wheredoesshegofromhere: Submission

PERSON FIRST, ILLNESS LAST

Bipolar Disorder is the name used to describe a set of conditions where the individual experiences mood swings between two opposite poles. Bipolar Disorder used to be known as 'manic depression'. The highs of Bipolar Disorder are called mania or hypomania. The lows are called depression. Occasionally people can experience a mixture of both highs and lows at the same time giving a mixed picture (also called mixed state) With the right treatment, most people with Bipolar Disorder are able, to varying extents, to live normal and productive lives.

Scripture

2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Hosea 2: 14 -15, 23 "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards and will the make the Valley of Achor a door of hope...I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one'. I will say to those called 'Not my people' 'You are my people' and they will say 'You are my God'."
Ezekiel 27: 4-6 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.' "
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
Matthew 8:26 He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Psalm 88 But I cry to you for help, O Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why oh Lord do you reject me and hide your face from me?
Lamentations 3: 22-23 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness
John 10: 27-30 reassurance

Monday, 4 June 2007

One of the saddest verses in the bible

Cold day in forest (Grief for my late friend Ivan) by Tomáš Pačes

Genesis 6: 5- 7 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them."

Oh how we must cause pain to our Father when the thoughts of our heart are evil all the time. Lord God, help me to live as you would have me live. I long for you to delight in me as your daughter, not grieve that you have made me.

Saturday, 2 June 2007

You are not your own

A week ago during a time of group prayer, I prayed that God would give me the courage and grace to submit my illness to Him - to lay my doubts, worries, hopes and dreams before him, trusting that He will use them for his own purposes.

Now I find I have to unpack the idea of submission more, in order to live it out day by day.
Submission seems almost counter-intuitive - our culture values independence and individual skill levels so highly, that submission is often seen to be a sign of weakness. However the Bible's view of submission is in stark contrast with this. The Bible tells us that we are not strong enough to stand on our own. We need God to guide us. Biblical submission occurs when we allow God to be our guide.

Three verses appear to be particularly pertinent to my struggles....

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 Corinthians 6: 19 - 20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

When we allow God to be our guide, we trust that He is sovereign and we know that he will guide us safely home.

I would like to talk more about this in later posts and would certainly appreciate any comments or advice.

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