[UpDownMiddleGround]

One of the reasons I have had a hard time being compliant with my medication is because I wonder if by taking it, does not mean I'm not really trusting in God for healing. When I went off of my medication a few months ago, it was a train wreck. I decided at that point that maybe my healing was going to come through doctors and therapy, but I still had the question.

Today, I had an opportunity to ask my pastor. I gave him a little backstory about my illness and where I have been. I went on to tell him about one Sunday where I heard conflicting information about taking medication. In one service he talked about not being a fool (my words) and being sure to follow your doctor's advice. In another service he upheld a lady with high blood pressure who had decided to pray her way to healing and resist medication. (I'm not sure what other measures she was taking to stay healthy).

His response -- he talked about faith and gave me an example of twins who both had an illness. On decided to pray and trust God. The other decided to accept healing through doctors. He stated that the one who prayed died and the one who took the medication and had surgery lived. He said that it goes back to faith. Sometimes the enemy can trick us into believing that we have the faith enough for healing but our faith may not be strong enough for that healing so we should continue to take the medication until we have built up that faith. He went on to say that if there is anything negative that happens as a result of coming off the medication then we should not do it because that is not coming from God.

I left the conversation more confused than I was going in. Did he say that I don't have enough faith in God for healing? I completely put my trust in Him and I almost ended up in the hospital. Was I supposed to wait it out longer? Wait longer for my healing? How in the world do I show more faith than by quitting everything?

Not trying to get into a religious debate on the forum.
Just confused and expressing myself.
The conversation has totally shifted my mood.
I just should have kept the question to myself.
Didn't expect him to go there.
That is all.

I wish I had not asked. I know my brain. Seeds planted now.

[Daonnachd]

I think that he was saying that if you have a negative experience going off the meds, that it's the product of the enemy and that staying on meds shows faith as well as praying.

[Unrigged64072835]

I think he was saying that faith is not exclusive of taking care of yourself. Like with the twins; the one who died had faith in God but not faith in God's help (with medicine and surgery, like the other twin.) God's help can come from people like psychiatrists and therapists, and from things like medication. You can still have faith in God and take care of your mental illness.

[TishaBuv]

What enemy? Who's the enemy? Is he talking about the devil?

It sounds like he said keep having strong faith, but keep taking your meds if they help you.

[Daonnachd]

Yes, The Devil. Sorry, was I being too general?

Fharriage said what I meant, but with more words and more clearly.

[TishaBuv]

Originally Posted by vertigo

Yes, The Devil. Sorry, was I being too general?

Fharriage said what I meant, but with more words and more clearly.

Thanks for clarifying, I just never heard of the devil trying to trick us (tempt us, yes). It's my religious background/ education that made me not understand.

[BipolaRNurse]

Have you thought that perhaps God works through therapists, the scientists who invent medications, and the doctors who prescribe them? I have faith that He is healing me through meds and therapy, and my conscience is clear.

[pirilin]

I don't even know if God said this or not. But it has served me well.
God will help you if you help yourself. Amen.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Originally Posted by Fharraige

I think he was saying that faith is not exclusive of taking care of yourself. Like with the twins; the one who died had faith in God but not faith in God's help (with medicine and surgery, like the other twin.) God's help can come from people like psychiatrists and therapists, and from things like medication. You can still have faith in God and take care of your mental illness.

After my last experience, I concluded that maybe my healing was going to come through my psychiatrist, therapist, medication, etc. I began to second guess it today after the conversation. You make a good point. Thanks for the response.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Originally Posted by TishaBuv

Thanks for clarifying, I just never heard of the devil trying to trick us (tempt us, yes). It's my religious background/ education that made me not understand.

Yes, I was referring to the devil as the enemy. he uses many ways to get us off track from God's plan for us.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Thanks for all of your responses. It was good to have people weigh in who live with the same choices. Your input was very helpful.