Mental Illness: A Four Dimensional View

"If then your whole body is full of light, having no dark part, it will be wholly bright as when a lamp with its rays gives you light", ESV Luke 11:36.

The Pinwheel Effect: The Four "D's" of Mental Illness

After researching my diagnoses of bipolar and borderline personality disorders, I learned that mental illness is actually a combination of factors that have one grave effect: the inability to manage one's own life well. Like the blurring illusion of a spinning pinwheel, it can seem like one overlying issue, but really is different "sections" of a person, joined at the center being affected.

It is in the unfolding of the sections that we can clearly see the sources of disorder.

Mental Illness has been defined as a condition that affects emotions, thoughts and behavior. Severe forms disrupt relationships, work and physical health. On my own journey, I have experienced severe depression, suicidal behavior, self harming and violent tendencies. I was hospitalized several times and on sixteen different medications. Some were helpful. I did experience relief for certain symptoms, temporarily. I am thankful for that. I value both the benefits and limitations of psychiatric medicines. During times of stress, however my symptoms would return and over time, worsen. I believe the four factors that cause mental illness directly coincide with heart, soul mind and body.

Decisions: Our heart is the birthplace of choice (Prov 4:23). Whatever we choose to believe about God, ourselves and others begins here. I clearly remember making some deliberate decisions on how to handle my pain that were negative, sad and tragic. My lack of repentance produced a hardened heart. Resentment, denial, despair and disobedience all took away my peace. Although we can't control things that happen to us in life, we do have a choice in how we respond to them.

Dynamics: Our soul; our unique, personal human experience was made for connection with other souls. When relationships are out of order, abusive or toxic, our ability to love is affected. I was physically and sexually abused as a child, causing me to feel shame, rage and distrust towards others. I did not learn about truly loving relationships till I was older. I became manipulative and abusive myself. I was filled with bitterness and did not forgive for a long time. The failure to love my neighbor (Mark 12:31) and myself fueled a cycle of more dysfunction and disorder.

Divinity: In the bible, demons affected people's sensory perception. Sight, hearing, speech and motor skills all happen in the brain. One demonized man would cut himself with stones, was violent, naked and lived among the tombs (Mark 5:1-17). Whenever we listen to the voice of the enemy of our souls, we allow his dark influence to affect us. We must be careful not to open any doors that grant him access to the controls of our mind.

The bible also tells of times when God Himself allows someone's mind to be changed due to continuous, repetitive disobedience. The principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7) is an unchangeable law that means our actions produce consequences. Continuous sin and rebellion can have the tragic result of a seared conscience; an inability to receive from God at all. Thankfully, God can heal and restore us to be able to perceive Him again.

DNA: Our physical bodies are born under the curse of fallenness. Because of this, we are susceptible to injury, imbalance and disease. Infections, tumors, cancer; the foods and substances we take in, all affect our mental and emotional state. It should come as no surprise that there are legitimate physiological factors that affect our thinking and relating processes. The curse means nothing is as it should be. Sin produced disorder on all levels and our flesh is hostile to God (Romans 8:7). Yet, we are temples of the Holy Spirit, who came to live in the hostile environment of our flesh and is greater than any physical challenge we face (1 Cor 6:19).

"The cross nullifies the curse. We can have order again"

Healing from mental illness is not just a possibility; as born again believers, it's our right. We now have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) who now abides inside us. Loving God, means obeying Him and we are called to love Him, ourselves and others (John 14:23). This is the highest form of wellness and because of Christ, we are able. The cross nullifies the curse. We can have order again. Some victories come quicker than others. It may be a lengthy, challenging process, but it is a most worthy fight.

Prayer for order: Heavenly Father, thank you for all the advances in science and medicine that now reveal your Word is true. We can renew our minds. Hearts can be healed. Souls can be restored and body's can come under submission and learn new, life-giving behavior. Please bring order back, that we may operate under your original, glorious design. May we worship you with heart, soul, mind and body, because you are worthy. In Christ's name, amen.

All rights reserved, Veronica Jimenez, Sound Mind Awareness ©2014