Question of the Week: Faith and Healing

Merely Me Living With It I am a published writer who suffers from depression and MS I have suffered from depression for as long as I can remember and I... Send Message Subscribe: Merely Me

Thursday, October 15, 2009
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Hello everyone! Today we are going to do something a little different but exciting. I am not going to ask you a question but rather, I am going to ask you to do the asking of questions. And here is what we have in mind: There is a special section of The Washington Post&n...

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What is Faith and is it based on the bible?
jpw2008
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 05:36 PM

HI

people view faith as spiritual.

My question is does it have depth, does it change lives.

If a person has real faith it should change there whole life and make them a better person

It should make it a stronger person.

Is the definition based on Hebrew 11:1?

It is more than acknowledging God and Jesus.

I know myself I don't have enough faith most of my life I was credulous

I just accept things,I also know thats why i got stepped on

People who have faith are the strongest people I know

As for healing, Faith doesn't heal anybody on its own

If that was the case Those ones with faith would all be well

Jon

re: What is Faith and is it based on the bible?
Merely Me
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 05:41 PM

These are good questions Jon...and comments. I will pass them along!

Thank you!

Faith
Smomdukes
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 05:49 PM

As for me without it there would be no need to exist. I have to have faith that things will get better no matter how hard it may be at times, I have to have faith that there is a silver lining to this cloud that we call life, and you know what, it is. Sometimes my way gets rough and very hard, but that is what we call life. I have faith that I am going to wake up tomorrow, I have faith that I will be able to take in my next breath of air to live, I have faith that my next step no matter how unstable that it may be due to MS, I still am able to take it. I have faith to know that one day they will find something be it natural or whatever it is going to take care of this depression and MS. Good things come to those who wait. We have to be patient, the race is not given to the swift but to those who endure to the end. I have read that if you have the faith of a mustard see, you will be able to move mountains, for those who believe, and I believe. That is what has gotton me thus far. Much love to everyone. sherry/smomdukes

re: Faith
Merely Me
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 05:54 PM

So good to see you Sherry!

It sounds like your faith has really helped you tremendously. Was wondering if you have any questions for the faith bloggers? Let me know!

Why continue to have faith?
tinantaz2
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 08:16 PM

I seem to have lost faith and quit praying because no prayers are answered for me. I only wish for simple things. For example love and a job. I'm sure there are lots of people out there wanting the same thing. Nothing seems to progress, then you die or it's too late. Then what?

re: Why continue to have faith?
Jeanne
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 02:30 AM

I think one of the biggest strength of organized faith is in the sense of community people get. There's comfort in being with people that have the same beliefs and feelings you have, another sort of therapy I guess.

Faith and Healing
Ricovring
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 09:16 PM

Faith is believing: that a letter you drop in the mail will get where it's going.

                        that an act by a loving God 2000 years ago balanced the scale.

                        that all the agony we suffer depressed doesn't affect our destinies.

                        that our energy bill will get paid.

                        that there is enough time to find a cure for mental illnesses.

                        that God is keeping score, and sees your pain.

                        that somewhere between your ears an idea worth having exists.

                        that order has more value than chaos.

                        that languages communicate what you would like someone to know.

                        that optimism brings more joy than pessimism.

                        that love matters.

                        that I am whole even though I am ill.

          How can a doctor measure pain? What measures will you use to say when a depressed person is no longer depressed? Since Christ experienced all the weight of all the sins of all mankind, how depressed was he? Since illness is not necessarily related to sin, how can faith help? Studies have shown that prayer does help heal people, but not all the time-why?

A question
psychoward1
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10:01 PM

I only believe in logic. What is put before me is real. I dont exagerate it to make it a question of faith or mythology.

My question is why someone would create a hypothetical reasoning called faith or religion?

Pat

Wishful Thinking
tinantaz2
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:31 PM

I wish that I had as strong a belief as Billy Graham or Joyce Myers. They can overcome anything that comes their way and teach/preach to others only good in the ways of our evil world. That is not religion, it's old fashioned strength and love; understood by all humankind.

faith can help
janet
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 12:34 AM

faith can help if i'm not isolating myself from everything good & punishing myself,i can draw strength if i feel worthy enough or well enough to draw towards the positive.sometimes prayer & the love of a caring church family make a world of difference.it is difficult for me to keep a positive attitude.

re: faith can help
rose martin
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 06:13 AM

Dear MM and all, If faith was easy, it wouldnt be faith. Faith is a test of perseverance, trust, patience in suffering, that all will be well, that God hears every prayer [even though not always answered in the way we'd like] if we have faith in our kids [ I dont have any] but we just have faith that they ll come through their disabilities, their mental anguish, the Drug Culture, the instant sex culture theyre bombared with in the media, Faith is believing through the odds, that our loved ones wont cheat, even though they maybe getting the chance to daily in their work place etc., its the faith that our kids will grow up to be wise and its knowing that our Depression / Anxiety/ Phobias all this anguish and suffering isnt in vain. Ive thought about this alot. I think that if we had no physical health issues, no emotional health issues, we would be ptetty smug people and wouldnt have the empathy we have.

