Life has a way a throwing certain things in our way that cause us immense difficulty. Whether these things are tragic life events or character flaws, these things eventually do come upon us all regardless of age, race, religion, or gender. I believe that the Lord uses these things as ways to mold and shape us into the men and women that we are meant to become. Romans 8:28 seems to suggest this and I believe that mental illness may be included in that promise. In this blog, I will discuss five ways that my Schizoaffective Disorder makes me a better person. The purpose of this is to help people understand that mental illness is not some insidious thing that must be expelled but instead it is a beautiful piece in the tapestry that makes us the amazing creations of God that we are. These five things are not meant to be comprehensive because I am sure that I could think of many more things and if you can think of more ways your mental illness improves you please leave a comment below. The five ways my mental illness makes me a better person are the following:
1) it keeps me humble
2) it makes me more compassionate
3) it makes me more in tune with my emotions
4) it causes me to be more creative
5) it makes me more loving
I will elaborate on all five of these points now. However, I do want to say that I am not saying that I am better than other people because of my mental illness nor am I saying that I am better at these qualities than others either. My goal is to eliminate the stigma that has been built around mental illness by talking about how mental illness has personally improved my life.
It keeps Me Humble
Since I have to deal with this mental infirmity, I cannot really look down on anyone else because I fully understand my own fragility. My mental illness makes me all aware of my own limitations and I fully understand what I can and cannot handle too.
It Makes Me More Compassionate
Since I am aware of my own affliction, it makes more empathetic towards others who are suffering either physically or mentally. I can identify more easily with people who are suffering in ways that other people cannot.
It Makes Me More In Tune With My Emotions
I have always felt my emotions in extremes. This means when I'm happy, I am euphoric. When I am sad, I am deeply depressed. There is no in between for me.
It Causes Me To Be More Creative
I have always been very creative in my writing. I can literally turn anything into an elaborate story because my mind is always coming up with all kinds of wild scenarios.
It Makes More Loving
Since I feel more intensely, I also care for people much more intensely too. This is why I get close to people very easily and I am more vulnerable around them too.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and I hope that this helps you see that there are some benefits to having a mental illness. May the grace of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless you all! Soli Deo Gloria!
-David Lee Chu Sarchet
Christian Mental Health Advocate
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