A Note to Sceptics, and Other Thoughts

I asked Gary what hope his doctors had given him of ever recovering from his illness. He had met with numerous doctors over the years, and all but one of them had said schizophrenia is "for life". One said there was a possibility of remission. So I asked him what he would like to say to those who conclude that his healing was a spontaneous remission.

He responded, "People have freedom of choice given to them by God." He was concerned only about the consequences for anyone not believing that God heals. He went on to say, "If a person prays and says Amen, and five seconds later the voices are gone, it's obviously the answer to prayer and a true miracle. At least it's obvious to me. If you don't believe in God and miracles, how can I change a sceptic's premeditated belief? Your freedom of choice--God nor I would take that away from you.... No one I know has surrendered to God like I did when they had schizophrenia. They believe the doctors and sceptics. Once again, their choice. I chose different. I believed God."

In addition, the change I have witnessed in Gary is tremendous. He no longer identifies as 'Victim'. I now experience him as kind, generous, patient, and loving. Often when I text him, he is busy! Doing what? Well, for one example, comforting and encouraging a friend who still battles schizophrenia. Also, for over a year, in his home he co-led a weekly worship session with his guitar for some people from church. As that was fading out for various reasons, the covid panic hit and ended the meetings for sure.

Nowadays I can call my brother when I am upset or hurting and pour out my heart and even cry while he listens attentively, responds with godly wisdom, and then prays with me. I hang up the phone feeling encouraged, blessed, strengthened and so very thankful. And he often surprises me with a gift in the mail: a book, a card, a gift card! He insists on letting it be known that this new way of being is something God has put in him, not anything he created himself, only a decision to follow the Holy Spirit's leading.

As a last note of full disclosure, Gary continues to take a tiny portion of his old medication just because his body and brain are so used to it and he doesn't want to "mess" with that, but it is a further reduced amount which he takes at bedtime as a sleep aid. Sweet dreams! Miracles do happen!

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For Those Who Are Interested in Speculating about a Spiritual World Existing Around Us

I have formally studied psychology and psychiatry at Simon Fraser University and followed that with an insatiable appetite for informal study of psychology, consuming it whenever and wherever I can. So, I am well aware of brain chemistry and the effects of trauma on a person's mind. And Gary did tell me that when our little sister Sandy was hit and killed by a drunk driver, he felt something "switch" in his brain. That was approximately two years before he first started sporadically hearing the voices. He is not sure of the exact starting time; it may have been only one year after Sandy's death. Our tragic loss hit us all hard, but it seems to have set him on the path previously described in earlier posts.

Because of my own experiences with spiritual activity and interference, I am convinced that mental illness is not always strictly brain chemistry and damaged emotions; in my observations and studies it looks more like a combination of body, soul and spirit, with soul being defined as "mind, will and emotions."

Included in my studies was the School of Personal Ministry which taught how trauma can be a draw for unwanted spiritual activity, as can be dabbling in the various forms of spiritual traditions and practices such as Transcendental Meditation. Since Gary experienced both of these and because of the apparent cruel personalities possessed by the tormenting voices (so painful that he will not share what they said) in my opinion, there is a strong possibility that the 'Voices' belonged to some spiritual entities bent on his destruction. I would go so far as to call it demonic. As Gary would say: Your choice! Believe as you wish, but remember--our beliefs direct our lives and have clear consequences, be they beneficial or harmful.