Living in The Dead Zone (Part 2)

~~ John 10:10b (NIV84) ~~ I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.


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In my research for my upcoming book “Cocoa with Jesus” I watched a documentary called The Stephen Fry Story – The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive (Click here for Part 1 (1 hr) and Part 2 (1 hr)).  It’s a fascinating portrait of Bipolar Disorder (BPD).  It can help those of us who have it not feel so alone, and the people who love us understand us more. 
 
Living in the Norm
The greater general population travel down a standard ‘road’ in terms of their moods and personalities.  The bigger personalities often wander all over the road from side to side, but they are still within the borders of ‘normal’.  People with BPD go way beyond those boundaries on both sides of that road.  It is a very difficult life which can be dangerous in either direction.  Like most with this disorder, and as much as I have desperately and painfully longed to be ‘normal’ all my life, I can honestly say that my view has changed.  As it turns out, ‘fitting in’ and being ‘normal’ are two different things.  Wow!  Who knew?!  What I actually wanted was to fit in.  Honestly, one of my biggest fears, even in the midst of my faith, is that God will bring me through this disorder and out the other end to finally leave it behind; only to find ‘normal’ is boring or restrictive. I’ve been feeling this lately, and it is an uncomfortable feeling for me.

Don’t Listen to Enemy Lies
I have learned that the stigma placed on me, or that I’ve picked up myself, is not who I am.  I am a child of God.  So much of the negative thinking in my head, was not my own.  It was false, uneducated, shameful, fearful myths; lies from the enemy who doesn’t mind using people around me for his purposes.  Our words are instruments of destruction, and are among the most dangerous weapons in the world.   

I was told once “You do not know how to count your blessings, because if you did then you wouldn’t be depressed.”  This kind of uneducated lie is exactly the kind of myth that the public needs to be educated about.  Sufferers know that judging others by their appearance, words, actions, lifestyle, sex, culture, age, size, or mental illness is about as efficient as judging a book by its cover.  The world needs to know this too.  Once we can escape the barriers that are preventing progress, relationships will improve, needed medical attention will happen; healing will take place.

God Loves You Just as You Are
Stephen Fry said “I asked many of my fellow Manic Depressives… if they could press a button to release them from their Bipolarity, would they do so?  Most, despite traumatic moments in their life, said ‘No’.  So, after all this, what would I do?  I wouldn’t press the button and live a normal life; not for all the tea in China.

I say “I agree with you Stephen.  I wouldn’t press that button for anything in the world.

What about you?  What would you do?

Let’s Pray
 ~~ Dear God ~~ You are so loving and patient with us.  So often I wish that I could change who I am, or change my circumstances.  Thank You for making me who I am.  Please help me to always be happy with being me.  You gave the job of being (your name here) to me.  Thank You for trusting me with that job.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

Now It’s Your Turn
Thoughts?  Questions?  Want to share your story?  Ask for prayer?  Please consider sharing in the comments section; even if the link you clicked to get here was on another site.  (If you’re on the homepage, click on the post headline, and scroll down to find the comments section.) 

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43 comments :

  1. I am not sure whether I would push it or not - somehow I am NOT the best or most effective planner or MY life - I have reams of stories about times when MY plans didn't work out so well. When God takes the lead and I allow His plan to go in effect, the results are usually much better.

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    1. It always amazes me how much better God's plans work out than mine. He gives me results that I never would have thought to even dream for. Thank you for reading, and thanks so much for sharing. Many blessings to you. HUG

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    2. It is so very true.

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  2. KALLIE1958ARMarch 07, 2013

    awesome Carley Thank you !

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    1. Thank you so very much. I'm glad you liked it. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  3. As much as my meds' side effects bug me (and yes, I've talke with my dr) I think I would not push the button. God saw fit that I should have BPD, therefore, He wants to do something in me or use me. Why would/should I shy or run away from God's best?

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    1. Thank you for reading and for sharing. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  4. IAMWINNINGMarch 07, 2013

    God bless you, Carley. Thank you for getting good information 'out there' for unknowing people to learn about BPD. I have to answer your question negatively.....God allowed it for a purpose, who am I to try to avoid His plans? He may want to teach me something for my own good, and/or He may want to use me somehow, and this is how He plans to accomplish it.

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm so glad that you liked it. Thank you for reading and for sharing. Many blessings to you. HUGS

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  5. Good day! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and
    say I truly enjoy reading your posts. Can you suggest any other
    blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics? Thanks!


    my site - rolety warszawa

    ReplyDelete
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    1. There are man websites that do Christian Devotionals. Just Google it. I like Proverbs 31 Ministries, Girlfriends in God by Bible gateway. And I also like Heartfelt Devotionals by Brenda J. Wood.

