Is it us..or….
The rates of mental disorders, the aggregate of symptoms called autism spectrum, and other disabling behavioral problems in the US is staggering. Sometimes you need to look at the numbers, to really grasp the number of people receiving treatment for mental illness in this country. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States “As of January 1, 2013, the United States had a total resident population of 316,869,000,[1] making it the third-most populous country in the world.[2]” http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml “Mental disorders are common in the United States and internationally. An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.1 When applied to the 2004 U.S. Census residential population estimate for ages 18 and older, this figure translates to 57.7 million people.2 Even though mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated in a much smaller proportion — about 6 percent, or 1 in 17 — who suffer from a serious mental illness.1 In addition, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and Canada.3 Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time. Nearly half (45 percent) of those with any mental disorder meet criteria for 2 or more disorders, with severity strongly related to comorbidity.1 In the U.S., mental disorders are diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV).4” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_Disability_Insurance “at the end of 2011, there were 10.6 million Americans collecting SSDI, up from 7.2 million in 2002.[1] The share of the U.S. population receiving SSDI benefits has risen rapidly over the past two decades, from 2.2 percent of adults age 25 to 64 in 1985 to 4.1 percent in 2005.[2]” Another view of disability,,good graphs on various problems. http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/ “In the past three decades, the number of Americans who are on disability has skyrocketed. The rise has come even as medical advances have allowed many more people to remain on the job, and new laws have banned workplace discrimination against the disabled. Every month, 14 million people now get a disability check from the government.” Adults are suffering at unprecedented levels. What about the children? http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=federal_and_state_policy_legislation&template=%2FContentManagement%2FContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=43804 “Prevalence of Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders
http://www.cdc.gov/features/countingautism/ “Tracking the Number of Children Identified with Autism Spectrum Disorders CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities has been tracking ASDs for over a decade through the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. The newest estimates from the ADDM Network are based on data collected in 14 areas of the United States during 2008. These 14 communities comprised over eight percent of the United States population of 8-year-olds in 2008. Information was collected on children who were 8 years old because previous work has shown that, by this age, most children with ASDs have been identified for services. CDC estimates 1 in 88 children (11.3 per 1,000) has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This marks a 23% increase since our last report in 2009. And, a 78% increase since our first report in 2007. Some of the increase is due to the way children are identified, diagnosed and served in their local communities, although exactly how much is due to these factors in unknown. The number of children identified with ASDs varied widely across the 14 ADDM Network sites, from 1 in 47 (21.2 per 1,000) to 1 in 210 (4.8 per 1,000). ASDs are almost 5 times more common among boys (1 in 54) than among girls (1 in 252). The largest increases over time were among Hispanic children (110%) and black children (91%). We suspect that some of this increase is due to greater awareness and better identification among these groups. However, this finding explains only part of the increase over time, as more children are being identified in all groups.” Here is a finding from the 2007 study. There has been a 78 percent increase since then. http://www.pediatricsdigest.mobi/content/124/5/1395.full.pdf ”RESULTS: The weighted current ASD point-prevalence was 110 per 10,000. We estimate that 673,000 US children have ASD.” http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/adhd.htm “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)* (Data are for the U.S.) Morbidity
Or is something more at work? Is there a spiritual aspect to our problems? The role of sin in our current problems Specifically, original sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, and were evicted from their perfect living space, the Garden of Eden, much more was lost than just easy childbirth and fruit on every branch for dinner. The creation itself groaned from the effects of sin. Without the direct daily walks with God, it was much more difficult to stay on the path the Creator intended. Mankind decided he could rule himself (witness Cain and Abel and the result. Cain did not like that his offering was not accepted. So he killed his brother, the righteous one before God.) While a percentage of humankind retained knowledge of God, most did not. The gap was filled with demonic activity (fallen angels, whose half human children were called the nephilim), teaching mankind to freely explore immorality and idol worship. The beginning of the increase in sorrows for humanity was a time span until the judgement,,,, 120 years. We were diminished even before the Flood ( 70 years). The nephilim apparently were extremely violent and men went along with this as well. Humanity did as it pleased. Even the animals, the earth itself, were corrupted by what mankind in his fallen state, was doing. Genesis 6:1-13 6 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. In the time of Noah, God could only find one family worth saving, human enough and willing to acknowledge the Creator. One has to assume the animals that found their way to the Ark were also genetically clean enough to carry on their species. We have had thousands of years in which earthquakes and storms and floods have destroyed civilizations and killed men animals and plants. Thousands of years of our warfare, our need for increasing levels of crops to feed ourselves and the resultant pollution of waterways with excess fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides, overfishing of major fish species, and laziness or greed in dumping chemicals and radioactive substances.. Even the air is foul from our industries. Science and chemistry has gone even further, creating hybrid species. The long term effects of eating GMO plants, or laboratory grown meat or a dozen other uses of genetic research now being played with-unknown. As in the time of Noah, we should not be surprised if our land, our food, even our genetics, is so corrupted it causes tremendous problems for us. Individual sin Exodus 34:7 “keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” This speaks exquisitely to what we call today, family patterns. Whether it is violence, drunkenness, drug use, incest, or sexual immorality, these patterns, which wound children, also cause them to grow up repeating the patterns they learned at home.