Flipped Upside Down
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
~Romans 8:18 NIV
What if, one day, you woke up with a severe mental illness, and your whole world was flipped upside down?
The Diagnosis
For me, I don’t have to wonder because that one day came. Often, I think of my life before my illness settled in. I was sociable and vibrant, and most of all, I loved a good church service. I admired the Lord, and although my life was riddled with suffering, I understood how it drew me nearer to God. I praised the Lord frequently for that understanding. Never did I dream of suffering that would leave me clueless, frustrated, and, at times, speechless.
Several times throughout this period, I wanted to blame myself for my predicament. Looking back on the past, I searched for moments when I could have protected my sanity. Sometimes, regret fills me so much that I struggle to get out of bed.
Then, I wondered why we often blame ourselves when we suffer. Why is our first instinct to ask, “What have I done?” I think about Job’s suffering and how his friends’ first reaction was to identify the cause.
The Lesson
As we read Job’s story, we understand his suffering was attributed to God’s divine will. We often judge Job’s friends for accusing him of doing something wrong. I did. Yet, I was doing the same thing—putting myself on trial to find the one thing worthy of the suffering.
Like Job, I realize I have no control over the Lord’s sovereignty. The decline in my mental health accords with God’s will. God, in one way or another, is using my mental illness to reveal more of Himself to me and to further me along in His divine plan. My mental illness isn’t a repercussion of my sin but a result of who I am in Christ.
Ask God to teach you valuable lessons when suffering flips your life upside down.
Dear Jesus, teach me to seek You in my suffering and to draw nearer to You. Praise be to Your name for Your glory. Amen.
Genre: Non-fiction
Copyright 2025: Flipped Upside Down: Sam Renee: All Rights Reserved
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I also applaud your faith in the midst of this severe trial. I have experience with this in my family and in my own life. And yes, God has taught me many things in the midst of them.
Respectfully, I do not believe it’s in “accord with God’s will”, however. God allows many things that are not His will. He opened the door to these by giving us free will which resulted in The Fall. The results of the Fall are not His will, but they happen through the enemy whose mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus Christ is our way through and out of the effects of the Fall. Though we can’t understand the why of each trouble that touches us, God is love and His will is always for good. He demonstrates this by giving His Son to achieve Victory on the Cross.
Thank you for your vulnerability about mental health. On this day 14 years ago my world did flip. My son died suddenly. My grief and mental health state has been tested but God has been incredibly loving and faithful. Yes it’s good to open up this topic. God fills us in our weak places w His grace and power.