The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Fearful (08/23/07)
I get paid to listen to stories; sad to tragic, funny to bizarre. I’m a Christian clinical psychotherapist; and no, that's not an oxymoron. The bible actually has a lot to say about mental illness. Terms like schizophrenia, paranoia, OCD, psychosis, bipolar are man’s attempts to label what God already described centuries ago in His Word.

Time has honed my practice, and I now specialize in clients with paranoia and personality disorders. Here's a favorite paranoia-related verse I keep on my desk:

I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them. Leviticus 26:36 NIV

My newest client, Hannah, was a perfect example of that verse. It didn’t take much interaction with her to diagnose paranoid personality disorder plus generalized anxiety disorder, but all that medical mumbo-jumbo could be translated into one word—fear.

Hannah’s paranoias came out like lava oozing from a crack in a volcano, a slow and steady eruption that she was helpless to hold back.

"You don’t know what it’s like being me," she began. "They’ve tapped my phone. They follow me. Everywhere I go I see people talking about me. Voices whisper to me at night. And now I’m afraid my sister is stealing my money."

"What makes you think that, Hannah?"

"It’s obvious. My money keeps disappearing and she’s the only one who knows where I keep it."

"Could it be that you’ve just lost track of your money?"

"No!" she responded indignantly. "She's getting back at me for things she says I did to her when we were kids."

"Have you confronted her about it?"

"I don’t dare do that!" she exclaimed. "I’m afraid I’ll lose control and hurt her bad. I can get really, really angry...especially when the TV tells me to get back at somebody."

"What does the TV tell you to do, Hannah?"

"Well, mostly it’s those game shows. You know...like Wheel of Fortune? The scrambled letters are a hidden message meant just for me."

"What kind of things does it tell you?"

"Oh, sometimes it just tells me things about me. You know...like I’m no good. I’m a bad person. I’m going to hell. But sometimes it tells me to hurt somebody else because they’re bad too."

"Have you ever acted on those messages? I mean have you ever hurt yourself or somebody else?"

"Well..." She hesitated. "I have punished myself a few times for being bad. Like pulling out my hair or scratching myself, but I haven’t let myself do anything to anybody else."

"How does it make you feel after you've hurt yourself?"

"I feel better. I feel...like I’m paid up for a while, know what I mean? Cuz I deserve to be punished."

"Yes, Hannah. I do know."

Shifting the focus of our conversation, I began a gentle inquiry. "Hannah, would you say there’s anybody in this world that you truly love?"

Hannah fidgeted in her chair and avoided looking at me. Finally she murmured, "I can't love. I'm too afraid."

"I used to feel that way, too."

"Really?" Hannah eyed me suspiciously.

"Yes. But then I read something by a guy name John that made me think differently about my fears. I want you to read something." I slid a plaque across my desk.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18 NIV

"Hannah, I’m happy to take you on as a client, but please understand that my help is temporary. However, I do know someone who can help you permanently. His name is Jesus. Do you know who He is?"

"Sure, I watch all those religious shows on TV, TBN and all that. They talk about him all the time."

"Well, they’re talking about Christianity, Hannah. But Christianity isn’t religion. It’s a relationship with Christ. Without that relationship, it’s just talk, like we're doing here. I’d like to begin our relationship with a firm foundation, something we can really build on. You need saving, Hannah, and Jesus is your Savior. Would you allow me tell you more?"

"Can he get rid of my fear?" she asked, her eyes earnestly searching my face. I nodded.

"Tell me," she whispered.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 943 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Gabrielle Morgan
08/31/07
An excellent way to treat a patient such as Hannah. I once worked with a doctor who said the best psychiatrist was Jesus. Good work!
julie wood
08/31/07
An intriguing and beautifully written story! The characters, especially Hannah, come alive through the vivid dialogue.

I could relate to this, as I have a close friend with a condition similar to Hannah's.

However, readers should be made aware that the "plan of salvation" is not always an instant cure-all for mental illnesses, any more than for physical ones. My friend is a very strong Christian who ministers in loving ways to others, yet she still struggles with and suffers from the fears brought on by her illness.

Great title--the personal name sparked my curiosity!
Jan Ackerson
08/31/07
The comparison of fear to oozing lava is awesome!

FYI--always capitalize "Bible".

I'm intrigued by the mix of faith and psychology, not often seen. Very interesting!
Rhonda Clark
09/01/07
What a nice piece. Your writing is as relaxed and smooth as the doctor. I like how he witnesses to his patients and incorporates God's Word into therapy.

Wonderful.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
09/01/07
This piece is not only very well written, it's also informative. I like the way the narrator uses a relationship with Christ and words from the Bible for healing.
Dee Yoder
09/03/07
My husband works with persons with mental illnesses, also, but unfortunately, his agency is a county agency, and he can't be as open with the message and hope of Christ as he'd like to be. But, he can pray for his clients, and be there for them, and with God's help, show them he cares when they're struggling with their illness.
dub W
09/03/07
Very insightful, well written. Thank you. This belongs at a highter level. Definately in the puppy pen.
Laurie Walker
09/05/07
I also enjoyed reading something combining psychology and religion, both powerful forms of healing.

It might have been more powerful to have 'seen' Hannah more. Did she have any nervous tendencies: biting her lip, chewing her nails, tugging her hair, tapping her foot. If you decide to expand this I think those show details would make it seem more alive.

Otherwise very engaging. You handle dialogue really well.
Dan Louise Mann
09/07/07
Thanks to everyone who read my article and also those who commented. I'm VERY gratified by the responses. You would have no way of knowing that your responses were exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you all. And even though I didn't place with this entry, I was placed in Dub's puppy pen for the first time ever. Woo hoo! :o)