I thought it might be helpful if I posted some verses about affliction (definition: grievous pain or trouble) and how the Bible describes its purpose. You’ll note that the Bible doesn’t view affliction as always being bad, or as a punishment, it consistently describes difficulty as a way to refine us, to teach us, and that good […]
Before the Ending of the Day
July 26, 2012 by 2 Comments
Before the ending of the day, Creator of the world, we pray, that with thy wonted favour thou wouldst be our guard and keeper now. From all ill dreams defend our eyes, from nightly fears and fantasies; tread underfoot our ghostly foe, that no pollution we may know. O Father, that we ask be done, […]
Life Update
July 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Just thought I’d share a little of what is going on in my life at the moment, although I generally stay away from that sort of thing, as my life is by and large quite boring! I am very well at the moment. In fact, for the past year I have had few wobbles, and […]
Holy Suffering?
July 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
There is a long-running theme in Christianity that suffering – whether mental or physical – is in some way good for us. In a way, we identify more closely with Jesus (the Suffering Servant) when we too suffer, and some people suggest there is a transformative power to our suffering. Martin Luther wrote on the […]
My Song is Love Unknown
July 21, 2012 by 1 Comment
My song is love unknown, my Saviour’s love to me, love to the loveless shown, that they might lovely be. O who am I, that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh, and die? He came from his blest throne, salvation to bestow; but men made strange, and none the longed-for Christ would […]
The Power of a Good Story
July 19, 2012 by 2 Comments
We have all seen them, the stories of those who have suffered and won. Disabled people face two “stories” about themselves – the disabled person as scrounger, as the faker who is in it for the benefits and not really disabled/ill (which has become increasingly the story of choice for the government/media) and the disabled […]
Seeking Relief
July 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
All ye who seek for sure relief in trouble and distress, whatever sorrow vex the mind, or guilt the soul oppress, Jesus, who gave himself for you upon the cross to die, opens to you his sacred heart: O to that heart draw nigh. Ye hear how kindly he invites; ye hear his words so […]
Troublesome Verses: Sound Mind
July 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
There are some verses in the Bible which are troubling to Christians who suffer mental ill-health. Some of them seem to suggest that we cannot be proper Christians, or even Christian at all, if we have mental illnesses. One of these verses is in 2 Timothy, where Paul is speaking to Timothy: For the Spirit […]
When Our Heads are Bow’d with Woe
July 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
WHEN our heads are bow’d with woe, When our bitter tears o’erflow, When we mourn the lost, the dear, Gracious Son of Mary, hear! Thou, our throbbing flesh hast worn; Thou, our mortal griefs hast borne; Thou hast shed the human tear; Gracious Son of Mary, hear! When the sullen death-bell tolls For our own […]
“You Have a Spiritual Problem”
July 14, 2012 by 3 Comments
There is a great deal of rather ignorant talk from some Christians about mental illness. I think everyone has at least heard of, if not actually experienced, Christians who believe that mental ill-health is a spiritual problem rather than a medical one. Such people believe that a Christian must be in emotional good health, and […]
Believer's Brain 