BEHAVIORAL HIGHS AND LOWS

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

Someone enters a school armed with guns and begins to shoot randomly with the result that innocent lives are abruptly ended – why did this have to happen?  A co-worker who has been treated nicely by others unexpectedly targets fellow workers in an act of terror – and there is no logical reason for that event taking place. Incidents like this occur too frequently, and many are affected, fearful and confused. In the secular handling of such incidents, the usual action that follows is to bring in grief counsellors to deal with those who have been emotionally/psychologically impacted by such heinous and random acts.

On “October 2nd, 2006 – a normally quiet and peaceful day in the rolling Amish farmlands of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – when suddenly that peace was shattered when the sound of gunfire. When local police broke into the one-room Amish schoolhouse they found 10 Amish girls ages 6-13 had been shot by a man who had then committed suicide.” Why did the shooter commit this act? A biographical background of the shooter disclosed the following that he: “was a milk truck driver who serviced the local community, including the farms of some of the victims’ families. Nine years earlier his wife Amy gave birth to their first child, a baby girl. However, the baby died after living only 20 minutes. Apparently his daughter’s death affected him greatly. He never forgave God for her death, and eventually planned to get revenge.” He dismissed the boys and adults in the classroom and then shot and killed the girls! How did the Amish Community react and respond to this devastating event? They reached out to the shooter’s family with forgiveness and acts of kindness.

One reason given for this abnormal behavior is in a study of those who are bi-polar. CNN has published a study and shared some of their findings that: “Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive disorder. And the name describes the illness. It involves depression with at least one episode of mania or hypomania. Bipolar can be hard to recognize because the highs and lows can seem like separate problems. But catching it and getting a correct diagnosis is vital because proper treatment can help bipolar people regain control over their lives.” However, bi-polar behavior is not always predictable. There are radical mood swings that are observable as: “An abnormally elevated mood is a characteristic of mania. This can mean that a person will act overly happy or outgoing. A manic person may feel naturally high in this state. In fact, mania can make people feel so high they become too stimulated and out of control. They end up being irritable, agitated, jumpy and anxious. Manic people are highly active, easily distracted, restless, and overly talkative. They tend to have extremely high self-confidence levels and engage in risky behaviors. The flip side of a manic episode is a depressive episode. These periods tend to occur more frequently, last longer, and be more problematic than manic episodes. During depressive episodes, people with bipolar disorder experience worry, emptiness, hopelessness, and low self-esteem. They lose interest in previously enjoyable activities.” 
(See: https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/bipolar).

A Biblical response regarding unpredictable behavior is given in by Jesus Christ in Matthew 15:18-19, “Do you still not understand?” The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.” However, in this complicated day in which we live, can a Biblical Christian be bi-polar and have radical mood swings? The direct answer is “Yes!” A Christian Website (See: http://www.gotquestions.org/bipolar-manic-depression.html) makes the following statement regarding the Bi-Polar professing Christian: “Because bipolar disorder or manic depression affects the way a person thinks, finding godly counsel is essential, Proverbs 1:5-7, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance…The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Also, spending time in God’s Word is likewise essential, II Timothy 3:16-17,  “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Bipolar disorder alters a person’s perceptions of reality, so a strong foundation in truth is a necessity when dealing with its symptoms.” There is hope for the bi-polar Christian offered in II Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is passing away; behold, the new has come.” II Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that, God’s grace is always more than sufficient for one’s need. 

A question that needs to be considered carefully is: Can a bi-polar person formally serve the Lord effectively in any leadership capacity? As difficult as it is to write and say, in the short term, the answer is “Yes!” but in longer term service, the answer would be “No!” Think about it - consider – prayerfully and carefully -  these things with me!