Comments on: Another Pastor’s Suicide Sparks Conversation

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:52:22 +0000

I agree with you, Pastor Peperkorn. Depression and anxiety are not just "spiritual problems". Thank you so much for speaking out about this.

By: Kay

Kay — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:57:58 +0000

Amen!

By: Todd A. Peperkorn

Todd A. Peperkorn — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:18:37 +0000

Cynthia, you are certainly welcome to quote this in any way you see fit, as long as it is properly cited. Thank you!

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:47:41 +0000

Also, I would like your permission to quote a brief passage from this blog post in my blog. I will give you the appropriate credit. I will just give your blog address unless you care to email me your name to also include. thank you in advance.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:38:53 +0000

This ineffective and maybe even downright sinful attitude held by the church in their views of mental illness is something with which I have struggled and at the hands of which I have suffered for many years, having the dual diagnosis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (schizoaffective disorder). It is something that has compelled me to address the issue in two of my blogs: http://www.cynthialottvogel.blogspot.com and also http://www.lunamosity.wordpress.com. Christians have stuck their heads in the sand for too long regarding these biological illnesses…and it is to withhold the love of Jesus from those who suffer to do so. I would welcome you to viisit my blogs.

By: Pam

Pam — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:28:03 +0000

It gives me some comfort to remember that for all the thousands healed by miracle, including those healed by Jesus, there are also thousands not healed. I feel this means physical healing is not always the point in a particular person's life. Our life path is between us and God. There may be many reasons why we remain "unhealed"… such as perhaps to lift others through our compassion and understanding…

By: Barb the Evil Genius

Barb the Evil Genius — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:39:29 +0000

My reply to that would be that these thoughts can lead further and further downward until you really are ready to commit the act. Through group therapy and individual counseling I saw that your thoughts can control how you feel. If you keep thinking negatively, everything seems negative. I wouldn't give anyone guilt over suicidal thoughts, but I would say it is a dangerous path to go down.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:30:20 +0000

Indeed, God has many ways that He comforts and consoles his people. Though a little off the path of this discussion, though certainly within the ball park is the line from The Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide by Kay Redfield Jamison, “Suicide is not a blot on anyone’s name; it is a tragedy [pg, 230].” Where tragedy is there God is, forgiving His people. In all of this, the first line of Comfort, Comfort Ye My people bears remembering:

“Comfort, Comfort, ye My people, Speak ye peace,” thus
saith our God: “Comfort those who sit in darkness, Mourning
neath their sorrows load. Speak ye to Jerusalem.
Of the peace that waits for them; Tell her that
her sins I cover And her warfare now is over.” [LSB 347:1]

By: RPW

RPW — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:27:38 +0000

well put, Susan

By: Susan

Susan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:34:37 +0000

1. You're saying that we may be ignoring God's first-article gifts when we don't find help and healing from doctors, therapists, etc. Yup. Would it help clarify if we said that pastors are not His only masks, but so are the doctors and therapists?

2. When there is talk about sin or unbelief contributing to depression, is THAT really a problem in itself? Or is the problem actually that we are told it's up to US to strengthen our faith, that it's up to us to overcome our unbelief and doubts? IF faith is my good work, and if in my depression I cannot oomph myself to a "better faith," then my weakness in faith leaves me with no hope, no help, no comfort, no way out, no remedy. But that would be a wrong view of faith, and thus the remedy ("you ought to pray more" and "you ought to trust better") is essentially works-righteousness. But … that doesn't deny the sinful component of depression; it just denies that works-righteousness is our cure.