You can be sick and be in the will of God.

Hunted by sickness

I have been sick a number of times in my life.  I had kidney stones in my early twenties.  I became very sick at age twenty nine.  This time it was a clinical depression which affected my whole body. I could not sleep, nor eat and I had no sex drive.  My mood was very depressed. We had to go on Food Stamps and Medicaid and our family had to move into the basement of our relatives. Even now I am on medication which has arrested the illness but not cured it.  Mental illness for me has meant many episodes of depression. In my thirties I was hospitalized for electro-convulsive therapy, in my forties I was hospitalized again for ECT and in then later in my forties, I almost died as a result of Lithium toxicity.  With this toxicity came days and weeks of being unable to walk, I could not hold any food down and I was admitted into the hospital for a week.  It took the health care professionals almost a month to diagnose me and get me off the drug that was killing me.

You need to exorcise the demon!

I remember once when I was depressed a woman asked me why I did not try to exorcise the demon of depression.  I said that I did not believe that was possible;  later I responded to biological treatment. I knew that demons don't respond to medication.  Later I saw that same woman in a psychiatric hospital. She was admitted after she tried to harm herself.  Her doctrine affected her life. The devil when he attacks is some time like a serpent in the grass. He uses our incorrect
doctrine against us.

Many Trials

Robyn and I have had our share of trials.  We lost a church after we had spent our savings so that we could minister to it.  I grieved the loss of not being a pastor.  We lost our daughter and unborn grand daughter on September 11, 2001. They were killed by a man on cocaine, marijuana and heroin.  We have had to obey the Scripture to: rejoice in hope, persevere in tribulation and  be ^{beb   be}devoted to prayer, (Romans 12:12).

Job's friends
Some Christians told me that God was not pleased with me and therefore my life was a pile of troubles. Of course that is not true. I have read the book of Job many times and realized that there is nothing new under the sun. Job answered and said, I have heard many such things; sorry comforters are you all (Job 16:1,2).

Walking by faith not by sight

The Bible tells us that  we walk by faith not by sight.  Robyn and I, by the grace of God, have been plodders.  We have found grace in the center of our afflictions.  We know for sure that we are children of God.  Recently, a close friend confided in me that he has cancer and that he hoped he would still have time to do some things for the Lord. But more bad news has come; the cancer is everywhere in his body. No one worthy of being called a friend would asault him with platitudes.

Don't scold the small souled!

If you know someone who is sick or having deep trials, don't try to rebuke them for it.
It only makes them feel worse.  The health, wealth, prosperity gospel is unbiblical and mocks believers.  My friend mentioned above is leaving this world to go to heaven where he will receive his rewards.  Hebrews 6:10 says, For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.
But we have no human way to understand these things.

The Sick Man Left Behind









I am going to  share a portion of the great sermon, The Sick Man Left Behind by the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon. He was no stranger to affliction I will also attach a link to the sermon. Here is the text from which Spurgeon preached. Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20).
Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20).

Spurgeon said, From the fact that Paul left Trophimus sick at Miletum we learn that, IT IS THE WILL OF GOD THAT SOME GOOD MEN SHOULD BE IN ILL HEALTH. Whatever the malady may have been which affected Trophimus, Paul could certainly have healed him if the Divine Spirit had permitted the use of his miraculous powers to that end. He had raised up Eutychus from death and he had given back the use of his limbs to the cripple at Lystra. We feel, therefore, fully assured that had God allowed the Apostle so to use his healing energy, Trophimus would have left his bed and continued his journey to Rome.
 
Holy reasons and ends for why Trophimus must be left sick

 We are not wounded by arrows shot at a venture, but we smart by the determinate counsel of Heaven! An overruling hand is everywhere present, preventing or permitting ill and no one shaft of disease is ever let fly by stealth  If someone must be ill, it was a wise Providence which selected Trophimus,for it was better for him to be ill than Titus, or Tychicus, or Timothy.Not so, however, had the Lord willed. The good fruit-bearing vine must be pruned and Trophimus must suffer—there were ends to be answered by his weakness which could not be compassed by his health. Instantaneous restoration could have been given, but it was withheld under Divine direction. This doctrine leads us away from the

 

This also delivers us from regarding affliction as being always brought upon men by their personal sin.   Many a sickness has been the direct result of intemperance, or some other form of wickedness—but here is a worthy, well approved Brother laid aside and left on the road through a malady for which he is not blamed in any measure. It is too common, nowadays, for men to be of a hard and cruel spirit and ascribe the illnesses, even, of those who are true children of God to some fault in their habits of life. We wonder how they would like to be dealt with in this manner if they were suffering and could wash their hands in innocence in reference to their daily lives?

