More Than Conquerors

26 July 2025

My bipolar disorder blog featured in a newspaper in Singapore

(This post was first posted on 25 January 2011)

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by! Thank God for seeing us through almost a month in this new year.

Several months ago a reporter from a local newspaper here in Singapore, the Straits Times, approached me for an interview regarding this blog on Bipolar Disorder - More Than Conquerors: (http://www.mylifewithbipolardisorder.com/). She was writing on how blogging help people cope with chronic illnesses and asked if I could share my story so that it can help others.

This interview was published a few days ago in The Sunday Times, 23 January 2011, Lifestyle section, page 9, and thank God for several readers in Singapore who wrote to let me know they appreciate my sharing of my own experiences plus the resources available. They themselves or their loved ones too suffer from bipolar disorder.

♥ I thank God that I can testified of His goodness and mercies to me through this blog. He is the One Who sustains me daily and enable me to cope and live a useful life for Him. Thank God that He is with us through all the changing scenes in life and He is working all things for His glory and our good. He promised that His grace is sufficient for us. He is my greatest comfort, peace and strength daily.

♥ I thank God for my family, my Church brethren and friends who love and accept me, pray for me and support me in my time of need. I am thankful to God for the joy and privilege of being acquainted with several people who are also suffering from bipolar, depression and other chronic illnesses and to be able to pray, support, encourage and learn from one another. I thank God for everyone of you, my dear blogging friends, and for your prayers and encouragements. They mean a lot to me. You have made a great difference in my life and used by God to encourage me and show me His love by your friendship and encouraging notes. You are in my thoughts and prayers too.

I thank God that I am in a community of people who love God and love me, who accepts me in my illness and weaknesses, and continue to extend their love and friendship to me. To the Lord and to all of you I owe a debt I cannot repay.

Thank you once again for all your prayers as I seek to walk with our Lord and serve Him within these limitations. Through your support, prayers and encouragements, God makes blogging therapeutic to me. It not only allows me to share my thoughts and feelings, and journal them as a form of reminder of God's goodness, it also encourages me through your friendships, prayers and encouragements. I am encouraged whenever I remember that there are people who care and are praying for me, and I am not alone.

♥ I am thankful to God that besides my personal sanctification and leading me to know more of His love, grace and mercies daily, He has opened a door of usefulness for me even through this condition and this blog. Since this blog was started in 2008, several readers from different parts of the world have also written to me to share their experiences and to let me know how the resources shared on my blog have helped them.

♥ May God be glorified through this blog. May He continue to use it to help others and their loved ones who are suffering in these ways and in need. Hope our Lord will lead some to come to find peace and comfort in the Lord too.

To God be the glory.

If you are in Singapore and looking for a Church or a Reformed Church, do come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), for worship and fellowship: (https://pilgrim-covenant.com/). Our address is Block 203B (Tower B) #07-07, Henderson Road, Singapore 159546. We are a Reformed and reforming Church founded on 4 July 1999 in Singapore. We are at the moment a small congregation covenanted to serve and worship the Lord together as a branch of the body of Christ. We have a Gospel work in the state of Johor, JB, Malaysia ie Johor Bahru Christian Fellowship (JBCF): https://pilgrim-covenant.com/about-us/johor-bahru-covenant-fellowship-malaysia/. You can also join us online for our Morning and Evening worship services: (https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/).

In His blessed care,

Nancie

25 January 2011

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

COMMENTS

1 Wendy, January 25, 2011 at 9:59 PM

Nancie,

Wow! That is so exciting that you and your blog were featured in the newspaper! Praise the Lord! May the article be used to glorify the Name of the Lord Jesus and to help others with bipolar to see that they, too, can live productive lives, to the glory of God. You are an awesome example to me of faith, consistency (your blog posts reflect a consistent theme of gratefulness, and praise to our Almighty God!), gratefulness, hopefulness, and perseverance. I love you, my sister in the Lord, and am so grateful to God that I have been able to meet you through blogging, and to call you my friend! It is very fun to see a picture of you, for I have often wondered if I would ever "meet" you in person, and what you would look like. I look forward to seeing you someday, whether here on earth or in heaven! I am very happy for you on this event!

Greatest blessings,

Wendy Gunn

Nancie, January 26, 2011 at 6:18 PM

Hi Wendy,

Thank you for sharing the encouraging article on praying. It is a mercy that we can call upon God and offer our praise and thanksgiving to Him for His goodness to us and also to commit our loved ones and all things to Him in prayers. Thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ has opened that way by the sacrifice He made for us upon the cross. And He is our greatest Intercessor and Advocate daily always waiting to present the prayers of those who come to God through Him. This is such an encouragement! Thank and praise our Lord!

Many thanks for your visits, prayers and encouragements. Thanks for your very heart-warming and encouraging comment! It is always so good to hear from you and your comment always make my day :) I thank God that we can "meet" through blogging. You are also a shining example to me of a person who loves the Lord and lives for His glory. I look forward to meet you one day too in person whether here on earth or in heaven! May God continue to shower His love and many blessings upon you. Take care.

