We understand the frustration you may be experiencing regarding mental illness. It is extremely difficult for doctors to treat and they often do not understand the anguish you are going through personally. Jesus is the Great Physician and He has compassion beyond measure.
You are not alone! God can and will help you overcome your situation.
The Christians in Recovery Web site is loaded with hundreds of pages of information and files designed to help you learn more about and conquer depression and various mental health issues:
http://christians-in-recovery.org/Issues_MentalHealth
http://christians-in-recovery.org/Tools_Library_NIMH-BiPolar
http://christians-in-recovery.org/Tools_Library_NIMH-Depression
Talk with others who are in recovery. Learn how they overcame.
Ask questions in our Message Boards.
Attend our online meetings. You can find the schedule here:
http://christians-in-recovery.org/tools_chat_schedule
Check out:
Where to Start Recovery
http://christians-in-recovery.org/Issues_WhereStart_Start
Frequently Asked Questions
http://christians-in-recovery.org/Tools_FAQ
If you are in an emergency situation consider calling one of the
hotline numbers listed here:
http://christians-in-recovery.org/Tools_Hotlines
This excellent booklet will help:
Biblical Counseling
Biblical counselors have been trained to utilize the Bible in a counseling context by applying practical and hopeful biblical principles to real life situations and problems. Christians who find they are struggling with various problems need an understanding of the awesome resources available in biblical solutions that offer real
hope and practical help.
Good online information to help you:
Does God Want Me Well?
When Help Is Needed: A Biblical View Of Counseling
When Hope is Lost: Dealing with Depression
Read the excellent books listed here:
http://recoverybooks.com/mental.html
According to the Billy Graham Christian Worker’s handbook:
“Mental illness is a general term commonly used to cover a wide range of psycho-neurological disorders. There are those who are truly ill, suffering some type of malfunction due to a brain injury, an inherited illness, or a glandular or chemical imbalance. Such cases should be referred to a medical doctor and possibly a psychiatrist.
“There are, however, many behaviors often classified as mental illness which are the result of unresolved sinful attitudes or conduct. Those affected may display the symptoms of illness, but many times these symptoms are stress related and due to spiritual problems. At times such people are feigning illness rather than facing the reality of their situation. They will blame other people and circumstances for their problems in order to divert attention from themselves: “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God. . . . The man said, ‘The woman you put here with me — she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate’” (Genesis 3:8, 12–13, NIV).
“It would be a disservice merely to treat the symptoms or excuse such a person just “because of the way he is.” …The first step in recovery is to assume personal responsibility for wrong attitudes and actions: “Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13, NIV). “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12, NIV).
“Change is possible, if such an individual will face reality and:
** Lay bare his or her life before God.
** Repent of what is wrong in attitudes and actions.
** Confess it to God with the intention of abandoning it in favor of
newness of life in Christ Jesus.
“Many lives have been redirected through receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The power of the Word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, unleashed in a life, have positive effects.”
Read everything you can get your hands on regarding recovery. Use RecoveryBooks.com for added recommendations.
Hope and Help Booklets
Offer HOPE and practical HELP to implement this hope. Hope in the Bible is not wishful thinking. Hope in the Bible is a sure promise of what will be.
The Heart of Addiction
This book and accompanying workbook make the distinction between what the world terms a “disease” and what Scripture demonstrates is a life-dominating sin nature problem. You will find biblical tools to help you examine your heart’s motives at the root of your addiction or dysfunctional behavior.
The 12 Steps A Spiritual Journey (workbook with guide for leading a group)
The Twelve Steps for Christians (accompanies above)
(excellent workbook)
A Practical Guide to Victory in Christ
Order From:
Overcomers in Christ
P.O. Box 34460
Omaha, NE 68134
ph.402-573-0966
Celebrate Recovery Participant’s Guides Set
Celebrate Recovery Curriculum
Victory Over the Darkness Book and Study Guide
Neil T. Anderson / Harvest House
Bondage Breaker
Neil T. Anderson / Harvest House
Bondage Breaker Study Guide
Neil T. Anderson / Harvest House
A Hunger for Healing Workbook
Then look under “Where to Start” at RecoveryBooks.com
We suggest any Christian who is in recovery or trying to recover from ANYTHING get copies of these Bibles:
Life Recovery Bible
Published by Tyndale House Publishers.This Bible is specially annotated for recovering Christians and is a wonderful source of support and healing.
Serenity: A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery
(New King James Version- New Testament Psalms & Proverbs)
by Dr. Robert Hemfelt and Dr. Richard Fowler
Recovery Devotional Bible
(complete Bible-NIV version)
Includes 365 meditations and extensive notes
Zondorvan Publishers
If this information has been helpful to you, please consider making a small donation to Christians in Recovery so that our ministry may continue to assist others in need.
Christians in Recovery does not engage in providing individualized professional services or counseling and should not be used or regarded as a substitute for such services. See Terms and Conditions of Use
Please let us know if we can be of further assistance to you.