Lord, he whom you love is sick

In our Lord’s day they told Him, “Lord, he whom You love is sick.” And Solomon, long before that time, wrote, Whom the Lord loves He corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. This was a much better, more humane and more truthful speech than the frozen philosophy of modern times which traces each man’s sickness to his own violation of natural law and, instead of pouring in the balm of consolation, pours out the sulfuric acid of slanderous insinuation! Let the afflicted

examine himself to see if the rod is not sent to correct some secret evil and let him diligently

consider where he may amend—but far be it from us to stand at his bedside like judges or lictors and look upon our friend as an offender as well as a sufferer!  Such brutality may be left to the philosophers, but it would ill become the sons of God!
Please go the link below and scroll down to  the link and then to sermon 1452 for the rest of the story.

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/spurgeon/sermons25.toc.html

If you would like to learn more about trials and difficulties that Robyn and I have experienced,
please read about our book Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It at
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0825421187/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=1464974030&ref=pd_sl_6ooxcpjb36_e

I was pulling out my eye brows and eye lashes

11-4-2012   

                                                                                                                                                        
This blog is a life story from a married woman who has enough courage to share how God helped her cope with her mental illness.  She attends a Healthy Minds, Cami (Christians Afflicted with Mental Illness), Support group.The group is at Rush Creek Bible Church in Byron Center, Michigan. We have written the  material for this group.   Please call us at 616.427-0775 or visit us at  www.heartfeltmin.org   We can help you start one of these needed groups. Go to: If you would like to visit Rush Creek's web site go to http://rushcreekbiblechurch.org/content.cfm?id=338

The Early Years

When thinking about writing about my life for Reflections, I had a hard time deciding where to begin.  Do I begin in my childhood that I keep hidden from everyone, or do I start from when I was first treated for my mental illnesses?  I decided I should give testimony on how God was with me in my early years to turn me into the person I am today.  My elementary years were filled with abuse from non family members and heartache from peers.  I was often ignored and told that no one wanted to play with me.  It was the beginning of my spiral into deep despair and total dependence on my only true friend- Jesus Christ my LORD and Savior.

 

Self injury

 I started pulling out my eyebrows and eyelashes and biting my finger nails to ignore the pain I felt inside.  I would swing on the swings and talk to God begging for someone to play with.  Later in junior high and high school,  I was often bullied and bounced around from one relationship to another.  I had friends but not really good ones. The same girls that I went to school with growing up also went to my church. My first thoughts of suicide began in junior high. They escalated in high school. I was so stressed out that I would make myself sick. It later started to affect my circulatory system.  I had chest pains and was sent to doctors to figure out what was wrong.  I realized that it was from stress. 

Bad relationship

 In my senior year of high school I was in an abusive relationship with a very ungodly man. That is when I started cutting myself to relieve the pain from being bullied and from being abused from a boyfriend. That same month I celebrated graduation and went to Fort Leonardwood, Missouri for basic training in the Army.  Because I had not dealt with the pain in my life, basic training was that much more difficult.  I couldn’t handle the stress well but well enough to graduate from basic training.   Because I was in the National Guard Army Band, I did not need to go to advanced training. That August I went back to my abusive boyfriend and started college. 

Hitting Rock Bottom & Finding God

 In November of that year I broke up with him and started dating my soon to be husband. The following January I hit rock bottom for the first time.  I was an inexperienced driver and new little about the roads away from the Jenison/Hudsonville/Grandville/Wyoming area.  I had no idea where Pine Rest Christian Hospital was.  I told God if He would get me there, I would not commit suicide. By His great grace and a miracle, I landed on their doorstep.  I called my frantic family who had no idea where I was but knew I was upset and told them where I was.  I was diagnosed with Disassociative Identity Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  I was put on anti anxiety medication.  After several hospitalizations, psychiatrists, and therapists spanning over a 20 year period, I have been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

What I have Learned

Today I am working full time while on several different medications and receive regular therapy and psychiatric care. God has placed many people in my life that suffer from mental illnesses or who have family members that do.  I spent 18 years occasionally overdosing on medications and occasionally cutting myself.  I am currently in recovery and have not overdosed or cut myself intentionally for almost two years now.  The Lord has taught me to rely on Him and has brought people into my life that minister to me and that I can minister to. I have an open door policy now that when someone has a crisis in their life and they don’t know who else to talk about it with, they can call me during the night or during the day.  Healthy Minds was His idea. I am just along for the ride.  And what a ride it has been.

