Marja Bergen

author, mental health advocate, follower of Christ

Category: Mental Health and Faith (page 2 of 40)

I’m not consumed

HOPE The words below from Jeremiah comfort me. I think it’s because they remind me that I’m not the only person to have had such feelings. I’m not the only person to have tasted such “bitterness and gall.” That’s the beautiful thing about the Bible. There’s something there for every one of us, no matter where we’re at. I […]

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Patient Endurance

DEPRESSED? – After spending most of the day in my night clothes, only writing a bit, as I am now while lying on the sofa, I realized something had to be wrong. This has been happening too often. Could I be depressed? I had thought depression was in the past for me, something that no longer […]

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My forgotten story

CHURCH AWARENESS As a result of the many painful things that happened to me, the good parts of my story that occurred in the years between 2000 and 2015 have been forgotten. I led a vibrant life during those years, accomplishing much. Speaking and writing, raising awareness in the Christian Church. It made a difference. […]

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A revolutionary idea? Yes, really!

AN IMPOSSIBILITY? Think of this: Many Christians seem to have lost track of what Jesus’ message was. They forget that he was a radical—a revolutionary—wanting to change the status quo. He taught forgiveness. He taught us to love our enemies. He taught us not to be judgmental. He ate with fraudulent tax collectors, prostitutes, and […]

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Once thought impossible

OVERCOMING THE EFFECTS OF STIGMA: a revolutionary idea for this world of today: The pain of medications, coping strategies, and other world remedies cannot heal the ingrained wounds of stigma. The pain of rejection, shunning, exclusion, feelings of shame, and being looked down on, can only be relieved through spiritual means. Overcoming the Effects of […]

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The message of Christ’s healing power, lost

FAITH AND MENTAL HEALTH “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” […]

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How great our need

A NEED FOR JESUS – MY STORY I have lived with bipolar disorder as a person who didn’t believe in God. And I’ve lived with bipolar illness as someone who learned to have faith in Jesus Christ. And, though my faith did not “heal” me, I have become a stronger person because of it. Trusting […]

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A vision for faith-based support emerges

GIVING BIRTH TO LIVING ROOM One day in early 2006, I was attending a Mood Disorders Association meeting (MDA-BC) when the facilitator went around the circle asking each of us to tell what their best way is to cope with symptoms. I knew that my best way was to go to God, to trust him, […]

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No one brought me flowers

COMING OUT – MY STORY In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalm 25:1-3 […]

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At a New Age boutique

FAITH AND MENTAL HEALTH Part 9 of my story  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy […]

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