Thursday, April 16, 2009

With the comfort we have received

The need for support when we have bipolar disorder is proving to be an important topic of discussion. Yet there seems to be no definitive answer. The answer seems to be different for everyone.

Over the last couple of days I've felt okay - especially after some prayer with a friend. I've been steady. Yet right this minute I'm a bit fragile - truly a bipolar thing, eh? Don't worry please, though. Though I've appreciated all your comments and support, things are not that bad at all.

We need to be more concerned about people like Brenda who has lived in blackness for some time now. I've known that kind of blackness and feel for her. She needs a lot more support than I do. I do hope you'll visit her and get to know her.

And I'm so grateful for Susan's support, online and off. She has been a great friend. She too knows thoroughly what depression is like, though I think you're more worried about me than you need to be, Susan:) For more discussion on the topic of support I hope you'll visit her site.

But maybe I'm feeling as well as I do right now precisely because I've had such good support.

I believe that the comfort and support that we receive from others is God-given. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 is so applicable to all this. Through the comfort we receive from others, we can turn around and comfort others.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.


Thank you all for being there. Let us continue to be there for each other.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Marja
I have become acquainted with you through your postings at Wellness Writer, and have visited your blog. I have been thinking such a lot over the last day or so about your support list. How wise to know that we do need these people in our lives, but also that no one individual can ever address all our requirements, and that if a person can help and support in a particular area or way, that is truly wonderful. I have become aware of a few gaps in my 'list', and am learning to be more open and share. I have always tended to withdraw completely, which only serves to increase the sense of isolation. I sense you have some very special people in your life, and how fabulous to have that care, concern, and support during those times when one feels so fragile. It may only a moment, a day, but sometimes it does feel endless. Best wishes Emma

Brenda said...

I'm still here! Thanks for finding that verse for me. I was trying to think of where it was yesterday because it applied to my post. See, we really do need each other, Marja. You continue to be a blessing to me. I love your honesty.

marja said...

Thank you Emma and welcome to my site. I'm glad you're trying to be more open. We only need one or two or three people to be able to do that with, but are those people ever precious to us.

marja said...

I go back to those verses many times. So meaningful to people who suffer, eh?

sbwrites said...

Dear Marja,
Thanks for the lovely mention. Actually, perhaps it wasn't so much that I was worried about you--as I wanted you to know I am here for you.

I know how strong you can be, and I know you'd never let yourself get into a situation where you couldn't receive help if you truly needed it.

Perhaps, it's just after a terribly long depressive episode myself, I know how important it is for others to say, "I know what you're going through. I know what it feels like. I'm here for you if you need me.

Hope you and Wes have a lovely vacation!

Susan

'Tart said...

I find your blog so inspiring.

Thank you for this verse. I spend a lot of time by myself and find that just a little uplift by friends and family gives me the energy to keep going and I think there are moments when perhaps I can bring uplift to another.

I understand about that fragility. It seems that God provides, especially when in the midst of the storm especially if you open your heart to it.

Thank you for being a source of comfort.
Sincerely,
Tart

marja said...

Thank you, Tart. Neat how we can all relate to things like this, eh? The need for support and the need to support others back.

marja said...

Susan: Thanks for the good wishes for our little get-away. The weather wasn't the greatest but we had lots of time to read, do puzzles, play our board game, and walk.

Thanks for your compassion, but also for your confidence in my ability to reach out and thus overcome.

Thank you for being there for me. Hope I can do the same for you when you need someone.