Bipolar Support Group

I am a christian that has wandered from my faith off and on since i received jesus christ back in 1984! when i first became ill, the church i attended said i had a demon! and every since i was diagnosed i would try to go back to church, out of my love for God. It would seem that i would relapse every time! now i'm not in church and i end up blaming God that this happens and that he don't want me in his kingdom!i fight the thoughts, but they keep coming around and makes me doubt my faith everytime!i was frightened of God since my childhood, although i attended church.I am no longer in a home church!i read my bible and listen to christian radio and when it gets to be to much, i turn it off!i stopped attending after my husband left me and the church stopped wanting anything to do with me after that, along with my illness!

Jewels, the "church" biblically has never been the building. It is the people, thank God that He does not work like we do. Christianity is all about our relationship with Him. It sounds like you still have that relationship going, that is the important part. Keep up that relationship, He is big enough to handle your fears and discontent with Him at times, we all go through this. If your "home church" (the one that you have always gone to) is not able to minister to you where you are right now go to another church that is faithful. It may be a time in your life to move. We all go through seasons in life.

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When my wife was diagnosed we attended the Catholic Church. We were moving towns and went to the local Catholic Church. My wife did not feel welcome, you know that cold feeling that you are not in the right place. A friend invited us to attend a local Baptist Church with him, we walked in and felt like we were home. We have never left that place and have grown greatly there. There are a hand full of people including the pastor that know my wifes diagnosis, they love her and appreciate her greatly. To say we have grown greatly is being polite, my wife is the director of childrens ministeries, womens leader and I serve as a youth leader, mens leader, usher and Deacon amongst other things.

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The point of the previous paragraph is that God will put you in a place where you can grow. In His good time. (I peronally get his good time and mine confused, but I am sure that is just me).

GOD BLESS

RED

i don't have a church at this time! i just pray at home!my next door neighbor stopped going to his church which was catholic, it was a mens group they told him he had a demon, so he stopped going!it gets a little lonely, but most churches cater to families!i don't fit because i'm divorced!and bipolar!i watch joel osteen on sundays, sometimes that is my church.the church in my neighborhood was cold also!i don't drive,and i hate to wait on people that bring you to church afterwords! noone talks to me.and i am ready to go!

i agree with RED. the church are the people. As long as you still have faith in Jesus you are in a good place. I also experienced somewhat of the same thing. They preached that no one needed meds to live. But i disputed it when the pastor had to have chemo for cancer. Why then did he use medicine but people with mental illness could not?? What the heck...... so i stopped going. I need a new home church but have not tried hard to get one. I am still in faith with christ and that is all that matters.

Jewels, I had a similar experience, except that I left before my diagnosis because everything had some of a demonic source. It was WAY too weird and I ran from there pronto when I realized that's what they were into. I don't go there.

I go to a Presbyterian church where the Bible is adhered to, but gently. NO one is beaten with a Bible. I question God, I doubt sometimes, I get angry at Him, but I know He understands and isn't miffed about it. He is love and knows my frailties. I find great comfort in that. He understands where you are, too. So try to find peace in that. When you are ready to go back to a church on a regular basis, you'll know. Until then, it's okay.

Jewels, a thought... If your neighbor is in a similiar place and in need of a place to call home and drives. Maybe the two of you need to talk about going out to other churches together. You will each know someone there that way and it should minimize the wait to go for both of you. Just a thought.

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My wife and I believe that the medications are a God Send. God has to have had a hand in the inspiration given to the inventors of these meds. They give so much relief to so many... Sorry that is probably another thread for another day.

jewels sounds like you have a great relationship with God. I really like gathering with other Christians every Sunday because it uplifts me physically and mentally and feel I have made special friends there who really do care and pray for me.

Should you wish to find another Church to go to on Sundays, ask the Lord to guide you to the Church He wants you to go to. Glad to hear you still read your Bible and pray. I pray that the Lord gives you peace and happiness, Dit (Lorry).

Red, I completely agree with everything you wrote. I am in a hard place right now because I accepted Jesus Christ as my lord and saviour about 16 years ago. I have attended an independent Baptist church- which I love- for the last 13 years with my husband and kids. They are now in the teen group- one is 15 and the other 17. The problem is- my husband and I are separated (3 weeks now) and are unsure how to 'do' the church thing.... my daughter refuses to see us together, even though we are working on our marrage- she said she doesn't want false hope. We haven't gone in 3 weeks and it feels weird. The kids have gone, so that's good. Anyone with suggestions? I was considering finding another church-we have lots of great ones around- but I am the one who eventually moved out and feel I have taken on 90% of the 'blame'.. I need a place to worship- Yes, one can worship and pray and read His word at home- but He wants us to gather together with other believers...

Souix, have you gone and talked to your pastor about your situation. Wanting to be in fellowship but the feelings of sepperation. You say that you and hubby are trying to work it out, are the two of you in couciling together, biblical or otherwise?

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Dit I love what you posted "I really like gathering with other Christians every Sunday because it uplifts me physically and mentally and feel I have made special friends there who really do care and pray for me." For my wife and I the Church is our life, most all of our social interaction is at Church or the people we interact with belong. Not that we are intentionally isolating ourselves to the Church it is just where our "family" is.

This topic really REALLY upsets me. I've been a good christian girl, always actively involved in the music programs, lived by the golden rule, etc.

Jewels we all learn as we grow up that if those that have to announce they're a christian then might not be the best one... My first husband pounded his chest frequently about his christianity. However, he would scream at me night after night that I was going to HELL - that if I really believed in God I wouldn't be suffering/ill. When we separated our "church" stood behind him. I felt abandoned - abused - by God.

It took awhile but I found the right parish - I found the right priest - I found that for me God has always been available in music, so what do I care about what my ex thought?

It's complicated - I wiah you well. Suggestion - look for a church that embraces all peoples and less likely to be backwards about their attitude toward mental health issues, specifically bp.

H.