I read this article last night about a trending hash tag called #MedicatedAndMighty . While scanning it over, I was reminded about something I have tried to ignore....until now
I wish I had a dollar every time someone made a comment about how God can take away the need for using medication for mental health reasons. I would Finally be able to buy a decent car with that money; however, that's not the case. Thus presents two sad outcomes:
1. Since no dollars are given to me per comment, I will just have to continue the long frustrating task of saving for what will probably be a billion years for personal transportation. (my credit score is terrible so a car loan ain't happening)
2.Comments like that are discouraging to Christians who are/considering the use of medication for mental health reasons.
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed when it comes to discussion of ailments that can cause distress to the human body, mental health isn't mentioned? Though if it is lightly touched on in either biology or gym/ health classes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I vaguely remember learning that the brain is a part of the human body. Just like any part of the body, the brain can have an array of problems occur to/in it.
I get the brain is the most complex and mysterious part in the human body, but should people with mental disorders be treated differently, especially when it comes to those involved in the Christian faith??
Imagine going up to someone who has let's say for example a chronic lung disorder, and telling them "Hey, you know God can totally heal you of your condition, you don't need to be using those pills, inhalers, nebulizer treatments!". Um yeah. I'm pretty sure if those people listened to comments like those, eventually they would suffer greatly struggling to breath! So why tell someone with Bipolar, OCD, Depression, Generalized Anxiety, PTSD, ADD, Skitzophrenia, etc. medication isn't necessary if you have God?? Those who take medication for mental health reasons should be treated just like anyone else who takes medication for issues involving other parts of the body.
Now before anyone goes off the handle saying I'm wrong to think God can't heal people from mental health afflictions....chill! I promise you, with every once of my being I KNOW God can take away any health problems! I am also not saying people who take medication should avoid asking God to take away the need to use medication.
What I am saying is to stop making comments like that to people. It's hurtful, discouraging, and can make people feel like they are terrible Christians for using them.
My passion for this particular topic stems from my personal struggling being a Christian with mental health disorders. I struggle with depression, OCD, and ADHD. I listened to those comments and would take myself off whatever prescriptions I was given. I felt like those people were just encouraging me to be a better believer in Christ. Instead, I ended up feeling miserable, doing horrible in college, driving friends away from being so insanely clingy, and worst of all feeling like I could never be used by God because I just felt so broken, pathetic, and a fraud if I felt moved by a song during church because "it was the medication doing that". Which was totally false! When I did get back on my medication, I felt "normal" (for a lack of better words)! My hedonic treadmill was up and running, and I've never felt closer to God because of the gift of medications!
Why would anyone who feels sad and broken care that there lungs allow them to breath effortlessly?.
Why would anyone who feels hopeless care if they can move their body without being in pain?
Why would anyone who feels panicked care if they can eat whatever they like without getting sick?
Didn't the Apostle Paul say in 1 Corinthians 12:26 "if one part suffers, every part suffers with it"??? He did, cause I literally just referenced him saying that.
Which leads me to my final remarks...
~For the love of God! Stop making comments against Christians using medication for mental health treatment.
~Feel free to pray for those who have mental health disorders, but unless they asked, don't tell them you did.
~Those like me who do suffer from a mental disorder, remember that God can take them away; however, that doesn't mean that if you use medication then you're a Christian fraud.
The God TOTALLY uses people who take medication of any kind! Why would He select only those who don't to be used? He doesn't I promise!
This is all being said....
I'm #MedicatedAndMighty
