[Fred!]

Crookshanks - I'm not going to SS this year, although the church I'm working in is going. I haven't ever been, and I'm 21 now, so I think I'm a bit too old ;)

Lindsay - Hi :D I have been feeling rather similar to how you feel at the moment, and as I was reading what you have put, I was thinking of responses to what you have said, and they actually seem to make some sense to me, so I'm going to try and take my own advice ;)
I would also probably say I've been a Christian all my life, again, with ups and downs. Right now I feel distant from God, I have no idea what's getting in the way, but I really miss the relationship I have had with Him in the past. I believe that God never changes, He was there in the beginning, is still there, and will be there for forever, (wherever 'there' is... right beside me I guess) it's me that has changed and moved away from God. Sometimes I can feel myself pushing away, but God doesn't move. He is always the same, loving, forgiving, patient, and everything else I can't think of saying ;)
I really doubt it is a case of not reading the Bible enough/praying enough. Some people believe that problems arise because you don't have enough faith, or don't pray enough. I don't think this is true, because lots of people pray a lot for people to get healed, but they never are, lots of people pray for things, but they never happen, and sometimes, just one prayer can heal someone.
God doesn't give us 'trials' or anything like that, but when they come along, He uses them to make us stronger, and to bring us closer to Him.
I don't believe God thinks you don't deserve help. Take some of the examples in the Bible, like Saul (Paul) who killed loads of Christians then had a vision of Jesus, and was saved. He was a horrible person, but God didn't think he wasn't worth helping.
I think you know the answers to your questions, but I know from my experience, it's very difficult to see the truth when feeling low.

My vicar recommended a book called 'Through the Dark Woods' the other day, and I ordered it, and it arrived in the post today, and started reading it, and I'm going to have to re-read it, but it's a very good book. About depression from a Christian point of view. It's been so long since I've been able to sit and do something for more than an hour at once, but I managed to read for just over an hour, so it's obviously a good book ;) I used to be able to read for hours on end.
In regards to God helping with SH, I don't know. I know that when I get so low I can't stand people or getting out of bed, somehow, I get the motivation from somewhere, to get up and face the day. I don't often pray about it, but when I desperately need it, He is there to help me through and to 'cope' with the things that happen.

Please feel free to PM me Lindsay. It might be a couple of days before I get back online, but I am happy to answer any questions, or talk, or whatever you like ;)

Remember that God doesn't like to see us suffer, and will offer ways out of situations, and answers and resolutions to problems.

and thankyou :) your questions has made me think about my own similar thoughts.