We begin today’s blog post with two quotes. One is a set of statistics based on Veteran suicide/mental illness. The other is the opinion about mental illness by one of our day’s leading Biblical preachers/teachers. After reading these one must, especially if you call yourself a “Christian” take a serious look at the questions posed By John MacArthur and the numbers being reported by the VA.
Recent Veteran VHA Users rates grew more slowly across 20 years when compared to rates of Veterans without Recent VHA use. From 2001 to 2021, age-adjusted suicide rates rose 24.5% for male Veterans with Recent VHA use and 62.6% for male Veterans without Recent VHA use. Age-adjusted suicide rates rose 87.1% for female Veterans with recent VHA use and 93.7% for female Veterans without Recent VHA use
2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report
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“And the major noble lie is there is such a thing as mental illness. Now, this isn’t new. You have Thomas Szasz … writing a book, who was a psychiatrist, on The Myth of Mental Illness. There’s no such thing as PTSD. There’s no such thing as OCD. There’s no such thing as ADHD. Those are noble lies to basically give the excuse to, at the end of the day, to medicate people. And Big Pharma is in charge of a lot of that,” the pastor argued.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/john-macarthur-says-there-is-no-such-thing-as-mental-illness.html
The reason for this post came about after I read an article in the Christian Post, about John MacArthur’s views on mental illness. This sort of flexing of the “spiritual” cure-all against the more modern medical practices is nothing new. The question we must ask is whether it is warranted.
First, some background, I suffer from PTSD, my wife due to being poisoned has schizophrenia, and my daughter MST. So mental health in our family is something we take seriously. I am not an “expert” but I am quite well-read on the subject. I am convinced there is no one-cure-all for the masses. The triggers for the severity of anxiety, anger, depression, etc. all play a role in treatment.
MacArthur brings up some valid points in the article. Are abuses in the field of Mental Health being exercised upon children and society as a whole, absolutely. Can God cure all mental illness, again absolutely. Is God required to cure everyone, especially His faithful, NO!
Man is born, sinful, depraved and these illnesses are a direct result of that. Can God from a Biblical perspective heal all mental illness, YES! Is God required to heal all mental illness, NO! Did my faith, my true conversion to Christianity help with my PTSD, YES! Yet one must not forget Colossians 1:16 ESV For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. That means God created the doctors and the pharmaceuticals too. Are there Good helpful folks working in these fields, certainly. Just as in any other sector of society, there are many with only profit not health in mind. It is our job to select the best doctors (Biblical and trained) and not abuse the treatment prescribed to help our mental health.
A Crucial Question: Is Mental Illness Biblical?
Mental Health and Faith: Understanding the Bible’s Perspective
4 Encouraging Truths for Christians with Mental Illness
The VA Releases Second National Suicide Data Report
Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
You’re not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.
- Access free, confidential support 24/7, 365 days a year.
- Connect with a real person qualified to support Veterans.
- The Veterans Crisis Line serves Veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them.
This Mental Health Month, hear Veterans share how their lives and perspectives have improved with mental health treatment and learn about the tools that have helped them along the way.
EXPLORE THEIR JOURNEYS NOW
Legionnaire, active-duty Marine runs for his mental health and to help others
MST survivor finds hope at Legion SWS town hall
American Legion member, who had not heard about her pending claim for eight months, receives support during a System Worth Saving visit to Phoenix.
As always we believe prayer is the most important factor in shedding the weight of this world.
For those Weighed Down and Burdened
Upon occasion of the cares and burdens and afflictions of particular persons: as, when we pray with or for those that are troubled in mind, and melancholy, and under doubts and fears about their spiritual state.
Lord, enable those that fear thee and obey the voice of thy servant, but walk in darkness and have no light, to trust in the name of the Lord, and to stay themselves upon their God; Isaiah 50:10(KJV) and at evening time let it be light. Zechariah 14:7(KJV)
Lord, enable those that fear thee and obey the voice of thy servant, but walk in darkness and have no light, to trust in the name of the Lord, and to stay themselves upon their God; Isaiah 50:10(KJV) and at evening time let it be light. Zechariah 14:7(KJV)
O strengthen the weak hands, confirm the feeble knees, say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not. Isaiah 35:3-4(KJV) Answer them with good words and comfortable words, Zechariah 1:13(KJV) saying unto them, Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you: Matthew 9:5(KJV) Be of good cheer, it is I; be not afraid, Mark 6:50(KJV) I am your salvation; Psalm 35:3(KJV) and make them to hear the voice of joy and gladness, that broken bones may rejoice. Psalm 51:8(KJV)
Let those who now remember God and are troubled, whose spirits are overwhelmed and whose souls refuse to be comforted, Psalm 77:2-3(KJV) be enabled to trust in thy mercy, so that at length they may rejoice in thy salvation: Psalm 13:5(KJV) though thou slay them, yet to trust in thee. Job 13:15(KJV)
Though deep calls unto deep, and all thy waves and thy billows go over them, yet do thou command thy loving-kindness for them in the day-time, and in the night let thy song be with them, and their prayer to the God of their life; Psalm 42:7-8(KJV) though their souls are cast down and disquieted within them, give them hope in God, that they shall yet praise him, and let them find him the health of their countenance and their God. Psalm 42:11(KJV)
O renew a right spirit within them, cast them not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from them, but restore unto them the joy of thy salvation and uphold them with thy free Spirit, Psalm 51:10-12(KJV) that their tongues may sing aloud of thy righteousness Psalm 51:14(KJV) and shew forth thy salvation. Psalm 71:15(KJV)
O bring them up out of this horrible pit and this miry clay, and set their feet upon a rock, establishing their goings, and put a new song in their mouth, even praises to our God: Psalm 40:2-3(KJV) O comfort them again now after the time that thou hast afflicted them. Psalm 90:15(KJV)
Though for a small moment thou hast forsaken them and hid thy face from them, yet gather them and have mercy on them with everlasting kindness. Isaiah 54:7-8(KJV)
O let thy Spirit witness with their spirits, that they are the children of God; Romans 8:16(KJV) and by the blood of Christ let them be purged from an evil conscience. Hebrews 10:22(KJV)
Lord, rebuke the tempter, even the accuser of the brethren; Revelation 12:10(KJV) the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke him, and let the poor, tempted, troubled souls be as brands plucked out of the burning. Zechariah 3:2(KJV)
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