Do  Christians with bipolar have experience of becoming lukewarm in their relationship with God ..?
819999
Actually several times when I was manic, I felt closer to God.  \n\nAnd several times when I have been extremely depressed, I felt that God did not care.  Once I was in the hospital and I felt abandon by everyone including God.\n\nSo, unfortunately, I think alot of your perspective on God (and everything else for that matter) is affected by your mood.
250964
Absolutely, 100% YES! Sometimes you feel alone and you feel that God might be ignoring you, but I bet that if you pray and talk to Jesus you WILL feel Him in your heart. Remember the Footprints in the Sand story, that when we feel our lowest it is then that Jesus is carrying you. It might sound hokey and to let you know, I am not a bible thumper and I do not attend Church on a regular basis, but I do believe in my heart and soul that God is ALWAYS with us, it's just that we don't take the time to "hear" what He is saying to us. Just listen.
955251
ingrained religious dogma and the "ick" factor experienced by insecure heterosexuals\njust my opinion
285205
I have that problem as well. Well, I don't like to think of it as a "problem," per se, but more of a personality quirk. Just like any other issue, it's something that just has to be worked around.\n\nI started by forcing myself into situations where I knew I would otherwise feel competitive and needing to prove my point. Just as an example, I'm an atheist, but I thought I could broaden my circle of acceptance if I started going to Christian meetings on campus. At first it was a little rough, and I'm surprised they were so welcoming to me every week despite my obvious rejection of their beliefs. But now I'm much more open to religious individuals.\n\nI've yet to learn how to spread this to everything else I feel strongly about, but I've learned this was the best way: forcing myself to "suck it up" until I no longer feel as if I'm going to explode if I don't make some kind of snide remark.\n\nJust don't tell my boyfriend, or he might expect me to be more agreeable with him, too.
914865
I have an identical twin sister who has stuggled with clinical depression for many years. We are both Christians. For many years, I, who have never been diagnosed with any mental illness, thought she should just "snap out of it", have some faith, and pick herself up by the bootstraps.  It wasn't till I got an udnerstanding of what depression was that I began to understand the physical and spiritual dynamics of depression.  Some people can battle a temporary depression that is sometimes due to events in their life, past issues of hurt, etc.  And sometimes those periods of depression are spiritual in nature, because depression not only affects the mind, but can very much affect one's spirit.  They don't always have their origins in the spirit realm.  Other times, there is, indeed, a spirit of depression that the enemy will bring to try and destroy a child of God.  If a spiritual depression goes too long unattended, it is very possible for the brain to develop an chemical imbalance as well.  There, of course, is clinical depression, that originates in the person's mind and is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain.  \n\nThe LAST thing someone who is struggling with depression needs is a well meaning brother or sister in Christ telling them, "Have faith!"  "Believe God for healing"  Too often, those of us who don't struggle with mental illness shake our heads at the mentally ill.  And God forbid a Christian should struggle with depression and need to take meds either temporarily or permanently.  Surely they don't have enough faith in God!  Surely they did something to bring this upon themselves!  Yeah, they said that to Job too.  How do you beileve God for healing when you can't even make it out of bed some days?  How do you find your way to the mountaintop of faith, when the chemicals in your mind cause you to feel like you are in the abyss?  That's the time when, we who are spiritual, should pray for them, help them in any practical way, and carry the load for them if God instructs us to.  Make no mistake, people HAVE been miraculously healed by God from dperession.  More often than not, God relys on us to walk thru WHATEVER he has seen fit to allow in our lives.  WHY?  Because somewhere along our journey, we will find someone who is struggling at that moment with what God has already brought us through.  If you know someone who is battling with depression, LOVE THEM right where they are.  Don't wait for them to get "better".