Warm regards,

Nancie

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2 Unknown, January 26, 2011 at 12:21 AM

I spent alot of time talking today about bipolar disorder and the help that is available....when accepted.

Blessings to you,

Happy WFW

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3 Joan Hall, January 26, 2011 at 4:21 AM

Nancie:

It certainly is exciting to know of your blog being featured in the newspaper. I thank God for women like you, who are not afraid to share their problems, needs, situations...and through it all you glorify God! I pray that not only many who also face bi-polar will be helped and encouraged, but also that many will come to know the hope we have in Christ.

Blessings to you,

Joan

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4 Donna, January 26, 2011 at 5:25 AM

First congratulations that your blog was featured in the newspaper! And thank you for sharing your verses and graphics today. I am thankful that we have a God who is always there for us, no matter what and His grace is sufficient. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us. I believe it is helping many people who have the same journey as you.

Blessings to you this WFW!

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5 Mary, January 26, 2011 at 5:29 AM

Praise God that you are able to help others Nancie. Thank you for sharing. And am thankful with you that you are an overcomer!! Blessings to you dear girl.

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6 ozjane, January 26, 2011 at 5:34 AM

Blessings to you.

I am divorced because my ex left me as he spiraled into breakdown.

And I could do nothing but walk through it with God's grace.

He let his intellect guide him as he turned from faith to self help.

Keep looking to Jesus

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7 Spin, January 26, 2011 at 6:54 AM

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Love to you!

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8 Michelle-ozark crafter, January 26, 2011 at 7:43 AM

Hello sweet sister friend! I am glad to see you were featured in the paper. More people need to be aware of what it is like to live as we do. Love and huggles.

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9 marja, January 26, 2011 at 8:12 AM

So neat, Nancie. This is so exciting, isn't it? I hope lots more people find your blog as a result and that they will be helped.

May God bless you.

Love,

marja

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10 lori, January 26, 2011 at 8:18 AM

Wow Nancie....

Just another testimony to how what the enemy intends to use to destroy God uses for GOOD...and your article will touch lives you are never aware of...what a ministry.

Thank you for sharing this...

peace to you on the journey!

lori

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11 Heather Hart, January 26, 2011 at 9:01 AM

How wonderful that your blog was featured! That's awesome!

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12 Alida Sharp, January 26, 2011 at 10:31 AM

Congratulations on your blog being featured in the paper!

And I love the photos with the verses... thank you!

Happy WFW!

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13 Peggy, January 26, 2011 at 2:18 PM

Blessings Nancie and congratulations!

WOW! that is exciting and a great way to share on this to many and also a wonderful photo of you! You are an exemplary blogger of faith and trust and this honors God greatly! You are definitely MORE THAN A CONQUEROR! I know that this will bring glory to God! Your beautiful grateful heart and creative work is a blessing to many!

Your beautiful words to me were such a bright light to my day! Just to see you functioning always blesses me and you are clearly doing much better!

Your photos and scripture verses

truly exalt God at work in you and through you as we pass through the waters, we can rely that He is there...or the fire or the storm or the empty moments... whatever! It is because of your grateful heart that you continue to move two steps forward and hopefully no more backward ones. But I'm thankful that His grace is sufficient for you and me!

You have such a personal witness of God in your triumphs and also in your defeats you hold on to His Word and your heart is ever towards Him! I consider this an honor to know you and love you as my little sister! Your thankfulness is always so beautiful and how evident His Holy Spirit lifts you beyond the weight of bipolar. Your words glorify God as He strengthens you and holds you close! You bring great JOY to my heart and life!

Blogging is therapeutic for all of us, not just people with mental health issues. I accept you and your wise words because of who you are in Christ Jesus! I give Him thanks and praise for defeating and giving you strength to battle the highs and the lows. He is our balance! His Word is our daily medicine and there is healing in His wings! You share much wisdom and knowledge here that many can

receive and use! Not enough people visit and take the time to read, but I have and you know that you are such an enrichment and blessing to me! You encourage me in how you press on and persevere! May God continue to reward you! May this be just the beginning! May all surround you and support you as God continues His good work in us both!

May His blessings reign over you and stir you to continue with passion your artistic and ministry for His Namesake!

Indeed to God be the glory!!!

Love you so much and rejoicing with you,

Peggy

*sending a BIG hug and WOO HOO! Filled with love, peace, and JOY!

Great is Our Lord and greatly to be praised now and forever. Bless you for your beautiful message to me!

I treasure every word!

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14 Georgia, January 26, 2011 at 6:02 PM

wow! i am so proud of you for making this blog and getting published. you do have so much to be thankful for!

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Nancie, January 26, 2011 at 6:28 PM

Hi Lois,

Thanks for sharing about the transforming work of God in our lives. It is such an encouragement and blessed hope that our Lord Jesus Christ not only transformed us into a new person when we trusted in Him but is continuing to transform us daily to be more and more like Him and there is a future transformation when finally we see Him in Heaven one day. We shall enjoy His love and worship together with all His people without hindrances of sin and remaining corruptions. What a blessed hope!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. May God bless your week!