The End

Robyn and I have also written a book called Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It is widely read and can be ordered from us.  If would like a copy,the suggested donation is $20.00  You can go to our web site www.heartfeltmin.org . Go to donations and click on $20.00 tab. Your donation includes shipping if you are inside the United States. Please also go to the contact us , form and give your name, email etc.
If you can only afford $13.00 then please send a check to  Heartfelt Counseling Ministries, 4371 Northlake Blvd., Suite 256,  Palm Beach Gardens, FL.33410.
If you want to support us monthly or make an end of the year donation, please contact us.

Thanks so much,
Steve and Robyn Bloem

VOM-USA Prayer Update for  November 2, 2012  : Indonesia--Church Ordered to  Move Source: Church Ordered to Move The Taman Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church (GKI)  in Bogor, West Java, was recently ordered to relocate to a neighborhood three miles from its current location.  The church, which was forced to meet outdoors for years because of Islamic pressure, believes it would  face strong opposition at the new site and has  firmly rejected the order. It has instead called on officials to respect a 2010 Supreme Court ruling  that reinstated the church's building permit.  Under pressure from local Muslims, authorities  have closed nine "illegal" churches in Banda Aceh.  Two weeks ago, the churches' leaders were forced to sign statements agreeing to close their church  buildings. Authorities have warned that they will  continue to monitor these congregations to ensure that church activities are not resumed. Please pray for GKI and other churches in Indonesia as they  struggle to worship God amid severe persecution. Iran--Church Leaders Sentenced to Prison Sources: Mohabat News Luke 22:33 On Oct. 15, an Assemblies of God pastor in Ahwaz,   Iran, and three of the church's ministers were each sentenced to one year in prison after being convicted  of "converting to Christianity, inviting Muslims to  convert, as well as propagating against the Islamic  regime through promoting Evangelic Christianity."  Pastor Farhad Sabokrouh; his wife, Shahnaz Jeizan;  Naser Zamen Dezfuli; and Davoud Alijani received  the maximum penalty for the charges, and they  may appeal the ruling. Pray that God will give peace  and strength to these pastors as well as other  imprisoned Christians still awaiting trial. Tanzania--Christian Guards Protect Imprisoned Teen Source: VOM Contacts Numbers 6:25 A Tanzanian teenager charged with desecrating a  Quran has been blessed with the protection of tw  Christian prison guards. A VOM contact who  visited 17-year-old Eva Abdullah this month said the female Christian guards promised to care for  Eva and help keep her safe. Eva converted from  Islam to Christianity three years ago and was  subsequently disowned by her family. When a  group of radicals couldn't persuade her to deny  her faith in Christ, they falsely accused her of desecrating a Quran. Although many Christian  leaders were afraid to defend her, compassion  attorneys have taken her case. Pray for the  continued protection of Eva and her Christian guards.  Praise God for these two guards, who are a comfort to Eva as she awaits trial, and pray that Eva will continue  to shine the light of Christ.

Remember those who are in bonds

The Apostle Paul said,I persecuted this Way to the death, binding

and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high

priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I

also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus

in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as

prisoners to be punished. "But it happened that as I was on my

way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright
 light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell
 to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul,
why are you persecuting Me?'"And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord
 ?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene,  whom you
  are persecuting. 
 persecute the true disciples of Jesus Christ, they are actually persecuting the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself. It is true that He  
  is the resurrected exalted Christ whose deity cannot be
 diminished and He is also is forever the God/Man and the
 Head of the church. Note the text, I am Jesus whom you
 are persecuting. Could they in any way lay a hand on the
Ascended Christ? Could they smite him with rods as they
once did? The answer is no, but to malign and crush His people
is to by association persecute him.
Persecuted Christian, think about this when the devil roars like
 a Lion and seeks to do away with you.

