
Heaven Knows No Stigma
Thankfully, there is no stigma in Heaven about our subject. Millions of perfected saints in glory are praising God that the Lord Jesus Christ through His shed blood and resurrection has delivered them from the horrible pain of mental illness, which to many was feared more than death itself. Matt. 5:3 tells us, Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall see the kingdom of God.
A pastor friend of mine contacted me about a godly man in his congregation who had severe mental illness. The tried Christian died suddenly, in the middle of reading his Bible one morning and went to be with the Lord. My friend, the pastor said, “Now his torment is over forever.”
Let us be brave and face the horrible suffering of mental illness head on. By doing this we will bring glory and honor to God.
Romans 12:16, Be of the same mind toward one another ; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Many books today by Christian leaders still blame the person who has
the disease of depression. We do not create a "culture of blame."
You can still get one of the best Christian books that has been written about depression. It is a story, and a look at Christianity, the Bible and mental illness.
It is available in Kindle and paperback.
https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187
Steve and Robyn would like to invite you to a special support group! This is for people who suffer from depression, bipolar, panic disorder, OCD, etc., or for those supporting loved ones and friends who have these conditions.
CAMI Support Groups
We meet every Thursday evening at
Boca Glades Baptist Church
10101 Judge Winikoff Road
Boca Raton, FL 3342
It goes from 7:00 – 8:15 pm in the Education building. Look for the signs!
If you have any questions or need any
other information call Steve or Robyn Bloem
at Heartfelt Counseling Ministries 561.909.9109.
We look forward to seeing you!
Come as you are!
Fresh out of seminary over 30 year ago, I remember being so depressed that I was unable to candidate at a church in Florida. After a stay in a psychiatric hospital, I had gotten better and tried to reapply. The head deacon said to me, in a smooth southern drawl, "Steve, do you have a case of the nerves?" They did not want me back.
Certainly, mental illness has to do with the central nervous system. But the term nervous breakdown represents a pejorative perspective on mental illness. Mental illness is biological in its origin. Christians cannot claim to have immunity from it.
Let’s Pray For Our Poor, Mentally Ill Member
Evidences of the stigma of mental illness in churches persist. For instance, when is the last time in a church prayer meeting that you heard a prayer request for someone who is in a psychiatric hospital? If people in your church or your town would really be honest, they would be amazed how many people are being treated biologically for a mental illness.
However, most church goers will not mention mental illness, their silence for themselves or their loved ones in the church speaks loudly to us. Instead, there are whispers in the foyer about someone not being able to handle stress, having a case of the nerves or some other inane comment.
Heaven Knows No Stigma
Thankfully, there is no stigma in Heaven about our subject. Millions of perfected saints in glory are praising God that the Lord Jesus Christ through His shed blood and resurrection has delivered them from the horrible pain of mental illness, which to many was feared more than death itself. Matt. 5:3 tells us, Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall see the kingdom of God.
A pastor friend of mine contacted me about a godly man in his congregation who had severe mental illness. The tried Christian died suddenly, in the middle of reading his Bible one morning and went to be with the Lord. My friend, the pastor said, “Now his torment is over forever.”
Let us be brave and face the horrible suffering of mental illness head on. By doing this we will bring glory and honor to God.
Romans 12:16, Be of the same mind toward one another ; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
You can still get one of the best Christian books that has been written about depression. It is a story, and a look at Christianity, the Bible and mental illness.
It is available in Kindle and paperback.
https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187
Steve and Robyn would like to invite you to a special support group! This is for people who suffer from depression, bipolar, panic disorder, OCD, etc., or for those supporting loved ones and friends who have these conditions.
CAMI Support Groups
We meet every Thursday evening at
Boca Glades Baptist Church
10101 Judge Winikoff Road
Boca Raton, FL 3342
It goes from 7:00 – 8:15 pm in the Education building. Look for the signs!
If you have any questions or need any
other information call Steve or Robyn Bloem
at Heartfelt Counseling Ministries 561.909.9109.
We look forward to seeing you!
Come as you are!
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