Comfort for Persons Who Suffer from a Mental Illness

   Comfort for persons who have a mental illness!

                                By

                Anthony Joseph Hopkins

        This is an essay that pertains to comfort for persons who suffer from a mental illness.  I would like to say that I am a person, who suffers from a mental illness.  However, I am using spirituality as a means of coping with my mental illness.  First, I want to say that I suffer from schizoid affective disorder.  I have been suffering from a mental illness for almost 22 years now.

        Next, I hear voices that are not the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.  I have been hearing voices since November 5, 2009.  It is not very easy coping with a mental illness.  I do understand that spirituality is a universal truth, yet a highly individual journey.  When we begin an inward journey of self-discovery, we are led back into the community and care for others.

        Further, according to Hebrews 13:5 says: God has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.  I really do believe it when God said, I will never leave you or forsake you.  His son Jesus Christ is my personal Savior.  I am very happy to have all of my sins forgiven.  I was diagnosed with a mental illness on July 15, 1997.

 I was living in Charlotte, NC at the time.  My mother and siblings does not have a mental illness.  I am the only one out of the whole family that suffers from a mental illness.  As a person with a mental illness, I am able to use my faith and spirituality as a source of healing and support.  At least; for me personally, I have discovered that my spirituality has given me a renewed sense of vision, hope, and possibilities for the future.

Moreover, I am a member of Fort McKinley United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio.  I have been a member of Fort McKinley United Methodist Church for the past 7 years.  I am very happy to learn brand new coping strategies when it comes to my mental illness.  For Example, I listen to church sermons online, meditate every single day, pray, and read the Bible.  I would like to say that I am not perfect, but I strive for spiritual progress.

Also, I have come a very long way in my personal life.  I feel a whole lot better from the inside out.  I have to learn that I am powerless over people, places, and things.  I have been clean and sober for 29 years now.  I feel good about my progress that I have made in my personal life.

In Addition, I want to say that my favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 32:27.  It states as follows: Behold I am the Lord the God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for me? 

        I really like this Bible verse because it gives me a sense of confidence in myself.  Therefore, if it is not hard for God, then why am I making things hard for myself?  I will admit that my student loan debt is getting higher by the day.  The interest on my student loan is compounded daily.  It is a shame that my student loan is getting the best of me at the moment.

        Finally, I would like to say that God is doing for me more than I am doing for myself.  I really need all of your prayers right now.  My medications is causing me to gain too much weight right now.  For Instance, I weigh 310 pounds right now.  I am taking a total of 8 psychotropic medications per day for my mental illness.  I am also taking another 15 prescription medications per day for other health problems that I am suffering from right now.  Please continue to pray for me and my family members.  I love all of you very much.  God loves you and so do I.