VOM-USA Prayer Update for October 19, 2012
On Thu. Oct 18 2012 at 03:26 PM Moderator wrote: Philippines--Philippine Government and Rebels
Make a Deal Source: BBC News
The Philippine government reached a peace deal with the
largest Muslim terror group last week, ending 40 years of
conflict between the two groups. The government
conceded another autonomous region in Mindanao
to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
While most Filipinos are Catholics, in the Mindanao
region, Muslims are the majority. The MILF has
long agitated for an independent state, but the
agreement to give Bangasamoro leaders more
political and economic freedom appears to have
pacified them. What is not clear, is how this will
affect Christians in the Mindanao region. Christians
have long been the victims of violence and
land-grabs. Pray for the protection of Christians
in the region, that God will strengthen them in his power.
Picture courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs

 

Iran--Another Christian Convert to Spend Six Years in Evin Prison Sources: VOM Contacts A Christian convert from Islam was sentenced to  six years in prison after he was charged with crimes  against the regime and caught trying to flee the country. Alireza Seyyedian, 37, has been a Christian  since 2006. Last year, authorities found a video  of his baptism in Turkey on his laptop, which had been seized in a raid. In December 2011, he was  charged with crimes against national security and propaganda against the regime. The judge cited his baptism in Turkey as evidence that Alireza was trying  to express dissatisfaction with the regime. He was also accused of hosting a house church and distributing  Bibles to youth. In March, Alireza was caught fleeing  to Turkey, and was brought back to Iran to Evin prison.  He is being held in the section for political prisoners. Pray for Alireza. Ask God to strengthen his faith and give him endurance.Indonesia--Bomb Attacks Revive Church Fears Source: Release International, BBC News, The Jakarta Globe Bomb attacks on Christian targets in the city of Poso have  revived painful memories of religious violence in Central Sulawesi. Explosives were detonated outside a Christian's home just after 8 p.m. on Oct. 9 -- then, about an hour  later, a bomb went off outside Imanuel Church in nearby  Taripa, Pamona Timur. Police said the house targeted  in the first attack was that of Okrifil Mamuaya,  a Christian working for the local government. No one  was injured in the blasts -- but they have alarmed Christians in an area blighted by religious conflict in the past. Groups such as Laskar Jihad have carried out jihad, or holy war, against Christian communities,  particularly in the Moluccas and Central Sulawesi between 1999 and 2002. Pray that Christians in Poso and other parts of Central Sulawesi will know God's peace and love. Thank God that His perfect love drives out fear.Vietnam--VOM Project Pray for tribal Christian training centers operating in Vietnam. The centers provide materials and training  for 400 rural and tribal Christian pastors with the  goal of strengthening house churches in rural areas,                                                            which face more persecution. Please look at our book from Kregel Publications.  It is called Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing.  Mental illness has the effect of making a man a prisoner in his own mind.  Please feel free to go tour web site and go to the contact us form and give me your name, email, etc. and send a check or pay on line $11.00 for the book Broken Minds and $3.00 shipping and handling, a total of fourteen dollars.  Leave your name and email.  I will send you a signed copy for $14.00.  This includes shipping. Please visit us at www.heartfeltmin.org God bless Rev. Steve Bloem Co-founder, director of Heartfelt Counseling Ministries.

ADHD Medication May Improve Driving Performance

This article is by Deborah Brauser, copyright Medscape, 2012

 

 

 

October 16, 2012 (Vienna, Austria) — Effective pharmacotherapy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may help improve driving performance in young people with the disorder — a population that is commonly known to have high rates of automotive crashes and speeding citations — new research suggests.

A study of 61 young adults with ADHD showed that those treated with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for 5 weeks reacted 9% faster to startle events and were 67% less likely to have a collision during a driving simulation than those who received placebo.
"There was an old American advertising saying, 'Don't leave home without it.' And that's the message here," lead author Joseph Biederman, MD, from the Clinical and Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology and Adult ADHD in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, told Medscape Medical News.
"Effective treatment appears to improve driving behaviors," said Dr. Biederman.
The study was presented here at the 25th European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress.