My question MM would be what percentage of Psychiatrists actually feel that they are dealing with the whole person ie Spiritually, emotionally, when treating Depression. Unfortunately it has been my experience that alot of Psychiatrists and therapists, dont believe in an after life and whilst not actually saying it, dismiss the spiritual aspect/dimension of the human suffering they encounter daily. Concentrating instead, just on the actual disorder in the #brain ie lack of Serotonin/Noradrenaline/Dopamine and high levels of Cortisol and they medicate the above with Chemicals to regulate the transmission of these neuro transmittors. Also Sedatives to regulate the Anxiety and stress caused by the high Cortisol levels. CBT on the other hand goes a little further in so much as it captures and questions the thought before it can have that negative effect on the brain chemistry. Plse note Im not discounting DNA and propensity towards Depession.

What am I trying to say? Well I believe true recovery from Depression and anxiety comes from looking at our belief systems, the Ego, Our Vanity, our Pride, our desparate need to 'fit in' not wanting to be the oversensitive, tuned in , creative, caring, shy people that many of us are. Afraid to be ourselves we put on layers of pretence. This has a price in anxiety. Fear - the fear of natural things [thats healthy] but fear of being taken advantage of, of others seeing our fear, our timidity, our open heartedness, so we spurn intimacy and what we want is what we also fear. We live empy shallow lives and put on an act to be accepted and not to get walked on. Its a v high price. Were afraid to be ourselves coz we wont be loved if someone gets to really know us, so we have a ghosty confidence. Its just that when Ive spoken about Spiritual growth, and being in the Public system, I can see the psychiatrist get impatient so i say , you dont believe in a higher power? a separate need for a spiritual clean out of hate, unforgiveness etc and they sort of remain silent. We have a fantastic Prof of Psychiatry here in Ireland, Corry. He like some of the great psychiatrists,believes the spirit, soul, forgiveness etc all have a great bearing on Mental health and relief of Depression. That it cant be treated solely with Chemicals to sort out Brain Chemistry. He includes Schizophenia in that too.

Again - I am incapable of writing a short post. sorry this is so long.

My Questions
Merely Me
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 09:06 AM

I definitely have some questions of my own.

1. I have heard some people say that they loathe the statement that "God only gives you what you can handle." I have to say that I am not fond of this statement myself as there are people who feel that they may not be able to "handle" what is currently going on in their life. And then they feel unworthy of God. But for others this statement brings comfort. Can you tell us from your perspective, is such a statement a part of faith?

2. I have heard that prayer can help people who have a physical or mental illness. My question is, "What is prayer exactly?" Can one meditate and gain the same healing from this?

3. How do you know if you are on the right spiritual path? Does God give you signs? Or is there constant doubt?

4. What role does suffering play in faith and spirituality? Suffering seems a central part of any religion. As physical flesh and blood beings are we expected to suffer?

5. Some people say that if you have a connection with God that you will be happy. Does a belief in God automatically ensure happiness?

I have tons more but I am hoping others will keep adding their thoughts and questions!

Faith
Smomdukes
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 11:38 AM

  
Faith,

Hi Merely, glad to see you also. I have no questions for the bloggers on Faith; I must say I am good on that. For me and I speak for me alone, Faith is the substance of things hoped for. I hope that one day there will be peace in our land, no more depression, MS, or at least a cure for these illnesses, and other diseases that plague our land, the evidence of things not seen, that one day we will truly love one another no matter where we come from, a world that cares, something that you cannot see only feel. I have not lost faith in the human race, there are still good people out there. Now they may be few and far between, but they are out there. I look at my dad, he is 77 years old and he is truly country. When I am riding in the car with him, he waves to everyone he passes by, and hopes, or at is ages he just takes for granted that they are going to wave back. Now that is Faith, or just crazy. I asked him one day, “Daddy, how do you know if those people speak back to you? He looked at me and said, child how do you know if they don’t?

Faith?

Sherry/smomdukes

Faith
Judy
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 04:05 PM

I have a question. Do you see any difference in the health of people who belong to organized religions/churches compared to those who say they are spiritual but don't belong to a particular church? I'm just wondering how important it is to be a member of a church community vs. "doing your own thing," so to speak.

I read an article recently that claimed there are more people who say they are spiritual and don't belong to any church than those who say they do belong to a church. I'm wondering if it's a sign that more people are becoming disillusioned with organized religion and, if so, why.

re: Faith
Anon
Monday, October 19, 2009 at 09:25 PM

Judy,

You have asked an EXCELLENT question regarding health and being part of an organized community (church).