Warm regards,

Nancie

Nancie, January 26, 2011 at 6:33 PM

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Hi Joan,

I am praying for you and your husband. Thank God for giving you peace. Thank God that He is with us and He gives us peace through all the changing scenes in life. Thanks for your visit and kind encouragements! May God continue to keep you close to Him and fill you with His peace and many blessings. Take care.

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Nancie, January 26, 2011 at 6:39 PM

Hi Donna,

Thank God that we have a God who hears our prayers and answer them in His own time and in His own wonderful ways. Truly our soul can never stop longing for our Lord to fill us with Himself and His love. Our soul is restless until we find our rest in Him. Like you, I too desire a closer walk with the Lord daily. Thank you for sharing with us. Thanks for your visit and encouragements. May God continue to draw you closer to Him and answer your prayers in His wonderful ways. Take care!

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 6:43 PM

Hi Mary,

Thank our Lord Jesus Christ that we have true freedom in Him! Lovely picture and verse. Thanks for sharing with us. Thanks for your visit and encouragement. It's nice to hear from you. Take care and may God shower His many blessings on you.

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 6:53 PM

Hi Ozjane,

Truly God is faithful. He hears our prayers and knows what is best. He answers them in His timing and according to His wills. Thanks for your visit and sharing. Take care!

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 6:57 PM

Hi Spin,

I am praying for you. May God continue to heal you and fill you with His love and grace. Don't give up. Hang in there! He is faithful and He promised His grace is sufficient for us. Thanks for your visit and and encouragement. Take care!

Love to you too,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Hi Michelle,

Slyvia is so cute! Thanks for sharing this sweet picture. It brings a smile to me :) Keep up your good work on the wolf! Glad you are enjoying it. It takes a lot of patience.

Love and huggles to you too,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 7:04 PM

Marja,

I thank God that He led me to your blog. The Canadian lady mentioned in the newspaper clip was referring to you :) I am so thankful we met through blogging and I have been so blessed by your sharing. Your love for our Lord and His grace in enabling you to live a useful live for Him, is a constant encouragement to me. Your giving of yourself selflessly in helping others at Living Room gives me the motivation to reach out and help others too.

Thank God that He is the One Who sustains us and gives both of us grace to live for Him. May others too come to know the peace and comfort in Him.

Thanks again for all your prayers and encouragements. May God continue to keep you near to Him, bless your walk with Him and make you a blessing to others.

Love to you too,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 7:08 PM

Hi Lori,

Thanks for sharing the lovely picture and all the encouraging verses. They are such precious reminders of what we are in Christ. May He enable us to live for His glory by His grace. Thanks for your visit and encouragements. Take care.

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 7:13 PM

Hi Harter,

I am praying for you. Glad you are feeling better. May God continue to restore you. I am so thankful too for the many wonderful people I have met through blogging and all their encouragements. It's such a great blessing that you have the encouragement of the homeschooling mums. Thanks for your visit and encouragement. Take care!

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 7:16 PM

Hi Alida,

Thank God that He is our Teacher and Guide, and we can look to Him and rest in Him daily! Thanks for your visit and encouragement! Take care.

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 7:20 PM

Hi Peggy,

Thanks for your visit and encouragements! It is always so nice to hear from you :) Thank you for your many kind words of encouragements! Truly Great is Our Lord and greatly to be praised now and forever!

The verses you shared from James are so encouraging. They are such precious reminders when we go through difficult times. It is a comfort that God is with us through all the changing scenes in life and we can rest in Him and rejoice in Him no matter what we go through. He enables us to grow in Him through the trials in our life and He gives us wisdom and grace to go through them. I thank God for His many goodness and mercies to me as I battle with bipolar and other challenges in my life.

I am so thankful to God that through blogging I have "met" you and many wonderful friends. Thank God for all of you. Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragements. May God continue to make you a blessing to many.

Take care and blessed New Year to you in 2011!

Love to you too,

Nancie

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Nancie January 26, 2011 at 7:31 PM

Hi Georgia,

Thank God for protecting your husband. I am too for the other families. May they know His mercies and comfort. We may not understand at times why God allows certain things in our life but if we belong to Him, we can have the firm assurance that He loves us and is in total control. When we leave this world we enter into our eternal rest yo enjoy His love and worship Him without hindrance.

Thank God for blessing you with a husband who isn't afraid to serve and protect his community. May God continue to protect him and use him as a good witness for Him. May God keep your family close to Him and bless your family with many blessings. Thanks for your visit and encouragement. Take care!

with Warm regards and prayers,

Nancie

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Comments

14 Pia January 27, 2011 at 12:26 AM

nancie, this is so wonderful! you are able to help believers and non believers alike and you are bringing glory to our Lord. i'm so sure that you brought a smile to His face. I am so happy for you. continue what you are doing because you are honoring God and surely you will be blessed.

praising God along with you!

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Comment

15 Nana Jul, January 27, 2011 at 3:58 AM

I think it's amazing that God uses our trials and weaknesses to minister to others! What a great ministry! God bless you HUGE.