High Accident Rate

Previous research has shown that not only do people with ADHD have a high rate of traffic accidents, but these collisions are often more severe than for the general population, reported Dr. Biederman.
"While stimulant medications have proven efficacy in reducing ADHD symptomatology, there is limited knowledge as to their effects on driving impairment," write the investigators in their poster.

Who took part in the study?

For this study, 75 outpatients with ADHD between the ages of 18 and 26 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either titrated doses of 30 mg to 70 mg lisdexamfetamine dimesylate or matching placebo. A total of 61 of these outpatients completed the study.
A simulated driving program, completed within a simulated automotive environment, was administered twice to all participants at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, once before starting treatment and again 5 to 6 weeks later. During the second visit, 5 surprise events were added to the program. Other measurements included the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Report Scale (AISRS) and the Clinical Global Improvement (CGI) Scale.
       
Public Health Issue

Results showed that the participants who received the active treatment showed significant clinical improvement in their ADHD symptoms, as measured by the AISRS and the CGI.
This group also showed significantly faster reaction/braking times during the simulator's surprise events (P = .02) and a lower likelihood of collisions (odds ratio, .33; P = .048) than the group receiving placebo.
"The reaction time result means that there was a space after stopping that was about 30 to 50 feet longer for those receiving the treatment. In that period of time, you can keep from hitting another car, a pedestrian, etc," explained Dr. Biederman.
       
In the active medication group, 22.6% had a collision after a surprise event vs 46.7% of those in the placebo group.
"This finding has a major public health relevance, considering the high prevalence of ADHD in the population and the increased risk of accidents associated with this disorder," write the investigators.
The simulated surprise events included encounters with a concealed vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, a vehicle unexpectedly backing up, and a cyber dog (twice).
There was no significant association found between improvement in ADHD symptoms and improvement in driving performance.
"In other words, you cannot extrapolate improving in the clinic to how they're going to drive," said Dr. Biederman. "Also, we only measured behaviors when the medication was active. So driving outside the window of medication may mean you're vulnerable to all the things we saw in the placebo patients," he added.

Documented Improvement
"We already know about this topic, but I'm glad it's down in writing," Helena Walleus, a psychiatrist from Uppsala, Sweden, told Medscape Medical News.
Dr. Walleus, who was not involved with this research, also said that this would be a good thing to teach the Swedish authorities who control who can get a driver's license.
"If we can keep our driver's license — that's been a big question for people with ADHD. These authorities were concerned that ADHD drugs would impair driving," she said.
During a discussion with Dr. Walleus after his presentation, Dr. Biederman noted that in the United States, many of these medications "have that ridiculous sticker saying to not use while operating heavy equipment."
"So it's interesting that we are documenting improvement in driving, where you're obviously handling heavy equipment. The problem is just if you drive outside the window of efficacy for the drug."
Please visit our web site.  If you click on CAMI Seminar, you can see our latest which is going to be in Grand Rapids, MI or you can contact us to do one in your area.
http://www.heartfeltmin.org/#!events/c15sx

For our book, please go to http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187

Water helps stress and lose weight

http://health.yahoo.net/articles/nutrition/photos/5-best-reasons-drink-water#0

Water, why drink it.’

It may surprise you but I believe that two of the most important things that I have done since I was twenty nine years are doing anaerobic exercise and drinking water. I am on four major medications for bipolar 2 disorder.  Each medication has an important part in keeping me healthy. 

In 1985, I was prescribed by psychiatrists drugs that were classified as Tricylic medications.  These were effective for depression but the side effects were terrible, especially dry mouth, urinary tract pain and an overall feeling of being dried out.  These side effects compelled me to drink large volumes of water. Drinking water, at least eight cups a day has also helped me have chronic kidney stones.  I am still drink water and lots of it.  If I don't my I actually began to have very dry lips, indigestion, etc. I will have urinary tract pain also if I don't drink enough water.

It makes sense doesn't it? God created water and lots of it. It is not a drug and it is necessary to living.  So here is an article that I recently read.Of all the food and beverage choices you face every day, what's calorie-free, virtually cost-free, and, oh yes, essential to keeping you alive? Plain ol' water. But those aren't the only reasons to drink it.

1."Water drives basic body performance," says Beth Reardon, director of nutrition for Duke Integrative Medicine, part of the Duke University Health System. "All of the systems in the body require water for proper functioning, and so do 90 percent of all chemical reactions in the body."

