Years Tormented by His Mind, Healed by God

THE DIAGNOSIS

Though Dayne grew up going to church with his family, and considered himself a believer, he says he didn’t pursue his relationship with Christ until he started college.  Reading the Bible and praying more, Dayne’s identity in God was growing, and he sensed greater hope, joy, and confidence for a once shy, fearful kid.  As his college years continued, though, Dayne admits to becoming obsessed with personal rather than spiritual growth. Reading as many books on the topic as possible, he read less of the Bible.  Along with that shift in focus came changes in his behavior.  “My speech became faster, and I grew more hyper and enthusiastic about everything.  I started to sense a dark presence in my life that I didn’t quite understand.”  Some of those thoughts were delusions of grandeur, Dayne explains, and spiraled into what he describes as a full-blown manic episode.

One day, he decided to take his sister’s car and drive from Scottsdale, AZ to California.  Dayne sped down the highway, clipping the back fender as he merged.  Barely getting control of the car, he pulled over, caught his breath, then decided to get out and run for California.  “After maybe 50 yards I started walking until I heard the sound of police sirens behind me and loud voices saying, ‘Get down on the ground!’”  Handcuffed and taken by ambulance to a behavioral hospital, Dayne was met by his family, and spent the next two weeks in the facility receiving tests and medications.  The MD who examined Dayne diagnosed him with bipolar 1 disorder.  Once out, Dayne saw a psychologist who confirmed that diagnosis and added ADHD.  “At that moment, I thought I had no choice but to accept this as my new reality,” he says. 

THE HEALING

Dayne’s parents and other believers in his family prayed fervently for his healing.  Two weeks after he left the hospital, medications in hand, he and his family went to church.  The pastor asked for those who would like prayer to come forward, and Dayne’s mother encouraged him to go. “During our prayer, I had a physical reaction; my hands began to shake uncontrollably, and I started making strange noises. As they prayer came to an end, I felt something physically lift off my body, and I knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that I had just been healed in the name of Jesus.” Soon after, Dayne stopped taking all the medication he’d been prescribed. “That was more than ten years ago, and I haven’t needed medication for my mental health since.”  Seven months later, Dayne returned to the doctor who had put him on the meds, and says he was supportive, given his good results.  

While very grateful for the healing God gave him, Dayne acknowledges that everyone’s path is different.  Early on in his book, he states, “At the same time, I know therapy and medication can have positive, even life-changing effects.  So if you’re struggling with your mental health, I know this book will be helpful to you, but please consult a doctor or therapist as well.  Each person’s health journey is unique and follows its own path.”   

IDENTITY 

A critical component of mental health, or the lack thereof, Dayne says, is one’s sense of identity.  “Before we come to know the Lord, we tend to root our identity in things we value at that time – whether it’s based on relationships, accomplishments, the opinions of others, or even our mistakes and struggles.”  Dayne goes on to talk about regrets from the past, and says they are too often interwoven into our identities.  “Maybe you’ve experienced something similar – an incident or season that shaped how you feel about yourself.  But here’s the good news,” he points out.  “God’s Word, and the relationship we have with Him through Christ, brings freedom, security, and a purpose-filled life.  Though the world might influence us to believe certain things about ourselves, the Bible tells us, ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’”  (Romans 12:2a) Our true identity as believers is found in who we are in Christ, and Scripture is filled with promises to remind us of that.”   A few of those key promises are:

•    You are a child of God.  John 1:12
•    You are a new creation.  2 Corinthians 5:17
•    You are chosen.  1 Peter 2:9
•    You are redeemed.  Ephesians 1:7
•    You are loved.  Romans 8:38-39     

PRAYER AND THE BRAIN

“I know prayer works,” Dayne says, explaining that his conviction is based not only on years of experience, but also on increasing scientific evidence.  “Studies by neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, MD, and echoed by Daniel Amen, MD, demonstrate improvements in blood flow to the prefrontal cortex of the brain among people who meditate and pray regularly.  This increased activity in the prefrontal cortex helps improve mood and reduce anxiety.”  Citing Newberg and Amen once more, Dayne explains that there are tools like the SPECT brain scan which show increases in serotonin and dopamine, two key neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) involved in emotional and physiological regulation.  “These scans allow us to visibly see the areas of the brain active during prayer and meditation.  The amygdala, responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response linked to fear and anxiety, also shows reduced activation through regular prayer, helping to lower stress and improve emotional stability.”  Further studies Dayne found showed that prayer and meditation also lower cortisol levels, a hormone tied to stress.  Most encouragingly, he learned that prayer has been shown to improve brain neuroplasticity, which can mean new thought patterns, a more positive outlook on life, and greater resilience in coping with stress.   

OVERCOMING LIMITING BELIEFS

Thinking about what we’re thinking about is a worthwhile exercise, Dayne believes.  “How many times have you said things like, ‘This is just how I am,’ ‘Things never work out for me,’ or, ‘I’ll never overcome this’?  These phrases often stem from fear and doubt, blocking us from all that God has for us.  But where do these limiting beliefs come from?  While some arise from personal experiences, they’re also fueled by the enemy, whose goal is to reinforce these doubts and keep us from God’s best.”  The good news is that, just as fear and lies can create limiting beliefs, faith in God’s promises can break these cycles.  Instead of accepting the enemy’s lies, we can choose to believe God’s truth and step forward in faith.  Each time we do, we see new results that help us break free from old, limiting beliefs that seek to hold us back.  With each decision to trust God and take action you create new outcomes that can build a new cycle of faith, confidence, and growth.”   Dayne offers examples to overcome such beliefs and lies:

•    Belief/lie: “I don’t deserve God’s love.”
      Dayne says the enemy would tell us, “Look at all your mistakes.  Do you think     God really loves you?  You’ve failed too many times to be loved by God.” 

Truth:  Romans 8:38-39  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

•    Belief/ lie: “I’m always going to struggle with anxiety/depression.”
     Dayne suggests what our enemy would say to that thought.  “This is just who you are. You’ll never be free from these feelings, so stop trying.”  

Truth:  Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
 

For more information on Dayne Kamela and to purchase his book, click the LINK!

CREDITS

Author, Choose Prayer, Not Despair (Charisma House, 2025) / Social Media Content Creator, sharing daily messages of prayer, hope, and encouragement with his more than 1.4M followers / Founder, LitWithPrayer, an online resource, helping individuals develop a strong relationship with Jesus through prayer, and find their God-given potential / married to Kiera