Happy TT

Love,

Julie

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Comment

16 Kathryn, January 27, 2011 at 5:29 AM

Amen!! So glad that you are able to share your journey and your faith via your blog! Praise God!

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Comment

17 becky aka theRAV, January 27, 2011 at 10:19 AM

WOW! That is so cool Nancie! Now you are a celb. LOL Loved the picture. I had sort of pictured you like that in my mind's eye. You look like a professional writer. I doubt I could top everyone else comments that I have read here. They have said it all. I am thankful for crossing paths with your blog; for being your blogging friend as you are mine. It was great to "hear" your voice in your post again. I have missed you. I will try to catch up on older posts. Keep up the good work. You are certainly earning your crown in heaven by doing this blog. Thanks for being such an encourager for me and others. Many, many blessings to you.

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Comment

18 Jessica Kramasz, January 27, 2011 at 11:32 AM

Wow! What a wonderful opportunity - Praise the Lord.

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Nancie, January 27, 2011 at 7:02 PM

Hi Pia,

Thank God for providing for your needs. I am so thankful that He provides for me too. Truly He is our Shepherd and we will not lack anything. This is such an encouragement.

Thanks for your visit and many kind words of encouragements! It is so good to hear from you. Thank God that He is the One Who enables me to serve Him in little ways.

Take care and God bless you!

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Nancie January 27, 2011 at 7:07 PM

Hi Julie,

Thank God for blessing you as you seek to serve Him in your various callings! May God continue to use you as an instruments of blessing to many people.

Thanks for your visit and encouragements! It is always so good to hear from you. All praise and glory be to God. Take care. HUGS.

Happy TT

Love,

Nancie

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Comment

19 Grantham Lynn January 27, 2011 at 7:11 PM

Oh what a great post. I am so thankful for blogging too. Isn't it amazing that your blog made the news. Some people have talked about how all this internet stuff is kind of evil. But I see over and over how God is using this amazing medium for us to meet and connect and share Him. I think I met you a year or so ago. Did you make book marks? I think you sent me some! It is great to find you again. Thanks for sharing have a Great Friday.

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NancieJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:12 PM

Hi Kathryn,

It is so wonderful of God to use little Joshua. He is such a sweetie :) Indeed God works in many wonderful ways for us daily. It is encouraging to read of how He leads you and work things out for you. Praise God! Thanks for your visit and encouragements. To God be the glory!

Warm regards,

Nancie

NancieJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:21 PM

Hi Becky,

Thank God for helping you through the week and sending friends to encourage you! These are such precious tokens of love from Him.

Thanks for your visit and many kind words of encouragements! It is always a joy to hear from you and you are truly a Super Encourager! I am so thankful to God that I "met" you through blogging. Isn't He so wonderful to connect us through the internet though we may be separated by seas and mountains? It will be so nice if we can meet in person :) whether here on earth or in heaven one day :)

Take care and many thanks again for your friendship and encouragement. God bless!

Warm regards,

Nancie

NancieJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:25 PM

Hi Redeemed1,

Amen! It's such a great comfort that God is in control and He is unchanging. So thankful to know that He has seen you through a difficult year. He is faithful and His mercies endures forever. Though we may not always understand why He allows us to go through certain difficulties, but we have no doubt at all of His love, sovereignty and that He is working all things for His glory and our good. Yes, it is awesome to serve our Sovereign, Omnipotent, Immutable God!

Thanks for your visit and encouragements. Take care and God bless you and family.

Warm regards,

Nancie

NancieJanuary 27, 2011 at 7:33 PM

Hi Sherry (MyJourneyBack),

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Yes, I do know you and it is indeed so good to be in touch again. I have not been blogging regularly and have lost touch with quite a number of bloggers. Thanks for your visit and words of encouragements.

I am so glad you are serving God in such a wonderful ministry to needy. Keep up your good work for our Lord! May God continue to bless you and the team that is doing this great work. Take care and have a blessed weekend!

Warm regards,

Nancie

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Comment

20 LS and Happy (Serendipity), January 27, 2011 at 11:33 PM

Hi Nancie!

PTL and congrats! It's amazing what God can do in our lives, isn't it? :-) You certainly have been such a blessing to all of us. I've always been very encouraged and uplifted by your posts as your faith is just like Peter walking on water.

Happy barks her congrats to you too and extra wags ;-)

Have a blessed weekend!

P/s: Love the picture of you in the papers. It certainly captures the very mood!

Nancie January 28, 2011 at 5:04 PM

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Hi LS and Happy (Serendipity),

Thank you for you encouragements! You are a Super Encourager too! Thank God for His many mercies. He is the One Who gives me grace and strength to live for Him each day, and also peace and joy in simple ways.

You have been a great blessing to me too and I am so thankful to God that we can meet through blogging. Every visit to your blog brings a smile to me. Hugs to you and Happy :)

Blessed weekend to you too!