2. It will help you de-stress

Why: Being sure to sip water throughout a stressful day can soothe stress-induced symptoms as diverse as headaches, tense muscles, fuzzy thinking, a pounding heart, and low energy. That's because stress taxes all your basic body systems -- and when you're dehydrated, the effects are magnified.  Given that more than half your body weight is water, Reardon says, "just a 2-percent reduction in hydration has a dramatic impact on energy levels and cognitive function." And dehydration further raises levels of cortisol -- the "stress hormone." Water won't wash your stressors away. But it can provide you with more energy, ease tension, slow breathing, and reduce the strain on your heart.

Water-drinking tip: "Eight by eight -- eight 8-ounce glasses a day -- is a good general rule of thumb," Reardon says, "but it's a myth that's the magic amount for everyone, because there are so many variables." The "right" amount for you depends on factors including your age, your activity level, your health level, medications you're taking, and the weather. So how do you know if you're drinking enough? Follow your thirst, and know that you're on the right track if you have straw-colored urine, Reardon says.

 3.  You'll lose weight

  Why? In a 2010 study of adults aged 55 to 75, drinking two 8-ounce glasses of water before meals was associated with almost four pounds more weight loss in 12 weeks than in a control group who ate a similar diet but didn't have the pre-meal H20. Participants drank an average of 1.5 cups of water a day before the study. In part, the Virginia Tech researchers say, water is filling, so you feel fuller and eat less. An earlier study found those who drink water before meals consume an average of 75 fewer calories per meal. (Make that twice a day over a year, and that could add up to 14 pounds!) The Virginia Tech scientists also believe the water drinkers began swapping this zero-calorie beverage for sodas and other caloric beverages.What's more, when you're well hydrated, your body is working closer to maximum efficiency -- enhancing aspects of weight loss, like digestion and muscle function, when you exercise.

Water-drinking tip: For variety's sake, try flavoring your water. Drop some fruit into a pitcher and let it sit a few minutes -- lemons, oranges, watermelon, and berries all work well. Or let an herbal or flavored green tea bag steep in unheated water to accent the taste

4. You'll be less apt to get sick

Why: Hydration keeps your mucus membranes in top working order -- they're gatekeepers to the natural defense system that helps keep out germs such as cold and flu viruses. When these tissues dry out, germs can more easily penetrate to the nasopharynx, where the nasal passages and mouth meet. And if you catch a bug anyway, the severity of your illness is more likely to be lower if you've been drinking a lot of water. Water is an especially smart health move when you're traveling. Most commercial planes fly at elevations between 30,000 and 35,000 feet, where humidity is 10 percent or lower. That means you're breathing dry air in a tight space filled with germs from dozens of people. Water keeps your mucus membranes moist -- and your defenses high -- even in that challenging situation.

Water-drinking tip: Bring an empty water bottle with you to the airport that you can fill for free once you're past security. Or buy the biggest bottle you can right before you board, and aim to finish it by flight's end. Don't hesitate to ask the flight attendant for refills while you're in the air.

 5. You'll be more comfortable

Why: It doesn't matter if the water you sip is hot or ice-cold. The act of drinking it will keep you warmer on a cold day -- and cool you off on a hot one.  "Your internal thermostat works better when you're well hydrated," Duke Nutritionist Beth Reardon says. "Water helps regulate body temperature." The body's temperature-regulating system, governed by the hypothalamus in the brain, is constantly picking up information that allows it to make adjustments to maintain a fairly steady core temperature. Hot sun? You'll sweat to cool down. Hatless in snow? The hypothalamus will know you're losing heat through your head and work to produce extra energy, such as shivering.

But these mechanisms work less well if you're dehydrated – and dehydration is a common risk for people of all ages, in winter as well as summer. In cold weather, for example, you lose water vapor through your breath. And many people tend to drink less water in cold weather because they don't think they need it as much as on hot, sunny days.

Water-drinking tip: Start by swapping out one soda, cup of coffee, or high-calorie hot chocolate a day with an equal amount of water. Carry a bottle of water with you all day long as a visual reminder to pause and sip. Sip more when you're physically active, whether in water, snow, or any weather condition.

