One of the reasons why I chose to have a blog was so there could be profitable fellowship between true Christians especially in regards to their mental illness. Prayer is a very important means to bring about mutual encouragement and comfort to those who suffer from such a devastating disease.
The Bible tells us, in James 5:16b, " The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (NIV).
If you have a prayer request, I promise that I will pray for you or someone else(please don't list names but use initials). If you want to use your own name, go right ahead. If you join the blog then you can put your request in the comments section.
I guess I should start. Pray that Robyn and I will be able to present our seminars in churches. Pray for out son Brant that he would get on the right medications for his awful depression. If you don't feel comfortable giving a request by putting it on my blog then email me, camimovement@yahoo.com
If you can't figure out how to join this blog, then please email me with your prayer request.
Thanks, Steve Bloem
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteJust want you to know that I remembering you, Robyn and Brant in prayers. I am sorry to read about your sister in your latest post. I pray that God will comfort your family in this difficult time.
It is sad how mental illnesses can rob a person of their life mentally, spiritually and even physically. I too have been tempted to take my life many time during severe depression, and thank God for preserving me. This is a risk that is always present in those afflicted with severe depression. The pain can be so devastating and relenting that death appears as if it is the only way out. Thank God that in His mercies, He preserved us from doing so as He apparently still has work for us to do here and He wants us to serve Him and honour Him in our life.
I like the quote you shared from George Muller that, “Not only the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, but also the stops are His doing.” Our greatest comfort is that God is in total control and He has a designed end and purpose in everything. We have the comfort from Scripture that His designs for us is always good, and that He is continuously working all things for His glory and our good. and that of His purpose.
So may you take heart and press on in your good work for our Lord. May others too find salvation and comfort in our Lord, and find help and hope in their sufferings.
I loaned your book to a sister-in-Christ in my church recently and she shared that it has helped her to understand a little better about depression, and will help her in relating to people who are suffering in that way :)
Take care and have a blessed week.
Warm regards in Christ,
Nancie
Nancie,
ReplyDeleteAs always, it was good to hear from you.
Thank you for your sympathy of the loss of my older sister. And thank you for your prayers for Robyn, Brant and me.
Brant is on a medication called EMSAM. It is a MAOI and has helped him more than all the other medications that he has taken for his depression.
I appreciate your willingness to testify regarding your own struggle with mental illness. Thank you for not yielding to the temptation to commit suicide.I believe like you, that knowing God is in control is the answer for persevering in tribulation and not to kill yourself.
God is using your walk with Christ in many lives.
I am praying for you and your ministry.
In our Savior,
Steve
P.S.I love this hymn
If we could see beyond today
As God can see,
If all the clouds should roll away,
The shadows flee;
O'er present grief's we would not fret,
Each sorrow we would soon forget,
For many joys are waiting yet
For you and me.
If we could know beyond today
As God doth know,
Why dearest treasures pass away,
And tears must flow;
And why the darkness leads to light,
Why dreary days will soon grow bright,
Some day life's wrong will be made right,
Faith tells us so.
If we could see, if we could know
We often say,
But God in love a veil doth throw
Across our way.
We cannot see what lies before,
And so we cling to Him the more,
He leads us till this life is o'er,
Trust and obey.
Norman J. Clayton