PS: I am just a very ordinary person. Any average lady is more beautiful than me :)

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Comment

21 Lynn, February 2, 2011 at 1:45 PM

Wow Nancie,

I'm just getting over here to read this now and I'm so glad I did. I just see the Lord all over your life and your strong witness to His grace and mercy in your heart.

You are an amazing woman and I long to meet you one day face-to-face. Thank you for your vulnerability and your grace. Hugging you tight. Lynn

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Comment

22 Qing, February 7, 2011 at 11:14 PM

Many years back a church friend told me he was suffering from depression but I could not understand what that was. Then it hit me months back and thank God I manage to overcome it quite fast. It seemed to come with a sudden drop in my health. Then I understood why some depressed people would even seek death to escape from it. I heard that HK celebrity Sammy Cheng suffered from it too.

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services : https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

25 July 2025

A Tribute to my Counsellor for professional counselling on Bipolar Disorder and severe clinical depression / major depression

(This post was first published on 4 November 2008)

Dear Friends

Thanks for stopping by. Thank you for your prayers and encouragements.

Today the Lord brought to my remembrance a very dear and wonderful person whom He had used to be a great blessing to me last year.

When I first sought medical help and was diagnosed with clinical depression and Bipolar Disorder (Manic-depressive illness), I had benefitted from a group of counsellors at Counselling and Care Centre, Singapore. I am thankful to God for providing me with a team of very compassionate, kind, understanding and encouraging Christian counsellors who are trained to manage bipolar, depression, OCD and other brain condition.

For me besides prayers, medication, exercise and other helpful means, one very important element in my treatment and recovery was Counselling. Counselling may be talk therapy, psychotherapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It can be one of the very important tools for a person with bipolar or depression to get well. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a form counselling with a focus on understanding how our thoughts affect our behaviours. Bipolar alternates between 2 extreme mood swings ie. mania and depression, and our thoughts and behaviours are shaped by these mania and depression episodes which can at times be very confusing. CBT helps to make sense some of these confusions, and help to pick up skills to manage these mood swings so that one can be more functional.

Through CBT, I do realized that I have quite a number of character traits and faulty thought patterns which might have contributed or aggravated my relapses. They become even predominant during a relapse of clinical depression and all my thoughts turned very negative and against me. I am now learning prayerfully to identify and to correct Faulty Thinking Patterns.

I am also somewhat a perfectionist which means my expectation of myself can be rather high, and indirectly I stressed myself up unknowingly. Besides that, I am not a very assertive person. I have problem saying “no”. So very often I unknowingly put myself through a lot of difficulties or take on more than I can handle. I used to have difficulty relaxing or taking breaks. In some sense, I am a workaholic. I am also fulfilling the role of care-givers in quite a number of context, and having little respite. All of the above or the combinations of some of these, could well have weakened my body and mind, and lead to the relapses of clinical depressions.

I know it is not easy to find a good counsellor and not every one will benefit from counselling or CBT. I am thankful to God for providing for me a very compassionate, kind and caring counsellor, Sarah. My time with my counsellor, Sarah and her team, was most meaningful and useful. Sarah and her team were helping me to trace the history of my relapses in the past 20 years which I could remember better, the possible causes of them so that I can learn to manage my illness better. During the counselling session, I was alone in a room with Sarah while her team were following our sessions in another room through a video recording. These are with my permissions.

In actual fact, Sarah was under training and supervision by her team but I didn't know that part at all. And providentially that worked out good for both of us. I have prayed and God provided Sarah. I didn't have any apprehension about her ability to counsel me and that allows her to be used by God in a very wonderful way to help me.

My time with Sarah became life-changing experiences for me! It began for me a journey of self-discovery, of knowing God, myself and others better. Each session with Sarah and her team have yielded some positive results. Accumulatively, these knowledge of self and God’s mercies in them, are changing my life in many wonderful ways. Thank God! My counselling session ended in April 2007 when Sarah who was a trainee at that Centre completed her training. I am deeply indebted to Sarah for the help that she has rendered to me. They have been invaluable to me as I journey on.

At the moment, I am not seeing any professional counsellers. I do seek my Pastor’s counsel and some other friends or family members’ counsels when necessary. I also read books and internet articles to understand my condition better and how best to manage it. Thank God that there are a lot of resources available on the internet. One such website is Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance which has very useful information on symptoms, treatment, resources, etc etc.

I have tried out some other counsellors and am, in particular, indebted to Dr Spencer Lee and Yvonne Ying of Association of Christian Counsellors of Singapore for their valuable helps for some weeks in July and August 2007. They are most compassionate and helpful.

The above counsellors are all trained in cognitive behavioural therapy, etc and they have been helping many people who suffer from depression, bipolar and other mental illnesses. The reasons why I sought their help, besides receiving pastoral counselling from my Pastor, was because I needed someone who understands mental illness and therefore able to help me to manage my illness and symptoms. I am thankful to God for providing them at such times when I needed them the most.

Now I am not seeing any of these professional counsellors but just receiving pastoral counsellings from my Pastor, elders and brethren in my church. I am learning to look to God and use other available means too ie reading God’s Words, prayers, medications, regular exercise, Omega-3 fish oil supplements, learning to manage stressful situations in my life, learn to pace myself more slowly and realistically, learn to take breaks and to relax whenever necessary, etc.

