It's too bad there's still sin in our lives even after we become Christians... you'd think God would've made it so that Satan couldn't speak-- or whisper things into our heads; I guess though, that's where we have to learn who's voice to listen too-- sometimes it doesn't work so well. IMHO
We all wear masks, and the time comes when we cannot remove them without removing some of our own skin. ~André Berthiaume
**this might just be for the christians who have been able to stop SI **
OK so i just got home from camp today and camp was amazing. this speaker had a word and really spoke to my heart about god and his love.
i was brought up in a christian home and i was on again off again with god (lukewarm) and when i was at camp i was filled with the holy spirit and it was awesome i felt so close to god. and i want to continue that feeling now while i'm at home. so i've decided to take the steps to stop SI-ing but i'm scared that i'll slip up and cut.
sometimes i feel like how will god be able to use me with all these scars all over me
people in my church are trying to put me on suicide watch because i slipped up
sorry you slipped up. do you need to be on watch, or is this a total misunderstanding on their part? maybe you could explain to them a bit about SI, so they understand it's not about suicide. i think leaving the Church would be a bad idea, because it's Christ's body and we're most whole when we are a part of it. it's very hard to be a Christian if you're not coming together with others, as Jesus told us to do at the Last Supper. but if it is unbearable for you at your current church, maybe you could find a different one in your area, even just til this blows over. i don't think that would necessarily be a bad thing (although i do think it's best to stick these things out as much as you can).
Hi i've never posted here before, i'm just looking for some support.
I've been a christian all my life but just recently i've started having doubts, i think it started around the same time as my depression but i can't really say why, and the doubts have been getting stronger as my condition is getting worse.
Anyway i'm wondering if i'm being a hypocrite by going to church and in particular leading the junior church when i'm not sure what i believe anymore? I don't want to stop going but i feel like i shouldn't be there.
Everyone there has been so supportive and i'd really miss them and don't know if i'd cope without them but that on it's own isn't a good enough reason to keep going to church, is it?
Hi there everyone. Has anyone been to New Wine? Im going in two weeks. xxx
I haven't but a girl, well woman, who used to go to my church when she lived round here is going to be doing her music and she is fantastically talented so look out for her - Shell Perris.
Well, I feel stuck. I don't think I believe having been a Christian for several years. I fell away last year when I was really suicidal and taking an od every week or so. I haven't been to my old church for a year and a half nearly and wouldn't go back. Now? I feel myself being drawn back but now I am embarrassed as it seems intellectually weak now. I am thinking of doing an Alpha course to be able to explore things and ask questions.
"Everything is possible through Christ, who gives me strength". Phillipians 4:13
Urgh I've lost 2 responses because the new Firefox changed my tab settings... This isn't quite how I wanted to say it, but I tried to piece together my response from what I remembered....
Shellybelly, from my experience, those amazing Holy Spirit times are like the refreshing reassurance that helps us remember and believe that God is near and still loves us incredibly much. Jesus said he'd send the Holy Spirit as a comforter. One thing I had to learn though is that those experiences aren't meant to be for all the time... it's not until we get to heaven that we'll experience God's perfect love and joy all the time.
In between the mountain highs where it feels like fresh rain on your face, you have to stay in God's word and speak to him in prayer. If you don't you'll begin to drift further away and fall into things you shouldn't, in all areas. I say that out of very recent experience.... Not with self-injury, but in another area of my life. Cling tightly to God, he doesn't want to let you fall away, but he won't always stop you from turning your back on him.
As a Christian, and as someone who has almost completely stopped (once every 4 or 5 months maybe), my biggest advice is that slipping up does not mean you've started all over and you've lost all the progress you've made. I'm having to learn myself that when I mess up God is right there by my side with me, even though I want to push him away because I feel like he can't possibly love me, I have to trust in his embrace. I'm a firm believer that God does not allow anything to happen in our lives that he does not have a plan to still use us for his glory later on. King David committed adultery and murder and God said he was "A man after God's heart." Apostle Paul tracked down and helped murder Christians and yet he went on to be used by God to minister to thousands, and to show that God's power comes from him, and not from our own strengths. Years later, maybe sooner, maybe later, you'll look at those scars and they'll be proof that God does not leave his Children to battle the world on our own. He wants to do great things in your life and that includes all of you, scars included.
I just saw this thread and wanted to say that I'm a christian too! I didn't realize there were so many on here. It's awesome. :)
I'd have to say that God has saved my life many times...in every way possible. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Him. He's what keeps me going everyday. :)
**this might just be for the christians who have been able to stop SI **
OK so i just got home from camp today and camp was amazing. this speaker had a word and really spoke to my heart about god and his love.
i was brought up in a christian home and i was on again off again with god (lukewarm) and when i was at camp i was filled with the holy spirit and it was awesome i felt so close to god. and i want to continue that feeling now while i'm at home. so i've decided to take the steps to stop SI-ing but i'm scared that i'll slip up and cut.
sometimes i feel like how will god be able to use me with all these scars all over me
but i'd just like some advice thanks so much
I understand that feeling of being lukewarm and wanting to stay close with him. Just keep trying. That's all you can do. Talk to God all the time and read His word. That will keep you close to Him.
