Willingness and Bipolar Disorder

I am so excited! I have written several Christian books that are going to be published soon and will be available to you. They are inspirational and encouraging and will give you hope as you try to manage your bipolar disorder. It's amazing what God can do with us if we're just willing.

Willingness. Sometimes we just don't want to do the things we need to do to manage our bipolar disorder (or our lives), but we still need to do them. The difference between willingness and unwillingness will make the difference in how easy or hard it is to get them done.

We may not like what we have to do, but we should be willing to do it. Like take our medications every day, see the psychiatrist and therapist, eat and sleep right, and exercise. If we have a willingness, we will have a much better attitude about it.

Like, look what God is doing in my life right now. I have wanted to be a published author since I was in 6th grade. It is so very exciting to think that that dream is finally going to come true! Do I believe that willingness has something to do with it? Yes, I do. Because as long as I am willing to take care of my bipolar disorder and do the things I need to do, I will stay stable. Then there's no telling how many books I can write, how many people I can inspire, how much I can accomplish! I believe that God honors that willingness.

Today I am willing to do whatever it takes to manage my bipolar disorder. I never want to go back to having those mood swings, or pay the consequences of bipolar episodes.

But because I am willing today, I have a positive attitude. I am able to love myself and others, to be productive and healthy. My life is a very good one now.

Willingness takes humility, however. You can't have a willing attitude and yet still want things your own way all the time. It means compromise. Like "agreeing to disagree" rather than fight over something, even if you are right.

When other people see your willingness, they are more supportive of you as well. I know my husband is of me. When he sees me trying, taking care of myself and doing what I have to do (even though he knows that sometimes I don't feel like it), he's behind me 100 percent. I mean, he's behind me anyway, he is my primary supporter, but it takes some of the burden off him when I take care of myself, make sure my own needs are met. He's the same way (he has bipolar disorder as well), and it makes it easier on me when he is willing.

Willingness gets you much further than unwillingness does. When I was unwilling, I had a bad attitude, and everything suffered. I suffered. Today I am willing. And today I no longer suffer. I have a very good life now.

Wishing you peace and stability,

Remember God loves you and so do I,
Michele