I was raised in a Christian household. My father came from a Methodist background; my mother from an Assembly of God background. They researched theologies and found a compromise with the Church of Nazarene where my foundations were built. Due to circumstances which were more musicial than spiritual we, as a family, began attending and later joined a Southern Baptist church where my brother's foundation was built.

Now, I am a member of no church and do not regularly attend services any unless it is to "work." I fall under the category of spiritual, but not religious (as in actively participating in religious ceremony). In my heart-of-hearts, my faith contradicts my strict religious upbringing. I cannot believe that the God I believe in would NOT have reached out to the many peoples of the world in different ways which spoke to their heart-of-hearts. Therefore I am living outside the doctrine of my upbringing to adhere to my FAITH.

I have no question for the bloggers, but just wanted to share this with you Judy. Thanks for your question.

re: re: Faith
Judy
Monday, October 19, 2009 at 09:48 PM

Thank you for your response. My background as far as religion goes was similar to yours, only I was raised Catholic. I was even in a convent. There just came a point where I couldn't swallow everything any more because it didn't speak to me. Women were second class citizens, good enough to do all the work that needed doing, but not good enough to be priests or even deacons. Plus, it seemed to be all about money, all of the time. One-third of my church was supporting the rest, yet we were the ones that were called on all the time for more. I can't say I've missed it, but I have to say that I feel more spiritual now than I ever did when I was practicing my religion.

I appreciate your thoughts!

Okay
Paul
Friday, October 16, 2009 at 05:19 PM

I will ask a question that has troubled me for decades, has made me leave organized religion, has made me doubt God's intelligence.

Why does does God allow children to suffer?

Why doe God let children be born with painful afflictions? Why does he allow children to suffer, to be tortured, and horribly abused? Why does he not protect those who have no defense, other than his love?

I once was told: but they don't know what normal is, to them suffering is normal. If I could say a bad word here, I would say it about such stupidity.

Why does he fail them? Everything has a purpose, I was taught, He has a reason. I say, there is no reason. If he is all powerful, surely he can find a way to make his point other than through the pain and suffering of these defenseless little ones.

Not the type of question you are looking for, I suppose, but it is the question I would ask God himself. It is just not necessary.

re: Okay
rose martin
Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 06:35 AM

Dear Merely Me, and all,

Prayer doesnt have to be organised, its a simple conversation with God, who I believe, created us. I speak to God all the time, in the mornings esp with the awful withdrawals, I say 'god, im trembling, help me get out of this bed' I speak to God in my frail flawed human way from my human thinking perspective as my human Earth mind cant comprehend the vastness/greatness of his love so I have to think of God as a he, a person who loves us and who died for us on the Cross.

Paul - I get where youre coming from. In the bigger picture of Eternity, this life is only a speck, a wait at a Train Station. God gave us Freewill. To abuse, to love, to kill, to be kind. This is a trial, a waiting place, not an eternity.

Jesus on earth never refused to heal anyone - he even cried alongside dreadful suffering when he encountered it, and healed it.    Child abuse and illness is not the work of God. I believe if we didnt have dreadful Evil we wouldnt understand the polarity of Goodness. Abuse isnt an alien phenomena to me. I get very angry at all the physical and sexual clerical/institutional abuse that happened in my Country [Ireland] and how the Clergy [on a v high level] spent great sums of money to Lawyers to cover it up, to try and silence the abused. this is a great Evil. I believe God is just as hurt and wounded over this as I am. I believe he will take care of that - 'revenge is mine sath the Lord'

Finally, are people who belong to a Religious community and who pray and believe in the afterlife more likely to recover from depression?

Finally nothing to do with question in hand - MM i think you used this prayer before, it really does help me, its used in addiction programmes aa,NA etc

God, Grant me the Serentiy,   To Accept the things I cannot change.

Courage to change the things I can change.

And the Wisdom   to Know the difference.

healing and faith
Anonymous
Monday, October 19, 2009 at 07:51 AM

The question of how one has faith has always perplexed me. It seems you either do, or you don't. As a child, I was raised in a Christian family, and we attended a Christian (Baptist) church. Of course I was therefore raised on the doctrine that the only way to be "saved" and find ones way back to God, was through faith in Jesus as the Christ. There were many beliefs and doctrines I was told I should believe. I tried, but many things I knew I doubted and still do.

I have read that even the most faithful of people, regardless of their religious beliefs, have doubts. So I suppose my question is whether this doubt is "a sin"?

With respect to any healing affect, I suppose one who has faith will accept that no matter what outcome befalls one, its God's will. While this does not cure you it would seem to make one more accepting of no cure. In fact, it raises the question of whether we should even pray for good fortune, for isn't it all God's will in the end. Therefore, do you see faith as a "healing" influence, or rather an acceptance? Do we not have it both ways? If we are healed it is faith. If not, it was God's will and for the best.