Why are you single?
- Thread starter love_comes_softly
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You can't fathom a together alone relationship? I've seen a few rare relationships and read about a few. These have sort of opened my eyes to the fact that if two people have the same mission and it were designed that way, it wouldn't be a distraction. Children are a bit different, but I've seen missionaries manage just fine. Being missional minded can work just as easily here, but it will look considerably different (in my view).
@interdigitation though
...I don't really have much experience, but much like when people hold hands when praying, it seems to be a physical reminder of agreement. It's also a silent signaling method, and there is a lot that can be said without words. Besides, we all are children, and I think you can be child like without being childish. The Lord most certainly holds our hands at times. I suppose that some have a puerile representation of this, but to me it illustrates leaning on the Lord and trusting him.
@interdigitation though
...I don't really have much experience, but much like when people hold hands when praying, it seems to be a physical reminder of agreement. It's also a silent signaling method, and there is a lot that can be said without words. Besides, we all are children, and I think you can be child like without being childish. The Lord most certainly holds our hands at times. I suppose that some have a puerile representation of this, but to me it illustrates leaning on the Lord and trusting him.-
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I appreciate you sharing and your post has been on my mind all day. Marriage is indeed a choice, as is most things in life.
The thing is, my relationship with the Lord is what makes me know without a doubt that there are certain things the Lord expects and wants of me. He is my father and I am His daughter. Just as earthly fathers want certain things of their children, our Lord wants things from us too.
Sure I can choose to get married or not, however the Lord has a plan for me. I believe He wants me to be with a particular person. Do I know who that person is? No, but I do believe it. Is it possible that some people are meant to be single, yes, we know that and I believe that's what the Lord wants of those people.
The thing is, my relationship with the Lord is what makes me know without a doubt that there are certain things the Lord expects and wants of me. He is my father and I am His daughter. Just as earthly fathers want certain things of their children, our Lord wants things from us too.
Sure I can choose to get married or not, however the Lord has a plan for me. I believe He wants me to be with a particular person. Do I know who that person is? No, but I do believe it. Is it possible that some people are meant to be single, yes, we know that and I believe that's what the Lord wants of those people.
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Mental illness is definitely a hot topic now. However, just because mental illness is being diagnosed more doesn't mean it's suddenly more common. A lot of mental illness went undiagnosed in the past the same way a lot of physical conditions went undiagnosed. More than a million people are diagnosed with cancer each year: this is a fact, not some sinister scheme or trend. While it may seem like these numbers are rising, it could be the result of a variety of things such as more awareness, better access to healthcare or more available data. I definitely understand why the sudden rise of diagnoses is shocking or even scary. It is: it shows us how prevalent mental illness is (and has always been) in our world. Not unlike cancer or diabetes or any other health issue, mental illness is real and should be treated. Whether with medication, therapy, or alternative medicine is ultimately the choice of the person who has been diagnosed.
I do agree that spiritual issues can affect mental health, but that doesn't explain all mental illness. That gets into dangerous territory: we could start saying any health issue, physical or mental, is the result of personal sin or the like. If you wouldn't tell a person with asthma or chronic pain that their ailment is the result of a spiritual issue, you probably shouldn't say that about mental disorders either. There's nothing wrong with being mentally ill just like there's nothing wrong with being physically ill. While it is true that some mental disturbances are the result of things like demonic oppression, a diagnosis (and treatment) can help differentiate the two. If the treatment works for someone, good for them. If not, maybe it is a spiritual issue. I am of the firm belief that we should use the tools (both spiritual and clinical) available to us!
I do agree that spiritual issues can affect mental health, but that doesn't explain all mental illness. That gets into dangerous territory: we could start saying any health issue, physical or mental, is the result of personal sin or the like. If you wouldn't tell a person with asthma or chronic pain that their ailment is the result of a spiritual issue, you probably shouldn't say that about mental disorders either. There's nothing wrong with being mentally ill just like there's nothing wrong with being physically ill. While it is true that some mental disturbances are the result of things like demonic oppression, a diagnosis (and treatment) can help differentiate the two. If the treatment works for someone, good for them. If not, maybe it is a spiritual issue. I am of the firm belief that we should use the tools (both spiritual and clinical) available to us!
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I don't think the times are harder (at least not in the US), I think the people are softer, more isolated, and have unrealistic expectations ( which is one of the things I remember hearing about PTSD in soldiers and that there seemed to be a correlation between how much someone thought people would naturally always be good and kind to each other and who developed PTSD due to the horrors of war).
I agree we want to stay out of blame the victim territory (and churches can tend to be some of the worst about blaming the victim), but we also want to stay out of the "this is just how I am and I can't do anything about it" territory or falling into the thinking that everyone is sick and broken when really everyone is working perfectly fine and it's that we've created a toxic or inhospitable environment that is responsible.
I agree we want to stay out of blame the victim territory (and churches can tend to be some of the worst about blaming the victim), but we also want to stay out of the "this is just how I am and I can't do anything about it" territory or falling into the thinking that everyone is sick and broken when really everyone is working perfectly fine and it's that we've created a toxic or inhospitable environment that is responsible.
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I don't believe there is any greater prevalence of mental illness now than in previous eras; rather, I think that more behaviours and disorders are classified as mental illness. PTSD was only added to the DSM in 1980, and was controversial then (https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/history_ptsd.asp); it was called "shell shock" previously, and not classified as a mental illness. Also, I think that we are exposed to more information through social and other media. Prior to this century, unless you were already famous for some other reason, your experience of mental illness would probably be known by a small handful of people at most.
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