God and the Crazies in Maniacs, Prophecy, and Old Friends

Today I want to talk about something I think alot about. As a prospective religion/psychology major I am always pondering the idea of mental illness.

Most people see mental illness as an obstacle to overcome, or an affliction of the devil. I think we ought to discuss another theory. One that lends itself to an apparent need of diversity.

It’s surely true that sometimes mental illness is an onstacle or an affliction, that’s why we call it an illness after all. But also I think it’s worth considering that maybe sometimes mental illness can be a gift. I know what you are thinking: That’s insain! I must be crazy right? It’s possible. But we hear in some denominations the idea of gifts from God. The gift of healing, or prophecy, the gift of seeing and speaking with spirits, of speaking in tongues. Aren’t these all things that modern science would consider crazy? Yet we experience them.

Maybe the megalomaniacs are born leaders. Maybe the psycopaths are masters of logic. Schizos? Maybe not all of the things they see are halucinations. It’s scary to talk about mental illness in a positive light, but God made us in his image. If we are born with an affliction of the mind isn’t it possible there’s a reason? I believe there is a reason for everything. Prophets have always been called crazy, and so have geniuses. Why are we assuming that all ‘crazy’ people need to be fixed?

Can we stop for a second and consider that some of them are simply born unique for a reason? I’m not suggesting that people should not seek help for mental illness. I’m suggesting that we not condemn people as being ill simply because they experience life differently. Here is how I approach mental illness from a spirirual standpoint. First I ask:

Is this illness hurting you or the people around you?

Sometimes its hard to tell. Certainly most of those with antisocial personality disorder or autism might have no idea how their actions or perceptions of the world affect the people around them. That’s what proffesionals are for. But if you can see that their mental illness is not hurting anyone then perhaps it does not need to be ‘fixed’.

How does your illness affect the way you see the world and how you behave?

Are you happy? Do you see the world as a wonderful adventure? It it a beautiful mystery? Or are you afraid of life? God did not give us a spirit of fear. He made this world for us to enjoy and discover and work in.

Are you productive in your life?

Does your mental illness make it difficult for you to make progress? If so perhaps it should be addressed.

Does your illness cause you to sin?

If so, perhaps this needs to be addressed. If you find it difficult to love and help people or to love yourself or to get out of bed in the morning, than this is an obstacle. If you are lustful, or you are prideful, or greedy, or gluttonous then perhaps this is an obstacle. If not, perhaps the world should worry less about fixing you and more about accepting you.

Everyone is not made to be the same. That would be boring. We are each unique and beautiful creatures. Sometimes the package comes with mental illness. Sometimes that is a problem, but the point I am making is that sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes our differences are just another part of what make us special.

Last updated July 30, 2017