Tamara Johnson On Her Book, Hope and Healing Through Mental Illness
Mental Illness is very prominent in our society today. With all the natural disasters, sickness, the unemployment rate being at an all-time high, and many other problems in our world, many people are experiencing symptoms of mental illness. Whether it is depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, or other mental disorders, people are looking for a way out. Tamara Johnson, a mother, evangelist, author, and an overcomer of mental illness, is a beacon of hope in today’s world. She wants the world to know that through Jesus Christ, they can be completely healed and set free from mental illness.
In February 2005, after a night of partying, Tamara thought she was experiencing a heart attack and began to call on the name of Jesus. This event led to a spiritual awakening. “I went from drinking and partying every day to talking about Jesus was coming back, and people better get ready.” She experienced this for 7-days. Tamara concluded that week by partying with friends. “While partying, I heard the spirit say, Get out of there. I didn’t understand what was going on. I ran out of the trailer to the street and stopped. Then I heard another voice, different from the first, evil sounding, “You better go back. They gone think you crazy.” I went back in the trailer with my friends and sat down. They were all trying to calm me down when I heard the Lord speak again, “I told you, get out of there.” I ended up running out of the trailer, down the street, and had a spiritual experience where I ended up in the hospital and spent my first stay on the 10th floor, which is the floor for people with a mental health condition.” This was when Tamara was diagnosed with bipolar schizophrenia.
Within a year of Tamara’s hospital release, she found her church home, Glory to Glory Holiness Church, under the leadership of Pastor Wilbert and Co-Pastor Rebecca Lafleur. “I was a baby in Christ.” She continues, “This is where the enemy started trying to confuse me into thinking God was telling me to do things. Many things happened that year. Then it all climaxed in Apr. 2006 after having a baby.” Tamara recounted hearing voices, spirits and felt tormented. “The enemy came against my mind. I believed the lie that God wanted me to sacrifice my life for generations.” In a suicide attempt, Tamara willingly ran into the street and was hit by an SUV. She thought that for her sacrifice, she would wake up in heaven.
Tamara ended up on the 10th floor of the hospital for the third and last time.” This time, I was in the hospital for three weeks and was supposed to go to a mental institution. But God had other plans. My prayer warrior prayed, and God answered her prayer and the prayers of many others praying for me. I supernaturally was released because they had no bed at Pine Ville Mental Institution. I went home, took my medicine, and saw a psychiatrist for a year.” Tamara shares that many things have happened along the way, but she’s learned to know God’s voice and walk after the spirit. “Along my journey, I’ve come to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and have experienced His complete healing and peace of mind. I’ve learned in the Word of God, “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom 10:13.”
Recently, Tamara released her book, Hope and Healing Through Mental Illness, published by Kingdom Life Publishing. The scripturally based book includes Tamara’s testimony of how she found out that there is hope and healing for anyone no matter what they are experiencing because Jesus can set them free. “I share how the Lord has restored me even after a suicide attempt.” She continues, “God has healed me completely. I have peace of mind today, and I’m enjoying life. If God did it for me, He can and will do it for you.”
The Lord also gave Tamara a practical way to explain the spirit of mental illness through her book and how the enemy uses that spirit to come against people’s minds. “This book is a tool to help the believers who understand spiritual things and help the unbeliever understand their need for salvation and that they can be completely healed and set free by Jesus Christ.”
Today’s Purpose Woman continues the conversation with Tamara.
What were some of the steps you took both practical and spiritually to become healed?
I had to come to accept that I had gone through something. Although spiritual, I took medicine and saw a psychiatrist for a year after my ordeal.
What do you want your testimony to do for others?
I want others to know they can be completely healed and set free from mental illness. They can have the life of peace and freedom I’m experiencing today because of the Power and love of God for His children.
Some shy away from getting help, I.e., Christian counseling, medication, etc., because they feel outside help shows a lack of faith in God. What advice can you give those who think this way?
God can use whatever He chooses to bring about our healing. We know scripture says in Heb. 11:6, “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Whether it’s medicine, doctors, or the hospital, you have to believe that God will work out the situation to bring about healing and deliverance. Also, God gives us wisdom, James 1:5, so when we pray and ask God for help, He will lead us to whatever we need.
What advice would you give those feeling like they will never see the light in their current tunnel?
There is always hope in Jesus Christ. Although God used doctors and medicine, only God brought about my total and complete healing from what I went through, and if He did it for me, He can and will do it for you if you only believe. Trust God, and don’t give up. Do your part in getting the help you need. Talk to someone, a doctor, family member, Pastor; don’t keep what’s going on with you to yourself, and you will come out in the end. Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
Is there anything else pressing in your spirit to share?
A lot is going on in our world today. As Christians, we know that we are in the last days, and the devil is going around like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour 1 Peter 5:8. Mental illness is one of his biggest weapons, but the Word of God will defeat him every time (Is 54:17). A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is our only hope and way out of anything we go through in this life. John 3:16
Tamara’s book, Hope and Healing Through Mental Illness, is available on Amazon. You can connect with Tamara on Instagram @tamarathomas886, Facebook: Tamara Thomas, Youtube: Tamara Saved and Sanctified
