To argue that all persons with mental illness are sinful or possessed by demons is to justify that all persons without a mental illness is righteous and cannot be possessed by demons. This method of logic is absurd.
Everything God made is good. Just because we don’t understand another, doesn’t make that person less than normal or odd. Some people just require more understanding than others.
If the truth is told, everybody possesses some “peculiarity”. However, those of us who think we are “more normal” when compared to others are just more adapt at hiding our peculiarities than others. Their peculiarities are visible, whereas ours are invisible. It is written:
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:
but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
- 2 Corinthians 10:12
It is unwise to set yourself as the “standard” by which others should be measured. We all have difficulties, but different difficulties. To truly understand another takes focusing on what we hold in common, rather than focusing on what creates the differences between us.
Respecting the uniqueness of those you do not quite understand, or agree with, is essential to forming the relationship that is needed to remove the walls of separation between you and others. Everybody wants to feel accepted and understood. Everyone desires to be loved and to feel loved.
Excerpts from The Church and Mental Illness
Purchase from Amazon.com
Everything God made is good. Just because we don’t understand another, doesn’t make that person less than normal or odd. Some people just require more understanding than others.
If the truth is told, everybody possesses some “peculiarity”. However, those of us who think we are “more normal” when compared to others are just more adapt at hiding our peculiarities than others. Their peculiarities are visible, whereas ours are invisible. It is written:
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:
but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
- 2 Corinthians 10:12
It is unwise to set yourself as the “standard” by which others should be measured. We all have difficulties, but different difficulties. To truly understand another takes focusing on what we hold in common, rather than focusing on what creates the differences between us.
Respecting the uniqueness of those you do not quite understand, or agree with, is essential to forming the relationship that is needed to remove the walls of separation between you and others. Everybody wants to feel accepted and understood. Everyone desires to be loved and to feel loved.
Excerpts from The Church and Mental Illness
Purchase from Amazon.com