I have written 2 emails to Sarah and a tribute to her as follows:

——

Dear Sarah,

Warm greetings to you in the name of our merciful Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ!

Just a short note to thank you and your team for the help and support you are giving me as I seek the Lord’s guidance to understand and manage my condition better. I really appreciate what you are doing to help me. Your sincerity and warmth really touched my heart. Though we have met only for 3 sessions so far, I thank God that I have been helped by every one of the session. I appreciate what we have been able to discuss so far and the way you & your team are helping me to see things from a different angle. I am learning to be more thankful daily!

I thank God for His goodness and mercies in leading me to your centre and placing me under you and your team. The care and helpfulness of all of you and the other staffs at your centre really impressed me. Thank God for using all of you to help me and others who are in need of help.

May God continue to use you, your team and all the staff at Counselling and Care Centre for His glory. May all of you continue to be used in many wonderful ways to help others and especially God’s suffering people. I am praying for all of you too.

Many thanks again for your enthusiasm to help me and your prayers. It is one of the factors that gives me a lot of encouragement and motivation to come for the sessions. I thank God for you. May you continue to serve our Lord joyfully and faithfully for His glory.

Wish you and your family a blessed Chinese New Year.

With sincere thanks & prayers,
Nancie
15 February 2007

——

Sarah’s reply to me:

Dear Nancie,

Warm greetings to you too in the name of our loving and gracious Saviour, Lord Jesus!

Thank you very much for your lovely, thoughtful and heartwarming email. I am touched by your gracious gesture. It is a privilege to be used by God to extend His presence for His precious ones. And you’ve been a great joy to come alongside with. I thank God too for you and for giving me this privilege.

I am greatly encouraged to hear that you have been helped through our sessions. Your words give me impetus to continue and persevere in the work with and for others in the offering of presence and support .

Thank you for praying for us and your continual prayer support is much appreciated. Glad to hear that you have experienced the help of prayers. Indeed, our Lord is the source and the enabler of all we do. All praise and glory to Him!

I shall relay your email to my team. I am sure each one will be encouraged by your words.

Wishing you and your family a Blessed Chinese New Year too.

With grateful thanks and prayers
Sarah
21 February 2007

—–

Dear Sarah,

Thanks for your kind and encouraging reply! Glad that the email has encouraged you. Thank God.

May you and your colleagues continue to press on in the good work that you are doing for God’s glory. I know your work can be very difficult and draining at times. I am glad you work in a team and can discuss and pray with your colleagues. Do take care and may our Lord continue to bless your labours in Him. May you continue to find much joy in helping and supporting others.

Looking forward to see you again soon on Monday, 26th Feb 2007 for our next session! Trust our Lord will continue to bless our time together. Many thanks again for all your help and support.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

With appreciation,
Nancie

—

A Tribute to my Counsellor, Sarah

16 April 2007 was my last session with my Counsellor, Sarah because she has ended her training attachment and will be returning to her actual work. I am grateful to God for placing me under Sarah’s care for the last 3 months (since 29 January 2007). I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratefulness to Sarah for helping me to embark on a new journey in my life which is changing my life and my relationships with God and the people in my life in many wonderful ways. Sarah, I will never never forget you. I thank God always for you. I hope you get to read this Tribute I have written especially for you. May God bless and keep you.

Dear Sarah,

Warm greetings to you in the name of our beloved Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ!

Thanks once again for your prayers, listening ears, counsels and encouragements. I have learnt much from our sessions together in the last 3 months. Thank you for your willingness to help me and to go along this journey of self-discovery with me. I will forever thank and praise God for you and your team in the way our Lord is wonderfully using you to help me.

I am thankful to God for causing our paths to cross in such a wonderful way at Counselling and Care Centre during your training sessions there. Surely this is not by coincidence but by God’s providence that I should be seeking help at this particular point of time and you should be under attachment there.

I am grateful to God for hearing my prayers and provided someone like you who is very gentle, caring, sympathetic and encouraging to be my Counsellor. You always see something positive and encouraging that God is doing in all my difficult trials. You constantly seek to help me to see the many mysterious outworking of our faithful God, Who loves us dearly and gave His Son for us, in the various paths I have gone through in the past or are going through now. You have helped me to discover some faulty patterns in my thoughts and feelings which have affected my life and various relationships for so many years. Thanks for slowly helping me to recognise these faulty thought patterns, and change these faulty ways of thinking to more biblical ways, by God’s grace. These are beginning to have such tremendous effects on my life, my relationship with God and others around me. I am thankful to God for providing such a help in you and your willingness to walk through this difficult journey with me. By God’s grace, each session yields some positive outcome. Accumulatively, these new discoveries of self and God’s mercies in them, is beginning to change my life in many wonderful ways. I do look forward to each session with you because I get to know myself better each time, can see more clearer God’s love, mercies and faithfulness and am enabled to improve in my relationships with various people, and also learning to improve in managing the various challenges in my life. Thank God for His mercies and faithfulness!

