My faith was sorely tested after my breakdown.
And for many years I struggled with my beliefs,

Faith, is a supernatural gift..ya got it , or ya don't.

To rekindle my faith, I started reading my Bible in small bits daily.
Now I find that my faith has grown and I feel secure in my knowledge .

I know I still have a mental illness, but am assured by scripture, that God will be with me through it all

I need my God... I can't imagine life without faith... I think it would be a very hard life at least for me
I think trying to read the mind of God is something that no one can do and trying will just frustrate you... Life can be really hard at times there's no doubt about it... We weren't promised an easy time just that he would always be with us and see us through
What ever you decide I hope you find some peace... Big hug

In the mid 90s when I was hit with psychosis, God (Jesus) spoke to me and told me to do terrible things. Like walk out of my hospital room naked. I didn't understand why God would ask me to do such a thing, but I didn't argue. Prior to that I believed in God. Afterwards not so much. It was a terrifying journey back to reality. One that I felt so utterly alone and abandoned in. There is no God. God wouldn't allow us to be ill. Where's the mercy??? Eh, what a bunch of hogwash.

I have a different perspective. I figure we are hard-wired to believe in something bigger than us or why else is it in our brains when we are psychotic. If such a thing as God didn't exist than why all the examples of MI people having encounters. I felt a closeness to God like I never felt during that time and I did miss it when my meds kicked in but it made my faith even stronger bc he protected me when I did some things that were very dangerous. Also the bible says God is close to the brokenhearted.

I see why you are upset with science but imo science doesn't have all the answers sometimes too. HUGS!!

Our belief comes from faith rather than science. Science is only people and they certainly have not figured everything out. It is not meant for know all the answers. That is why we call it faith - we believe what can not be seen or proven. Have you ever seen the wind?

You say you are not happy being atheist. My mom had a belief that you would never find happiness as long as you deny the voice of God. God is still speaking to you, Krystal, or this would not be so much on your mind.

The times when I could hear God speak to me were times when I was in great pain (not psychosis) or when a loved one is in pain. I even hear that voice with some of you guys here on DS. If I wake up with one of you on my mind and you stay there, I know you are in trouble. I believe God lays your burden on my heart so I can make contact and let you know you are not alone. God is working through me.

You just have to be still and listen, Krystal. You will feel/hear God's voice again. I'm saying a prayer for you sweetie. Praying you find your way and happiness with it. Hugs.

Such a personal thing. It's when individuals use their personal belief systems (of faith or no faith) to argue against the others that stirs up a lot of unsettling feelings. That unsettling feeling is not nerve-wracking and I so get that. The argument of Who Is Right is actually one of the most frightening things about human beings, I feel.

Using mindfulness has really brought me to a different place of simply practicing kindness. And through kindness it is how I believe God works through people to help bring us and others to a place of peace. A friend of mine brought me back one of those souvenir Christ the Redeemer statue from Rio de Janeiro just as I received some tough news about something difficult I am currently going through, and I look at that gift every morning for strength. I don't have to explain it to anyone or talk about it or argue about it with anyone or start quoting Bible verses to everyone around me or get all preachy, I just find my inner peace and go about my day as best as I can and as kindly as I can.

Anyway, I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I have been there, too, and while there are no easy answers, I do believe it is a lifelong journey. I am surrounded by atheists and I just know in my heart that doesn't work for me. I thought about adopting pure science to move me through life, but my sensibilities require something different. Big hugs to you.

**IS nerve-wracking

I'm with Sun on this. I can't imagine the person I'd be if I didn't have God in my life. My faith, my beliefs have stopped me from doing a lot of very stupid things, it has helped me to feel less alone in the darkest times and it has assured me that someone is looking out for me. Despite that I still feel guilty at times when I feel like I've let him down because of the things I do or don't do. A lot of the ways I deal with my issues aren't things He encourages and I sometimes feel like I've failed Him but then I remember that He knows and he Forgives and He loves unconditionally. So yeah, my spirituality has helped and it does make me happier.

I'm with dancingd on this one. I read my bible a little each day and I pray and I still have faith. I know that when doubts pop up in my mind that is just satan trying to take away my life. Even with bipolar, God has never forsaken me or left me to endure it alone, even when I can't see it sometimes. I can feel his presence and I know He is there. I know everyone is different and I respect each person's beliefs. Just don't give up completely.....science doesn't know everything...and part of having faith is being tested daily. Just my opinion. :)

I felt that way for many years. A few years ago it became clear how God had gotten me out of bad situations...I saw it for the first time.
So now we're back to being friends. It's all about Faith. Just because you don't believe in Him doesn't mean He's not there! I trust Him now and my life is better because of it. Sure we have bad times and problems and I don't know why we have to go through it, but we do. Perhaps He's preparing us for something big in another life.

I don't know what I would do without God in my life. He has helped me through so much and He has saved my life more than once.

He never promises us a trouble free life, but does promise He won't leave us or forsake us, ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfGDvDGE7zk

- Edwin Hawkins Singers

Krystal,

This is long too, but I tried to format it to be easy to read...

IMHO...

Science is knowledge
gained from repeatable experiments
that prove this or that.
It can only work with
things that are measurable,
and therefore finite.

God is infinite
and therefore IMmeasurable.
Science is blind to God.
It "has not the eyes to see".

You can have faith that your proof will work
but you cannot prove your faith is "true".
That's why it's called Faith
and not science.

Faith is when you believe it is true
DESPITE any proof.
About 85% of the human beings on Earth
believe in a power greater than themselves
with no objective evidence at all.
We just believe.

I don't believe Faith is a gift.
I believe it is a choice.

A phrase that made all the difference for me was
"God, as we understood him/her."

I couldn't accept the judging, punishing God of the Bible (no offense, that's just how it seems to me)
so I made my own understanding of God
that synced with what I already knew in my heart to be true.

There is no "Right" way to God.
God excludes nothing.
God Is All.
So have faith in the way that comforts you.
It doesn't have to be "This, or nothing!"
It is YOUR faith, no one else's.
Make it fit you.

It seems to me that you know where to go with this.
You said the "Voice of God" told you "You must have faith."
DESPITE your current crisis of the Spirit.

Did you believe it really was God at the time?
Then why can't that be your private reality
(by which I mean "faith")?

Of course doctors and other men and women of science
will attribute it to something else,
but SCIENCE IS BLIND TO GOD.


Just MHO,

Jack

I understand all of you that get comfort from faith. I just don't have it. I am an agnostic. I feel like you have to live with your present conditions and change them if you can. I do wish I had faith, but I don't. I've gone to churches, but it doesn't help. I just don't believe. Sorry that's just me. I'm happy for all of you that do have faith though.

I believe and it does help:)