Marja Bergen

author, mental health advocate, follower of Christ

Hard times – personally speaking

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Dear friends,

Please let me share some personal things with you. I’ve been writing to you for many years—for some of those years going through extremely tough times. But things have never been like this. As my online friends, I feel I want you to know.

A few days ago I came down with bell’s palsy—paralysis of the left side of my face. My mouth is so crooked, I can’t smile, talk properly, and I have trouble eating. My left eye doesn’t close. Sometimes I use paper tape to keep it closed so it won’t dry.

Day to day life has become difficult for both my husband and me. It’s especially hard on my husband.

Maybe worst of all, is that after having been in psychiatric treatment for bipolar disorder all my adult life, I no longer have a psychiatrist. My last appointment with him was cancelled without explanation when I had wanted to explain to him the source of my mental condition—what I feel my true diagnosis should have been. He is not familiar with the possibility of this (complex PTSD) as a diagnosis. It’s a newly identified disorder, not commonly accepted by psychiatrists yet. Now my general practitioner, who has never shown an interest in my mental health, has been put in charge of my care. I feel abandoned.

On Sunday morning, when I wrote this, I woke up to the words of the song, “Because he lives,” on my mind. And I recalled the rest: “Because he lives, I can face tomorrow….and life is worth the living, just because he lives.”

Will you sing with me? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB3un06HUSY

marja

1 Comment

  1. Marja, what you’re going through sounds incredibly hard. My heart aches for you, my dear. I pray for Jesus to bear both you and Wes up through these trying times and to send his angels in human guise to offer you help and support. Finally, I pray for you both a sense of His peace and protection. Much love from me to you.

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