It started with lethargy. No matter how much I slept, I continued to feel tired and irksome. And the bad moods were not just cyclical—they lasted longer and longer, indicating that there was something more serious going on in me.

But I could not put a finger on it. When my relationship with a significant other failed and the constant job-hopping made things even worse, it was then that I knew my mental health was in bad shape.

So began the first round of visits to the doctor. The psychologist diagnosed me with anxiety and clinical depression. At the time, it was still considered in the mild stages, so I relied heavily on counselling, without needing to consult a psychiatrist.

Little did I know that much later, I would be diagnosed with schizophrenia, and have to spend several months in a psychiatric ward. Neither did I know that I would need to rely on daily medication as well.

Naturally, my parents were devastated. They understood the implications of the diagnosis, and knew what it would mean to care for an adult child with schizophrenia. They were also concerned that this new “friend” of mine would be around long after they were gone.

When I received my diagnosis as a schizophrenic, I cried and prayed a lot.

Meditating on these simple lines of truth helped me to cling on to every ounce of hope I had, especially when I felt like the world was against me and all was lost. “My heavenly Father is in control, His plan will be accomplished, and He will grant me what I need,” I would tell myself.

In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus told His disciples not to worry about what they would drink, eat, and wear. That spoke to me: because of my condition, I was forced to leave full-time employment so that I could seek treatment, and this caused me to feel worried and anxious.

By God’s grace, however, I was given some contacts for freelance writing jobs, which helped me supplement my savings.

Turning to Scripture not only helped me to stop dwelling on my immediate problems, it also strengthened and nurtured my relationship with Christ. As I recited passages, I meditated on the goodness of God, and how He would accompany me through the battlefield in my mind.

One notable verse that the Holy Spirit frequently brings to my mind is Psalm 23:4:

As my diagnosis felt like a death sentence, this resonated deeply with me. It showed me that even death was something I did not need to be afraid of. It reminded me that even in the most desperate of situations, God is always with me and I can trust in Him to guide me through any obstacles. Not only that, it encouraged me to continue searching for the “light” in His presence.

Despite having been diagnosed with schizophrenia, I wanted to appear as normal as possible to those around me. I wanted to be treated with the same level of respect as any other person.

My close friends rallied around me and gave me ample space to fight my own battles. Now and then, I would reach out to them, and we would have heartfelt discussions about the ups and downs of daily life. It reminded me that God really cares for me: He put the right people around me so that I could conquer this illness. The support from my friends became immensely valuable, assuring me that

I also tried to keep myself busy every day, while making sure to get sufficient rest and exercise. I would listen to sermons and read inspirational stories about others like myself, who eventually recovered and went on to live healthy, happy lives.

When I think about how far I’ve come on this journey, I cannot help but tear up a little. God is truly present, even when we feel otherwise. He has helped me rediscover the parts of myself that exude resilience and toughness, and made me an advocate for the importance of good mental health. Moreover, He has shown me that because He hears and answers our prayer, anything is possible.

I am continually strengthened by the promise in Philippians 1:6, that God

This reminds me that I am still a work in progress; God is working continually in me, and I am somebody who is on the way to full recovery.

Through it all, I have learnt that God listens to and answers prayers; He has never left nor forsaken me. God has helped me see the “light” at the end of the tunnel. If you are going through a similar struggle, I believe that God will do the same for you!