Written by Desiree Bentel
Article originally featured in the November 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine
I have lived with bipolar disorder for many years, about 33 years, to be more exact. I remember reading the books written by Joni Eareckson Tada, who became a quadriplegic after a diving accident. Her books were very inspiring. She asked God to heal her, but He didn’t. Instead, she writes books, paints with her mouth, speaks to people around the world, and gives her amazing testimony. She says that she would rather do what she does now, as she grows in Christ, than be physically healed and return to how she was before. Much like Paul in the New Testament, when he asked God to heal a physical or spiritual affliction known as his “thorn in the flesh”. The Lord answered him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). I have come to believe that even if God does not heal me completely, His grace is sufficient for me. Strangely, through it all, He continues to keep me humble.
Learning what truly matters
As I look back on my years of ups and downs, there were moments of being “full of myself”. I remember my brother’s friend telling me that my brother called me a “winner”. That made me feel very special, and it made me want to continue winning in everything I took part in, as I often did. I came to realise that a person with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control was worth so much more than a person who simply wins in this world. These, as you will know, are the fruit of the Spirit. Recently, a minister friend taught me that for this fruit to grow in our lives, we need to submit to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work in us. Jesus has given us the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, yet He will never force Himself upon us.
Living faithfully with bipolar disorder
With my chemical imbalance, Jesus continues His work in me, and nothing is impossible for Him. When I was diagnosed at Tara Hospital, I saw a wonderful psychiatrist who balanced my medication. She told me that I must remember three things: I have bipolar disorder; I must take my prescribed medication for the rest of my life; and I must do that and live my life. I’ve been taking my medication ever since, even though there are many tablets to take. I’ve been living life to the fullest, and I don’t speak about my mental struggles unless I need to, because there are so many other wonderful aspects of life to focus on. I always speak to Jesus about my trials. Sometimes I type a letter to Him and then delete it, and I watch the strength and understanding He gives me to carry on. I hold on to what I can do, and I do it; I let go of what I can’t do anymore. I do the right things: get enough rest, avoid coffee and alcohol, eat well, accomplish whatever I can, feed on the Word through sermons and Bible reading, read and write, and have as much good interaction with people as I can, especially those closest to me. I’m blessed.
Finding hope in others
During my studies, I read about well-known people whose lives have been associated with bipolar disorder, including some who have spoken publicly about their diagnosis and historical figures whom biographers have retrospectively linked with the condition. These included Mel Gibson, Ernest Hemingway, Vivien Leigh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Winston Churchill, and Russell Brand. Reading about people who had achieved so much while facing their own struggles gave me hope and inspiration. After feeling humbled by my own diagnosis, it reminded me that bipolar disorder did not have to define what I could achieve.
Holding on to God’s Word
To everyone living with bipolar disorder, remember that God loves you dearly and offers many avenues of restoration and wholeness. Look for beautiful verses in the Bible and listen to the teachings of Jesus. I’d like to share three Scriptures that have encouraged me: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”
(1 Pet 5:6-7). “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39). “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psa 34:18). There is also so much wisdom to discover in the teachings and parables of Jesus throughout the New Testament.
Growing in Him
There are many other treasures in God’s Word that need to move from our minds to our hearts as we become who He intended us to be. His truth helps to steady us and shape us increasingly into the people He has called us to be. These are prescriptions from Him for all His children. Amen.
This article appears in the November 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine. Read the digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
Click here to KEEP UPDATED on the latest news by subscribing to our FREE weekly newsletter.
> Please support Christian media and journalism in South Africa. Help us to spread the Word of God and take a stand for the truth by making a donation to our ministry. We appreciate your support. Click here to take hands with JOY! Magazine.
Date published: 26/10/2026
Feature image: Sourced from article originally published in the November issue of JOY! Magazine
DISCLAIMER
JOY! News is a Christian news portal that shares pre-published articles by writers around the world. Each article is sourced and linked to the origin, and each article is credited with the author’s name. Although we do publish many articles that have been written in-house by JOY! journalists, we do not exclusively create our own content. Any views or opinions presented on this website are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.