872116
I think your questions count as preaching, but I can tell you that I am not interested in a relationship with Jesus or the Christian God.  I do feel complete.  I do not feel vulnerable and alone - my beliefs empower me and surrounds me with the protections I need to enjoy my life.  Even with an army on your side, anyone can feel scared from time to time - but I am very safe in my understanding of the Universe.\n\nThe things is, that even in a Christian God model philosophy the point is not to life your live for god - the point is to understand your own divinity and to understand that you and god are a team.  If god is an ocean, we are each and everyone of us a glass of god, with tremendous power and divine right - no matter what we call this being.  To spend time steeped in any church dogma only brings you closer to understanding the church, not god.  \n\nI am glad that Christianity has helped you and I rejoice that you are happy on your chosen path.  I regret that you feel you need to school others or that you feel you have the only answer to the mysteries of life.  There is no way to truly know the Unknowable and there are many paths to enlightenment.  Worry about your own soul until someone asks you for help if you truly want to display the virtue of christianity.\n\nPeace!
983737
I know that sucks. But you have to look at anyone's behavior from inside their shoes.\n\nPeople who do this honestly believe that if you do not convert to their point of view, you are going to suffer in the afterlife, or have less than others, or be eternally destroyed while others continue on, etc.\n\nTherefore, it really is the most loving thing to do from their perspective. From inside their worldview, you are missing 2 hours of sleep but will possibly, by accepting what they honestly see as the truth, escape an eternity burning in a pit of flames, or life on a lower heaven, etc.\n\nIt sucks, but there it is. The logical consequence of their theology is that it would be selfish of them to NOT do the things they do. \n\nNothing except changing their theology will end that conviction...and changing their theology can only be achieved by giving them more respect than you feel they are giving you and then talking to them. And it will rarely work.\n\n~ Lib
746213
Dude I am so with you. Shes not really my ex not divorced yet. Shes cheating. Shes with an old bf and yes I get really sick when I thinka bout it. I'm really christian too. So I pray about it and it goes away, but God has assured me that she is confused right now but that she will be coming back to me. Also our pastor is going to be talking with her. But ya man you arn't alone those feeling happen. Especially when it's someone you truely love.
560553
Hey Cee Jay.\n\nI too am a Christian who has battled depression. Depression is a horrible thing.  People, especially Christians, who have never fought a "true depression"  just do not understand.   I was under a severe depression for 7 years.    \n\nFirst I want to say that I do not know if the sin you were referring to was the cause of your depression.  You seem to think there is a connection.    So I am going to base my response to the clues you left in your question.   \n\nPlease, hang on to the relationship you have with Christ with all that you have within you.  Do not let your sin, or others cruelty tear you away from Jesus.  Please, even if your depression keeps you from going to church at times, hang on to Jesus.    \n\nDo not let the stress of your recurrent sin get you so down.  Use this spiritual block of yours and turn it into a stepping stone.  \n\nTake some time to be with Jesus.  Pray by talking to him in as you would anyone else.  Try to be calm while you are talking to him.  Don't be afraid to say what ever comes to your mind.    If you are being honest with him and yourself - your healing can begin.    God will not be angry with you.   \n\nMedicine did not work for me.  They may work for you.   I had to claw my way out of depression.  When you help yourself overcome depression you will be truly free.   It can be a long hard road.  But I am here if you want talk.   I hope this helped.  May God bless your jouney.