I trust that when you return to your actual work environment, God will continue to use you to be a blessing to others in need just like the way you have been to me. I have no doubt at all that they will be blessed as I am in their acquaintance with you. You are a very special person who is always gentle, kind, encouraging, uplifting, full of faith and hopeful in the Lord. I will never never forget you and hopefully, by the grace of God, will never forget the precious lessons I am now learning through our sessions together too.

Thank you for sharing my joy and sorrows as I recounted my past history to you. I could sense the deep anguish and pain you feel for me in all my sorrows and trials, and also your delight and joy with me in all my joy. I felt very privilege that you cared for me in this way and I thank God for your kind friendship. It is a tremendous source of strength and support to me in this difficult trial. I know you are praying with me and I want to encourage you, as well as give praise and Glory to God, for His faithfulness and mercies by assuring you that the Lord in His faithfulness is strengthening me each day as I look to Him. Thanks for helping me to identify some of the possible causes of the relapses of my illness and discuss with me how I can better manage them. The many precious lessons we have learnt together in the past months is helping me now to cope better with my illness, with the various challenges in my life, and improve in my relationship with God, my church, my family and people around me. Praise God!

It was hard for me to say goodbye to you yesterday, being our last session together but I know it was necessary in God’s sovereign plan for us. I wish we can remain as friends and keep in touch always. But as you have explained to me that due to some professional ethics, yours and my contacts have to be restricted to this centre and as yesterday was our last session together, our contacts have to terminate there too. I hope I will get to meet you again one day, if God wills, on this earth or if not then, by His mercies, in Heaven when we both see our Lord face to face.

Please take care. I will remember you in my prayers always. May God keep you in His loving care always and bless you in all your various callings. May He continue to make you a blessing and encouragement to His suffering children.

With sincere thanks and prayers,
Nancie
17 April 2007

———————-

Contact Information for Counselling Helps

i) Counselling & Care Centre
Block 536 Upper Cross Street
#05-241 Hong Lim Complex
Singapore 050536
Tel: (65) 6536-6366
Fax: (65) 6536-6356
Email : info@counsel.org.sg
Webwsite : www.counsel.org.sg

ii) Association of Christian Counsellors of Singapore
c/o 422-A Telok Blangah Road
Singapore 098848 (Near Grace Methodist Church)
Tel: 6274-7480 Fax: 62760024
Email: info@accs.org.sg
Website: http://www.accs.org.sg/

*************************

If you are in Singapore and looking for a Reformed Church, do come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/. We are a Reformed and reforming Church founded on 4 July 1999 in Singapore. We are at the moment a small congregation covenanted to serve and worship the Lord together as a branch of the body of Christ. We have a Gospel work in the state of Johor, Malaysia ie Johor Bahru Christian Fellowship (JBCF): https://pilgrim-covenant.com/about-us/johor-bahru-covenant-fellowship-malaysia/

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Best Regards

Nancie

4 November 2008

24 July 2025

Reflections on God's grace in recovery from severe clinical depression using injection

Dear Reader,

Yesterday a friend from my Church shared with me his blog. It is very interesting as he shared his reflections on various things in life.

This reminded me that I have not been able to share much reflections in my recent posts. Today I like to write on my reflections of God's goodness and mercies in sustainning me day be day and with the help of a new Injection medicine, the Lord Jesus is lifting me up and I am functional again.

After many years of severe mood swing with prolonged months of clinical depression, I finally sought medical help in December 2006 and was diagnosed to have Major Depression. I was given antidepressent medicines and thank God He restored me from the severe depression where I was very unfunctional most of the time. But 3 months later in March 2007, I experienced a period of euphoria where I could not sleep for several days and have a lot of energy and creativity. When my Psychiatrist saw me, she immediately said I am prone to Bipolar Disorder II (Manic Depressive Illness) and need to change my medication.

Thank God for sustaining me over the last 18 years with medical, counselling, exercise, eating healthy, etc etc. I am currently recovering from an episode of 2 months severe clinical depression where oral medication doesn't seemed to help very much.

A month ago, my Psychiatrist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), Dr Chan Lai Gwen, tried me on an Injection and thank God it is helping me. She had reduced the dosages of some of my medicines twice. My next review is in early August. If I continue to stay well, I will be given this monthly Injection once a month. Thank God!

Spending time in nature and photography are therapeutic to me. So I have been taking short walks to the park near my home and took some photographs. I love to spend time in nature as it always remind me that God is our Creator and Redeemer. I serve a risen Saviour as the Lord Jesus Christ has lived, died and resurrected to redeem me and save me from eternal damnation. In Him, I have hope of eternal life and much blessings in this life and for all eternity. Thank God!

I took the following photos of sunrise when I went for my walk. I love to put Bible verses on them. These are my favourite Bible verses which brings a lot of comfort to me from God's Words.

