This is why: “The Rockets are being accommodating toward White because they believe he is one of the top big men prospects to come along in some time. So they're meeting him halfway by letting him get on a bus and drive away.”

This is a good article. It seems at times that some Christians forget that the brain is an organ, too, and can be affected by biochemical or electrical imbalances. Sometimes other parts of the brain can have an influence on receptors or other mechanisms. For example, I have a very unusual inner ear/auditory system disorder that left me, for all intents and purposes, deaf in my left ear, with ringing and rushing noises, and a shower of feedback effects from various sounds coming into my good ear. Depressing? Yes. What are the main ingredients that have helped me cope with this condition? The grace of God (not figuratively) and the love of my wife and family and church give me hope for each day. Has it affected my quality of life? Absolutely, to the extent that energy has been drained, anxiety is a regular battle, and most people simply cannot understand the suffering. Many Christians suffer things more physically apparent. Others among us suffer from things hidden but very real. My Creator and Savior, Jesus, brings the power needed to live and know the insight and strength only His grace brings not just in spite of it all, but actually because of it.

THANK YOU for writing this post! This is something I have dealt with for approximately 10 years. I have OCD/anxiety attacks. Now, after being on medication and going through therapy for several years, I am much better. However, it is one of my greatest desires to see the church (as a whole) become more accepting and understanding of those of us with mental illness and our need for medication/treatment to treat such illnesses. While I can often hide my symptoms, when I was first seeking help with my problems I was given the typical answers - to have faith, exercise control of my mind, etc. This was quite detrimental to my 15 year-old mind, because I could never seem to control my mind well enough to overcome the OCD. Thank God that He led my mother to seek medical help (who then recommended a professional counselor). I can now say that there is hope for those with mental illness!

Hello! Thank you SO much for this article. I am a Christian who has bipolar disorder and panic disorder. God has given me the opportunity to speak and write about this messy stuff in hopes that others would find hope and encouragement in Christ. I am so thankful to be at a church with a family of believers who love me to pieces and can "handle" my issues. This has not been true at other churches for me. Thanks again for the article! Katie Koppin http://katiekoppin.wordpress.com

Thank you for this compassionate post. I, too, had to overcome the belief that Christians should not suffer from depression, but if one did, it should not be talked about. It was not until I was in my 50's that I finally had the courage to see a Christian counselor. Now I have befriended a young woman who is bipolar and suffers from panic attacks and anxiety disorder. This is far more severe than my depression was, and I am praying for wisdom to know how best to be her friend and helper. The Body of Christ is to represent Jesus to all the dear ones He sends to our churches who are suffering with mental and emotional illnesses. They need unconditional love and acceptance just like the rest of us.

Several members of my family suffer from different types of mental illness - depression, anxiety, and bi-polar disorder mixed with dementia. Fortunately, now, my parents' church is loving and supportive, but there have been people who preached to my dad that Christians don't suffer from depression or it's due to sin...what about Job, and even Jesus wrestled with things in the garden before he was taken and crucified. Personally, I do believe mential disorders to be spiritual, as at the lowest and feeling farthest from God, satan would attack me where he always does - my mind, and scripture and prayer are vital. I also know it is chemical/physical and medication has helped so much, and people should not feel ashamed for needing it anymore thant BP meds. I also know it is psychological and emotional, because my mind and body have felt so weary. With the way the world is and continues to evolve, why wouldn't there be these struggles? The Bible tells us in many places to be not afraid, have courage, that God is near and comforts, that God rescues and will avenge - those verses are meant for us, too. The families/friends of people with mental illness also need support. It is exausting to care for someone who is depressed and manic and anxious, and then to have to deal with Christians who feel the need to preach...not loving, not bearing each others burdens.

Matt, I'm so sorry. I learned early about some Christians response to mental illnesss. I come from a fundamental, evangelical background. In 1953, my mother had a "nervous breakdown." The catalyst seemed to be the unexpected death of her brother. Although he attended a Bible-believing church, and in my 7 year old mind, showed the love of Christ in his life, he was considered spiritually lost. This was based on his inability to stop smoking. Later, I questioned, how the church could question one's salvation because of a "sin of the flesh" in smoking, but if a believer had a problem overeating, it was never a spiritual issue, even for pastors. Instead of rejecting this legalism, my mother had nightmares of her brother in Hell and soon lost touch with reality. She saw me as a sinful child and I should not have been born because I was going to Hell, also. My dad admitted her in the hospital for costly treatments, such as mental care was at that time. I, then, remember visits from more Christians advising him he was seeking answers in the "ways of the world." When they left, I saw him crying. Eventually, after "shock" treatments and drug, things improved, but for some in our church, I always sensed she was marked as unstable, not an "overcomer in Christ." I wish I could say things have changed within the body of Christ. Now, unlike the 50's, one might risk being suspected of demonic influence. Sometimes, I will make a comment on some aspect of mental illness and by the reaction, I continue to feel unsafe...except for those dear ones who know through their own suffering..

Less than a year ago, I was diagnosed with a "personality disorder" after a week of intensive counseling, prompted by several serious symptoms. About a week after sharing this diagnosis with our senior pastor and governing board, I was asked to resign from my staff position at the church. It was for my own good, of course, since the particularities of pastoral work exacerbated my condition. Yet I was also told that (not asked whether) my "recovery" (I must change for good, mustn't I?) would best happen elsewhere. Getting access to "better resources" would supposedly offset the chaos of relocating my family, changing churches and communities, and struggling to find a new career--all the while trying to salvage what little was left of my soul. If the local church in any given community does not have the resources within itself to care for the soul of a troubled pastor and his young family, God help us.

Thank you for the sensitive and compassionate article re mental illness. We may remember Jesus' compassion upon many who were afflicted by unclean spirits, so we should be compassionate to those afflicted in various ways. Self-feeding pastors (Eze. 34:1-10) are out-of-touch with sufferng, and should be silent. The DIALOGUE of the early church (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 14:31, 2 Cor. 4:13) was a provision against insensitive words from any one person. Women also prayed and prophesied in the early church (1 Cor. 11:5). The Lord is patient with each of us to see ourselves and give his compassion to others. May we see our need to cry unto Him day and night, Luke 18:7.

Pastor; retired; PTSD (severe depression/anxiety disorder); social anxiety and a few other personality disorders. Well received by my brothers in ministry and members of the congregation I attend. I have little problem talking about mental illness and the impact it has on the ill and family.