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  6. This design is steller! You certainly know how to keep
    a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I
    was almost moved to start my own blog (well,
    almost...HaHa!) Great job. I really enjoyed
    what you had to say, and more than that, how you
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    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  7. I like to think we all have that quirk (some more than others) in our personality that makes us even more individualized than most. I know where most of mine are and I am blessed to recognize so many of the truths we are given through the Bible to know that I am fearfully and wonderfully created, created in the image of God (how cool is that?), and carry a beauty and peace (prayerfully, non-arrogant) that is beyond my understanding . . . and this is just the tip of the iceburg. Regardless of my warts, I am incredibly blessed and I wouldn't change a thing (she says confidently, now!). I'm even taking this one step further in using this philosophy as to whether I should color my hair like so many other old farts my age and I haven't yet taken that leap. God gave me eyes to see the beauty from within and you, my dear SparkCarley, are gorgeous! While I may reboot my worldly programs and goals regularly, I would not attempt to reboot that creativeness that God created in me. Praise God for our diversity! Hug, hug -- (E-joy)Evelyn

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  8. GLITTERGIRL69March 13, 2013

    If God gave me a button to push that would release meu from the one thing that bothers me the most would I do it? I have to be honest and say what first entered into my heart, no I would not push the button. I have been suffering with pain since December. I have chronic pain from Neropathy, but I have been sick with one thing or another since December and recently on Janiary 16th had gallbladder surgery. I still have some thing which is causing pain in my spleen and or stomach whih has been there prior to this surgery. I am not sure which area since the spleen and the tip of the stomach meet. You see, I truly believe that God has control of every aspect of my life, and if I am experiencing any thing it is through His will. I live my life to make the most of every momnet living through it in Christ. I am determined to grow and glorify God in evry circumstance of my life. Would I like this pain to end now, you bet, and I know it will. I will share that I know I AM healed, and God will reveal the healing in His perfect timing. Until then I will continue to grow in the fruit of patience. I praise God for evern my deepest pain, knowing that ALL things even pain through Christ is GOOD! I know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose!

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    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  9. KALLIE1958ARMarch 13, 2013

    Great!

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    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  10. POUNDSAWAY13March 13, 2013

    Yes, I would press that button because God knows what is best for me.

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    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  11. SHIRLEY721March 13, 2013

    Yes God knows best. 0:-D

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    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  12. Carley, Thank You so much for this blog. Also, Thank You for making people aware of mental illiness and that it is very real and a lot of people live with different kinds daily. In my father's family there was a lot of mental illiness and unfortunately during his lifetime it was a hush hush thing! It should have never been that way!

    Again, Thank You for your Great Blog!

    GOD BLESS!
    Louise

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    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  13. Thanks, Be blessed.

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    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  14. I would definitively have him take my binge eating disorder away.
    He can do so anytime!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  15. I love your blog Carlet!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  16. That depends. Does that button include a quick getaway up to Him?

    But then no, He has plans for me here so I think I'd just let Him do it His way, His time. After all, the most annoying thing in my life is...me. My laziness, my lack of dedication, my choices. His typically workout when I can get myself out of the way.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  17. ASPELLWEAVERApril 14, 2013

    I would have my depression and anxiety taken away so I could be back to "normal" again

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for reading. Many blessings to you. HUG

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  18. OFGREENGABLESApril 25, 2013

    definitely would give me a sense of confidence in my mind and body, which, I think, would take the place of binge eating and depression.

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    1. Thank you. I hope you were blessed. HUGS.

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  19. HONOURIAMay 10, 2013

    Nothing. I think I am given challenges in life in order to grow. Let us assume that there is good intent in challenges to our weaknesses, so that mastery is a requirement. I would love to magically have my weight and knee troubles disappear, but maybe, just maybe, I need to learn something from them.

    So...no, nothing!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for sharing. I hope you were blessed. HUGS.

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  20. What i would ask is that god would take away my fibromaylgia, so that it would be possible to
    do exercise like i use to so that i could lose weight.

    Thyroid does not work right ,so without exercise it is hard to lose weight

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for sharing. I hope you were blessed. HUGS.

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  21. CINDYCHARLENEJuly 01, 2013

    I just ran across this thread and appreciate it Carley that you are dealing with a mental disorder the same as my son. He has lived with BPD as well as PTSD for years and he medicated himself with alcohol, drugs and cigarettes until that in itself was literally killing him. He quit cold turkey everything except cigarettes, I think hoping that it would either kill him or cure him. Later he stopped smoking and drinking coffee and pop. He has been alcohol and drug free for a year and a half, and tobacco and coffee free for over a year. He stopped drinking soda pop as most likely he has an ulcer. He is one miserable person, not being able to work because he hates people and wanting to work because he feels worthless when he isn't and not being able to work because of severe back problemswith no way to get disability insurance because he has no money to see a doctor. He cannot even get food stamps because he has no proof he is disabled and in order to qualify he has to go hunting for a job and have four proofs of application every week for six weeks. He is unable to do that. We his parents are resigned to take care of our 44 year old disabled son the rest of our lives and then where will he be. Up a creek without a paddle. Boy if I could push a button and it all be resolved, yes I would do it. But it is not up to me. He would rather stay here in the house than face the system or work either one. So maybe he wouldn't push the magic button. The only thing he has going for him is he believes in God and that was what gave him the strength to quit everything that he knew was killing him. Yet the ironic thing is he wants to die. Taking his own life is out of the question for him, he says because he believes God would not like that. But then he turns around and says he knows God would forgive him because he cannot stand one more thing going wrong with his life. In his eyes nothing is good in his life. He is most definitely living in the Dead Zone. I wish I had answers.

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    1. Thank you so very much for sharing. I hope you were blessed by my article. Many blessings to you. HUG

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