May you be blessed by God's Words!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Best Regards,

Nancie

22 July 2025

21 July 2025

Sermon "Be watchful when you hear the word because your adversary…" by Pastor Linus Church at PCC Church in Singapore

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Thank God for the encouraging sermon "Be watchful when you hear the word because your adversary…" from God's Words, the Bible, from the book of Matthew 13:18-23 that my Church's pastor, Pastor Linus Chua, preached during the morning worship in my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), Singapore on 20 July 2025 at 9:30am.

Matthew 13:18-23 (King James Version/KJV)
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Sermon Outlines:
Introduction
Be watchful when you hear the Word because your adversary…
1) Seeks to take the Word out of your heart (Matt. 13:19, Mark 4:15,
Luke 8:12)
2) Seeks to keep you shallow and easily shaken by trouble (Matt. 13:20-
21, Mark 4:16-17, Luke 8:13)
3) Seeks to choke you with the cares of the world and riches and
pleasures (Matt. 13:22, Mark 4:18-19, Luke 8:14)
Lessons
Be watchful and prayerful when we hear the Word
Be grateful for our prophet, priest and king, and live gratefully

May you be blessed by God's Words!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Best Regards,

Nancie

21 July 2025

19 July 2025

Mr John B MacArthur had been called Home to be with the Lord on 14 July 2025 at the age of 86.

Dear Family and Friends,

The late Mr John B MacArthur had been called Home to be with the Lord on 14 July 2025 at the age of 86.

Like many people, I have been and continue to be helped by Mr John MacArthur's videos and messages.

Below is a very encouraging message by Mr John MacArthur on how he can be thankful during trials.

He spoke of how he saw the good and kind providential hands of God in everything in his life. Every hard things, every challenge, no matter what the challenges.

He can be grateful because he knows the outcome of everything. He said the outcome of everything is to the glory of God and the benefit of His children.

He made sure he allowed his heart to rejoice in the Lord because he knew God will perfect him and bring glory to Himself through his trials, probably more than any other way.

May you be blessed too if you get to listen to this short message!

May you be blessed by God's Words!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Best Regards,

Nancie

19 July 2025

13 July 2025

Sermon "A Divine Invitation" preached by Pastor JJ Lim from Isaiah 55:1-3 at PCC Singapore

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Thank God for the encouraging sermon "A Divine Invitation" from God's Words, the Bible, from the book of Isaiah 55:1-3 that my Church's pastor, Pastor JJ Lim, preached during the morning worship in my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), Singapore on 13 July 2025 at 9:30am.

Isaiah 55:1-3
1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Sermon Outlines:
A Divine Invitation
Text: Isaiah 55:1-3
Introduction
1. What Kind of Invitation Is This?
2. Who Is This Invitation Issued To?
3. What Are They Invited to Do?
4. How Do We Respond to the Invitation?
Conclusion
a. It is a divine invitation. We cannot ignore it without consequence.
b. All are called, but especially those who agree they are suffering from spiritual thirst.
c. We must drink the water and buy without money the milk and wine that Christ has purchased for us.
d. We must remember and believe all that Christ did for us when He made the purchase.

May you be blessed by God's Words!

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Best Regards,

Nancie

17 July 2025

02 July 2025

"Our heart shall rejoice in Him." Psalm 33:21 from CH Spurgeon's Morning and Evening devotional book, 2 July, Morning.

Dear Reader,

Thanks for stopping by. I read the following encouraging portion from CH Spurgeon. May you be blessed too!

"Our heart shall rejoice in Him." Psalm 33:21

Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and, like many birds, they sing best in their cages.

The waves may roll over them, but their souls soon rise to the surface and see the light of God's countenance;...... and helps them to sing amid the tempest, "God is with me still."

To whom shall the glory be given? Oh! to Jesus--it is all by Jesus.

Trouble does not necessarily bring consolation with it to the believer, but the presence of the Son of God in the fiery furnace with him fills his heart with joy.

He is sick and suffering, but Jesus visits him and makes his bed for him.....

(Excerpts From CH Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, 2 July, Morning.)

Thanks again for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Best Regards,

Nancie

2 July 2025

30 June 2025

Sermon by Pastor Tongkam Pongponsak on "Only the Eternal God Can Satisfy the Eternal Heart" from the Bible text in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11.

Dear Reader,

On 29 June 2025, my Church (Pilgrim Covenant Church) in Singapore, ordained Pastor Tongkam Pongpansak to be our Missionary Pastor to our mission work among the Karen children, youths and community, in MaeSaeRiang, Northern Thailand.

Pastor Tongkam preached the sermon below on "Only the Eternal God Can Satisfy the Eternal Heart" from the Bible text in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 (KJV)
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Sermon Outlines of "Only the Eternal God Can Satisfy the Eternal Heart"
Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Introduction
1. Everything in This World Is Temporary
2. Nothing in This World Can Completely Satisfy Us
3. Man Is Made for Eternity, and Only the Eternal God Can Satisfy Our Hearts
Conclusion

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMlTXFnm9Us

Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Best Regards,
Nancie
29 June 2025

26 July 2025

25 July 2025

24 July 2025

21 July 2025

19 July 2025

13 July 2025

02 July 2025

30 June 2025

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