“Blessed Are The Crazy”—A Review

Author Sarah Griffith Lund has a gift for sharing her experience, strength, and hope about living with family diagnosed with bipolar.

“Expressions of solemn testimony have long been

important to the children of God upon the earth.”

~ Joseph B. Wirthlin

We all have a story. Some of us have had to endure hardships that produce long-lasting scars. Others of us have borne witness to those we love who are struggling to maintain some semblance of normalcy in their lives. Whatever the case, our stories are what make up the fabric of who we are as individuals.

Testimony can also be an important part of one’s spiritual and religious life. Bearing witness to how God has intervened to bring healing is a common thread amongst the multitude of testimonies that have been shared since Biblical times.

For example, Philippians 1:12 states, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.”

This idea of testimony is the cornerstone of the book by Rev. Sarah Griffith Lund, Blessed Are The Crazy: breaking the silence about mental illness, family and church. (Chalice Press, 2014)

Sarah shares her experience as a family member whose father, brother, and cousin have all been affected by mental illness. She uses the phrase, “crazy in the blood,” to describe how families can be touched by mental illness. When Sarah uses the term, “crazy” she is not doing so in a pejorative manner. In fact, what she expresses is that by acknowledging that many, if not most of us, live with a mental health disorder or have at least one family member who does, we can break down the silence and stigma that have many times been shrouded in secrecy.

Sarah truly bares her soul and provides a first-person account of what it was like to have a father and brother living with bipolar disorder as well as a cousin who lived with a mental health condition. She begins her story by giving examples of living with her father whose unpredictable behavior wreaked havoc on her family’s life and his progressive descent into madness. She also recounts her brother’s struggles with the same condition as well as what it was like to be her cousin’s spiritual advisor.

But along with her story of pain, she shares her experience of developing a personal relationship with God and how this grew into her eventual ordination into ministry. Sarah’s testimony of her journey is one that is a story of how faith can help a person get through the most difficult of times.

However, that’s not all. Sarah goes a step further to speak about the institution of the church and how many of these places of worship are not welcoming of individuals living with mental illness. She offers a sharp criticism of how some churches deal with the issue of mental illness whether it be by encouraging people to stop taking medication and relying solely on prayer or that possession by a demon is the root cause of one’s malady.

This challenge raises many questions about what those who are members of a faith community can do to be more caring and compassionate. Her response to these questions is found in the book’s appendix where she shares “Ten Steps in Developing a Mental Health Ministry in Your Congregation.” These practical suggestions are a great starting point for churches to become more accepting of those living with mental illness.

Sharing my testimony is liberation. It sets me free from my prison of fear, shame, and pain, and opens the door to new hope, healing and love. There is a lesson in this for all of us, whether we be believers or not. As a society we need to create a dialogue about mental illness and not be afraid to tell our stories. And by doing so we can find peace within ourselves.

In summary, Sarah states the following, “Sharing my testimony is liberation. It sets me free from my prison of fear, shame, and pain, and opens the door to new hope, healing, and love.” There is a lesson in this for all of us, whether we are believers or not. As a society, we need to create a dialogue about mental illness and not be afraid to tell our stories. And by doing so we can find peace within ourselves.

I highly recommend Blessed Are The Crazy, whether you be a believer or not, Sarah has a gift for sharing her experience, strength, and hope so that others can be empowered to do the same.