6. It will help regulate your blood pressure

Why: In 2010, the American Red Cross discovered that when blood donors were given 16 ounces of water to drink before giving blood, there was a 20 percent drop in fainting after the procedure. That was an important finding for them, given that many of those who faint then chalk blood donation up as a bad experience and never return to give again.

It's not entirely clear what mechanism is at work. But the Red Cross was inspired to conduct a study after researchers at Vanderbilt University noticed that drinking water activated the parasympathetic nervous system -- related to the "fight or flight" system that makes you more alert, elevates blood pressure momentarily, and boosts energy. Fainting after donating blood is often connected to a drop in blood pressure, and they theorized that the water would counter that effect.

(Not drinking enough water on a regular basis can also raise blood pressure. That's because dehydration causes blood vessels to constrict as the body strives to conserve water that it loses through perspiration, urination, and breathing. When blood vessels constrict, however, the heart pumps harder, bringing blood pressure up.)

Water-drinking tip: Start your day with a glass of water for a simple energy boost that remedies any dehydration that may have occurred overnight. Keep a filled glass or bottle on your nightstand or an empty one next to the bathroom sink.

For our book, Broken Minds, Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It

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

For our seminar, please go to http://www.heartfeltmin.org/#!events/c15sx

The End

 

Elijah a man of depression and victory

Key verse - James 5:17

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.(NASB).




Elijah suffered from depression, yet he was held in high esteem by the LORD God. The above Scripture in James 5:17 makes it clear that Elijah was able to move the hand of Jehovah by prayer alone (I Kings 18:36-38).  He is commended for fervent, effectual prayer.  In other words, his prayers acquired results.  It rained after a drought of three and one half years.

Elijah’s Faith

The key to Elijah’s power was not  found in his human nature.  It was faith in the LORD God of Israel.  James tells us that Elijah was just like you and me. Elijah’s make up and his personality were just like any other human being.

Have you ever felt like God has a bad list and you’re on it?

James is a person who gets right to the point.  He does not want his suffering hearers to think that they are on God’s bad list.  He does not want them to think that Elijah's mercurial temperament put him on the super hero list of Old Testament prophets.  No way!  He is a man like they are.  He has the same emotional experiences as any man or woman that has ever been on the face of the earth.

God’s prophet -- running from a queen!

 James’ readers knew the Old Testament. They were familiar with the story that did not hide any of Elijah’s weaknesses.  James’ readers recognized that Elijah had been depressed enough to ask the LORD that he would die.  They were familiar with the Old Testament narrative when Elijah ran from Jezebel out of fear for his own life.  The man who had conquered and killed Baal’s prophets was now terrified of a queen. 

 God’s Prophet was teachable

However, they would also know that Elijah was a teachable prophet.  He was a man of God, warts and all. God had taught Elijah that the LORD often chooses not to reveal Himself through dramatic revivals; and that Elijah should not despise the day of small things.  James’ readers knew that God had led him to Sinai, the Mount of God, to show Elijah that the LORD, the mighty God of Israel was not in the fire, or the earthquake or the wind but revealed Himself to Elijah by a still small voice.

God will rescue you!

You may be in a deep pit of depression; you may be out of touch with reality. 

Nevertheless, God knows where you are and knows how to rescue you.  He may prolong the trial but His Omniscient timing is always right (See Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

Sometimes the symptoms of mental illness will render you from actually praying or perhaps you can only pray short desperation prayers.  T

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8: 26, 27:

You should think about how the once depressed Elijah had the honor of being one of the two men who God actually snatched from the wicked earth without dying and took to heaven.

The Sentence of Death

I have often experienced what the apostle called, "the sentence of death."  He talks
about it in  2 Corinthians 1:8-11:For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively , beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us,you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.  

Paul was at the end of his rope.  The Corinthians Scripture can be translated, we were on death row.   If God did not intervene Elijah would die. He despaired of life.  He saw no way out of his extremely stressful predicament.  He was shut up to being delivered from his heavy burden by his God and no one else.
It is like the hymn writer Don Moen wrote.

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength
For each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way

To learn more about our seminar which talks about Mind Mood and Faith please visit our website

 http://www.heartfeltmin.org/#!events/c15sx
For more information on our book, please visit,
http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Minds-Healing-Youre-Losing/dp/0825421187