191341
Hello The Great an... :)\n\nI was not raised in a Chrisitan home..my dad was an alcholic..my mom used to abuse us with a belt..If I listened to my mom and my dad, I would still be an atheist..\n\nI was not afraid of going to hell (I did not believe it existed)..I did not believe that heaven existed either (God was not real to me)..\n\nI tried the Wiccan religion..it had no answers for my drug addiction..or for taking away the feeling of loneliness..I did not like the idea of any god or godesses'..for if they were real, my life would not have a hell here on earth..\n\nI also tried Buddism..it said you have to find yourself within to change..that was the problem I was having..I could not change my self..No matter how much I tried.. :(\n\nI could not have followed the marjority..because before I asked Jesus into my heart, I did not even know that Christians were the marjority..I did not even want to know..I hated Christians..because they were sicky sweet..telling everyone that Jesus Loved them..they did not know how to have fun in life, they lived boring lives..\n\nThen one day, I just could not take life anymore (I was going to kill myself that day)..\n\nMy brother came over on Sundays to take my children to Church..he asked me if I wanted to go..I told him I was not dressed, he said he would wait for me..So I went to the Jesus Freaks Church (that is what I called them)..I cursed the Pastor..all he did is tell me that he Loved me and so did Jesus..I said I would be coming back next Sunday to curse him out again..\n\nThe following Sunday before I was able to say anything the Pastor asked if anyone wanted to be baptised that afternoon..before I knew what I was doing, my arm went up into the air..I was baptized that afternoon..\n\nThe next morning I was quoting scriptures from the Bible (I had never even read it before)..my oldest daughter came down the stairs and I said to her, I Love you and for the first time in my life, I felt Love for my little girl, she came running to me and we hugged each other, I was crying, because you see, I used to abuse my little girl.. :(\n\nI was immediately set free from drugs, greed, hatred, anger, self pity, lust, and fear of what tomorrow may bring..\n\nNo one, had ever able to give me total peace within my heart..or given me a reason to live..nor have they ever been able to fill the emptiness within..\n\nUntil that one day on August 28, 1978..when I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life and forgive me of my sins..for if one asks with a sincere heart, your sins will be washed away and you will feel as clean and as white as snow..a veil shall be lifted from your eyes..then and only then will anyone believe that:\n\nJohn 3\n\n16  ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\n \n17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.\n \n===========================================================\n\nThank-you for asking this question.. :)\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..In Christ..
90113
The biggest difficulty and challenge that I have had has come not from within, but from the outside world.  I believe that we should all respect one another's beliefs and that our journey with God is a personal one, so naturally, I am continually disappointed with the attitudes and behaviors that I see displayed in the name of God every day.  I am also constantly barraged with, "Christians do this and Christians do that and WHY, WHY, WHY?!" and I don't have an answer except to say that they are not true Christians as Christ intended.  \n\nBut, I'm tired of standing up for why I believe what I believe when it's no one's business but mine and God's.  People think it's wrong to stereotype a person by race or nationality, but perfectly okay to do so by spiritual beliefs and I think that should come to a stop.
387570
Hi my name is marissa here is my testamony. I became christian when my boyfriend left me of 2 years. I was depressed and I didn't want to live anymore. I meet this guy a friend. He would always talk about God and I then was was so anxouis to go to chruch, When i went I cryed cause I fealt a relived a burden left from me. God is good amazing. I know now that God is the love I found my only....
613167
Hi,just to let you know YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE!WE all go through the rough times in life "belief me".I have been through it all I have also felt the same way.I have felt as if "why me""not again"BUT through it all I have to honestly say it has made me a stronger person.I guess that's why they say that life is like a roller coaster...you have your ups & downs.I know right now it might seem as if everything is caving in on you...STOP,BREATH,TAKE CONTROL,How? by saying well 1st IM ALIVE 2nd LOOK AROUND NOTICE ALL THAT YOU HAVE AND HOW FAR YOU HAVE COME 3rd START BEEN THANKFULL FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING & NEVER FORGET THAT A PRAYER WILL GO A LONG WAY.this is something I look @ every so often it says...Have FAITH in yourself and always do your BEST.Watch your THOUGHTS;they become your WORDS.Watch your WORDS;they become your ACTIONS.Watch your ACTIONS;they become your HABITS.Watch your HABITS;they become your CHARACTER.Watch your CHARACTER;it becomes your DESTINY...I pray this will help a little.I WISH YOU WELL!!!
924198
sometimes yes.\nI am a full out Born Again, Bible Believing, Southern Bapt., Christian.  \nAnd there are times when i hang my head low over the actions and speech of Christians.  \nWe are targets and some dont realize how much they hurt.
604874
Yes it does sound like christians are shooting themselves in the foot. its quite amusing. I also think that on some subconciese level that the guilt fear and shame inside them darkens thier hearts until they are unaware they are doing anything wrong or believing anything wrong/.;
925204
You do have a good point, and it is something to take notice of. I haven't thought about it that way, but as a Christian, I will take this constructively and maybe there can be things that I can change that I wasn't doing before in treating people. As for my shortcomings in life, I blame that all on myself.
1131559
No. Insane people often can't help their mental imbalance. Christians are lunatics by choice.