Are you at the end of your rope because of depression, panic disorder, bipolar, etc.? I have been there!

Copyright 2017, Steve Bloem

Depression and mental illness are "brain storms." The name came from J.Styron in his book, Darkness Visible, a Memoir of Madness.




As I look back on my life (I am sixty-two years old), I am amazed that I am still alive! In my early days, (when I was just twenty-nine), the intensity of my depression was horrible. You may say, "Oh,depression does not seem to be so bad." This tells me you have never experienced it. I am not talking about a disappointment you may have had or even spiritual depression.

If you consented to an injection which would make you depressed, you would know some of the horror and debilitating effects of this mental torture. The pain is beyond description, the black hole has no bottom. Proverbs 18:14 says, "The spirit of a man can sustain his sickness but a wounded  spirit who can bear?"

The detachment from everyone that I met when I was in a depressive episode was real. The bone-crushing anxiety and surging waves of sorrow that break over the depressed person's head are not a sign of failure but rather a harbinger of usefulness. While in a depressive episode, suicide was just a step away. But God rescued me and He can rescue you from the jaws of death. Whether or not you realize this, having a mental illness is not time wasted. As a child of God,  He will use it to make you be conformed to the image of Christ  and a better woman or man.  The order of the day is persevere in tribulation.This does not mean will you not seek  medical interventions. God has enabled men and women the knowledge and training to discover remedies for many diseases; mental illnesses are among those.

 One Scripture that really was a help to me;
"You made men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance"  (Psalm 66:12, NASB).

Here are words of a believer in Christ, who suffered greatly. His admonition was very helpful for me as I determined by God's grace to "fight the good fight of faith!"

"In fierce storms," said an old seaman, "we must do one thing; there is only one way, we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there." Christian, this is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you; and then you can do but one thing; there is only one way. Reason cannot help you, past experiences give you no light, even prayer seems to fetch no consolation. Only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may--winds, waves, cross-seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers--no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm, and hold fast your confidence in God's faithfulness, His covenant engagement, and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. --Richard Fuller

 

End of the Year Donation

Greetings!   It is time for an end-of-the-year donor reminder. In the past we have received about fifty percent of our yearly donations in the months of November and December.  

Thanks to our supporters, we provided over 260 hours of free counseling last year plus discounted rates for 75% of our clients.  If you suffer from bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive/compulsive disorder, schizophrenia or depression, you are not alone.  These worldwide afflictions are a result of the fall of man.

 Mental Illness in the United States affects one in every four people. Treating mental illness is expensive.  Many counselors charge from one hundred to one hundred fifty dollars an hour for counseling. Most of our clients, pay about zero to  thirty dollars an hour for Biblical and clinical counseling.  We counsel people from all over the world.  Because of your gifts, counseling scholarships have been set up and lives have been saved..

 We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit- agency registered as a religious charity with the IRS. If you give to Heartfelt and are part of the U.S.A. or U.S. territories  your donations are tax deductible.  In our twelve years of existence, we have never turned anyone away because of there inability to pay for our services. This is true, whether it is counseling, seminars or  the hosting of support groups.

Robyn and I serve a loving, compassionate Father and share His love for the poor and those who are in need.

Heartfelt Counseling Ministries serves as an international  agency.

If you live in other countries, you are usually able to support us, buy books from us or pay  for counseling on our website.  This is because we use PayPal for financial purposes.

I hope you can give a gift of any kind this year..  You can donate by check or go online; either way, if you go to our website, you will find our mailing address or the donate now button. We thank you in advance as you help us help others! http://heartfeltmin.org/join-us.html  

https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

Thanks and Merry Christmas! 
Steve and Robyn