And God can use anything he wants for good. He can even use your scars for good. He can use them to help someone else. He can use them to remind you of where you've been and what God has done in your life. He uses the worsts things in life for good all the time. Just keep that in mind. :)
I can't see how i cut and how i am a christian at the same time. I feel like, i know, that the devil is telling me to just drop the subject of Christ, and stop worrying about that, because I already have messed up by having an eating disorder, by being a cutter, by being a bad daughter, by disappointing everyone with everything i do, ect ect ect.
But on the other hand, I know God forgives. I know if I am trying to stop cutting, then God can help me through this. And that God knows we are not perfect and that we're going to have slips.
These thoughts just contradict each other so much!
Dont feel bad. I completely understand both sides to that. I've been there too. I think we've all been there. Just try to focus on God as much as you can and He'll be able to help you. You can also tells God things like what you just said. Tell Him you're confused or you don't know what to do. So tell Him everything. He's there to listen to you. Hope that helps hun! Stay strong. You'll be ok. Pm anytime. :)
Hi i've never posted here before, i'm just looking for some support.
I've been a christian all my life but just recently i've started having doubts, i think it started around the same time as my depression but i can't really say why, and the doubts have been getting stronger as my condition is getting worse.
Anyway i'm wondering if i'm being a hypocrite by going to church and in particular leading the junior church when i'm not sure what i believe anymore? I don't want to stop going but i feel like i shouldn't be there.
Everyone there has been so supportive and i'd really miss them and don't know if i'd cope without them but that on it's own isn't a good enough reason to keep going to church, is it?
I'm sorry i'm just feeling so confused.
hi Piglet, welcome to the thread.
first off, it's ok to have doubts and perfectly understandable as you've been suffering from depression, which really can just take everything out of you.
i don't think it's hypocritical to continue going to church in the slightest. God wants you there, doubts and all. the more broken we are, by doubts, depression, sin, anything, the more he wants us there. continuing in being part of the Body of Christ and ministering to others even in our difficulties and frailties is a tremendous witness. whatever is keeping you going to church, whether that be habit, socialising or anything else, is good enough for God, and if it's good enough for God it should be good enough for his Church and followers.
Last edited by tamo >bhūtā : 13-07-2009 at 11:13 PM.
Reason: proper reply
I've sort of lost my faith but my Mums gone into hospital today and normally I'd pray for her but... I'm just not feeling it atm. Can someone maybe pray for her? Please? Or can I not ask that? :\
I'm just scared :\
It didn't matter in the end how old they had been, or that they were girls,
but only that we had loved them and that they hadn't heard us calling,
still do not hear us calling them from out of those rooms where they went to be alone for all time,
and where we will never find the pieces to put them back together.
I've sort of lost my faith but my Mums gone into hospital today and normally I'd pray for her but... I'm just not feeling it atm. Can someone maybe pray for her? Please? Or can I not ask that? :
I'm just scared :
Of course you can ask for prayers. I will pray for your mother and also for you and your faith. I believe that once you've had a relationship with God he wont let go of you. Is there someone you can talk to perhaps? xx
Thank you. Really :\
I could talk to my friends about it but I don't really want to. It's not the first time this has happened. I know He is there still its just, I don't feel looked after which sounds really selfish and ungrateful 'cause I know of course He is watching over me.
I'm just a disappointment ):
It didn't matter in the end how old they had been, or that they were girls,
but only that we had loved them and that they hadn't heard us calling,
still do not hear us calling them from out of those rooms where they went to be alone for all time,
and where we will never find the pieces to put them back together.
I've been a christian all my life, ive always felt he is there but sometimes i get myself into little ruts of self-destruction where i just dont want to know. It's perfectly understandable to have times like this. Remember you have a relationship with God, even if it is rocky and the moment, maybe telling him how u feel would help? I remember a long time ago someone told me that its ok to be angry and its only human to want to shout at God. I have shouted a God many times before and i'm sure i'll continue to. It's hard not to get annoyed sometimes because we dont get to see the bigger picture. x x
You know people have told me before that its ok to be angry with God but somehow I just can't bring myself to 'shout' at Him. He has done so much for me, even little things that I don't realise. I might write something and then sort of readit out to Him xD
I've done that before and it was a lot easier so... :\
Btw I'm happy for you, that you've been a Christian all your life. That must be great :)
<3
It didn't matter in the end how old they had been, or that they were girls,
but only that we had loved them and that they hadn't heard us calling,
still do not hear us calling them from out of those rooms where they went to be alone for all time,
and where we will never find the pieces to put them back together.
Not with self-injury, but in another area of my life. Cling tightly to God, he doesn't want to let you fall away, but he won't always stop you from turning your back on him.
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