Bipolar Missionary: Healing the Past-Shaping the Future

by Paul Samuels

Paul Samuels writes his first-person story with a vulnerability that welcomes others into his life who may face post-traumatic stress, addictions, a painful childhood, suicide attempts, shame, emotional distress, and physical abuse. For everyone-and their families-whose mountains are too high and valleys too low, his personal history is a difficult one, yet a narrative overflowing with hope and healing. With suicides, emotional distress, and despair becoming more familiar with the military, young people, and even pastors and ministry leaders, Bipolar Missionary is timely. His undiagnosed mental illness later in life answered many questions. Paul rips open his past based on his life verse in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 "praising the God of all comfort" and to "comfort others with the comfort we have been comforted with." Although Paul is not a psychiatrist he matches his first-person story with practical ideas. His words are eloquent yet down to earth, sometimes raw yet tasteful. His past is healed, his future is shaped. His hope is that yours will be too!

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2020

Reviews

[J.A.C Workplace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-detailed and honest story of Paul Samuels, As he narrated his life journey in this nonfiction genre titled: Bipolar Missionary: Healing the Past, Shaping the Future. Portraying his mistakes, pains, and memories of his past. Putting in the spotlight how his Jewish family originated from Russia running away from their unending strive for survival in search of a greener pasture, with their mind set on settling in America. Paul is the second son out of five children, he was often abused by his father and bullied in school and these enveloped him in a depressing and love-deprived atmosphere and made him live in fear.

Paul's painful experiences lead to mental disturbances, And he was later diagnosed with "Bipolar disorder''. A mental illness triggered by a high state of depression and mental isolation. He sought different ways of escape from this ever-hunting illness, In the likes of bad smoking habits, uncontrollable sexual habits, and even suicide attempts. He also got involved in missionary duties, Though along the way he was winning but occasionally fell into the deep pit of failure which pushes him back into a state of despair. Thanks to his ever-supporting wife and caring friends he was often rescued from most of these attacks. But is Paul going to ever overcome this tormenting illness? And how will he overcome it? Read to unveil.

The beginning of this book deserves a huge reward for such a grand entry, as the first words of chapter one engrossed me, throwing me speedily into deep suspense. And I must undoubtedly say that I was overwhelmed when I sighted the beautiful family picture at the beginning of the book, with so much love and bond shown, including the touching quote describing the picture. This book is one of its kind, so educative, informative, and a direct message of reassurance to those who are in a deep state of depression or haunted by their pasts and uncontrollable bad habits.


The author disclosed realistic facts, like how sadly some respected men in the society like pastors and military leaders struggle with mental and emotional illness. I surely have an endless list of what I love about this book, but I will not fail to mention just a few. Without a doubt, I liked that the author gave a full breakdown of the disease "Bipolar disorder''. As he listed symptoms of the illness and possible ways to overcome it, the author has the ability to retrace the exact point from where he diverted from while narrating the plot. Likewise, The author making available references for further research made the book more educative and encourages personal discovery.

I didn't discover any errors, which prostrates that the book was excellently edited. However, as I couldn't find anything displeasing about this book, am giving it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. In addition, I must applaud the resourceful skill of inputting poems at various points of the book to compliment the storyline, it also brought me to the knowledge of new poems.

I recommend this book to researchers and those struggling with one mental illness or the other. Also, those losing the energy to fight against the luring urge of their bad habits. Furthermore increasing the faith of Christians as the book contains countless activities of evangelism.

[Rose Dernoncourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul’s story, and the pain he suffered through abuse, made me cry. It also made me rejoice at the victories! As a Christian, I know we all have our struggles in this life, and we are not perfect, but we are being made perfect in Christ. Everyone has a story. Paul shares his with open honesty and bravery. I have no doubt God will use this book to reach many people, to heal and to restore. Thank you for sharing your story Paul.

[Maggi McCutchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent First Person Narrative of living with Bipolar Syndrome

I would recommend this book to anyone who knows someone living with this “unseen”disease or anyone who desires to know what it Is like. Mr. Samuels has shared with great vulnerability his life of suffering as he has battled bi-Polarism. Easy to understand for the layperson. It is also a wonderful sharing of God’s power in the life of a man who felt totally unable to overcome this disease. I recommend it highly ..