( rest assured, other verses make it clear that any who turn their lives over the Lord are not responsible for the sins of their fathers.) Every time we abuse our own bodies, or abuse another, we cause physical harm and mental harm (stress) Organisms under stress often fail to thrive. Disease and death can follow. When we take it further, and insist we have the right to do as we please, and codify it in our laws as a nation, we, as a group, further the path of sin and death. We are created beings, not the Creator. And nothing we will ever do will change that. Yet, oh, how we want to be the God of our own life! Social norms fray and break. As a group, just as in a family unit with problems, we become hardened to terrible behavior and accept it as normal. Spiritual sin Most of you know the story. Satan wish to be worshipped as God was. His rebellion led to the fall of 1/3 of the angels. He has opposed God at every turn; He tempted Eve, and Christ. He further has attempted, for thousands of years, to destroy God’s nation of Israel. His angels corrupted mankind genetically, and led them in worship of idols and to sexual immorality. God has been moved to destroy these evil works from time to time. The Flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as well as other nations serve as examples. What we learn in Ephesians is that there are beings, controlled by Satan, who do have power, and seats of authority. After all, Satan rules this world until the glorious return of our Lord. Matthew 4:8-11 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. He corrupts us and twists us sideways with politics, false religions, and sexual immorality (it is the easiest way to corrupt someone. Once they get the sex, they are much more likely to go along with false beliefs, to stay with their lover.) And drugs. Once your mind is open and the need for continued stimulation is in place, you will do anything. You literally are not in your right mind. The same goes for abuse of alcohol. Our guards come down, including our spiritual armor. Anyone, including Christians, can be brought low by Satan. Destroying our testimony is one of his favorite tactics. Jesus often dealt with a devastating and more direct form of torment from Satan. It is called possession. Possession looks like mental illness; like epilepsy; like many physically caused ailments. Matthew 12 22-30 43;45 22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: 26 and if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. 30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad 31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. 33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. 34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned…. .43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Jesus taught a number of important concepts in these passages. First, that demons exist. That they inhabit a human if possible to increase sin and torment. That only the power of God can force the unclean spirit out. That the possession can return if the person does not turn to God. And that to call the work of God the Holy Spirit evil, is the one unforgiveable sin. And yet,,,modern psychiatry insists there is no such thing; they treat with drugs, one of the sure paths to ripping down spiritual armor, and they offer little hope to anyone who loves a person with serious mental disorder, a return of the sufferer to health. The methods are as questionable as unsanctioned exorcisms. Not all mental disease is spiritual. However, this is one avenue even Christians seem unwilling to pursue; to believe that Satan, through his demons, would personally torment someone to abuse not just them, but everyone around them. I would point out the tragedy at the Naval Yard. The shooter had told professionals he heard voices. He received no help. The mother of the shooter in Connecticut was trying to cope with her son who reportedly had Asperger’s syndrome. He chose to kill her, take guns and go shoot children and teachers. A slaughter of innocents. A sacrifice to their master. So my question is; were these men actually hearing voices? Pushed by spiritual forces they had no way to fight? Are we missing the boat by not having a Christian mission to aid the mentally ill? Are we not including families whose children have behavioral problems, because dealing with them is so difficult? If they do not hear of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, how can they have hope that they too can be saved? I am not tasked with the mission of doing exorcisms. Therefore, I leave it to those who are to delineate the differences between possession and organic disease. I am also not advocating that anyone abandon drug therapy. I will say, I believe we will see an increase in what can only be called evil acts as we draw nearer the end of the age. The world at large will continue to act stunned..but Christians should have the discernment to see the signs…We do actually have to put on our spiritual armor, for we are in a spiritual war. God is not “allowing” sin and disease. God is good! He gave us free will to accept or reject him. He allowed Adam and Eve to be tempted, but sent them out of the Garden before they could eat the fruit of the Tree of Life, and be both immortal and in a sin state; lost forever. When men corrupted the very plants and animals around them, he cleansed the world with a flood. And saved a family, and other creatures. When Sodom and Gomorrah used their wealth and influence to do such things as attempt to rape strangers, he removed them. Once again, he saved Lot, the nephew of Abraham, out of the destruction. He will allow mankind to truly experience the fruits of their rebellion in the time known as the tribulation. Once again, we believe he will remove the righteous, the believers, before this time. God put into place a plan of salvation, long before Eve ever ate the damning fruit. He himself in the personage of his Son, Jesus Christ would pay the price for sin. We are covered by the blood; we are saved. All we have to do is believe. What does this mean for a Christian confronted with mentally ill or behaviorally challenged family members?
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