Hi I'm Lindsay, I've been a Christian all my life (though not always a great one lol)...I'm 26 now. Anyway I was just wondering if maybe someone can PM/email me to talk about your faith--like how has God helped u with SI? I know God loves me but most of the time He seems so distant. Is it b/c I'm not praying enough/reading the Bible? I was just wondering, maybe He thinks I don't deserve help? A lot of times I've felt that if I really wanted something I had to depend on myself more than God (I know that sounds horrible) :( Thx for any help <3
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.
Death is one moment, and life is so many of them.
Don't look forward to the day you stop suffering, because when it comes you'll know you're dead.
~ Tennessee Williams
I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad,
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had.
I'm actually a girl. My nickname was given by a friend and stuck ;)
Hey Lindsay,
I too have been a Christian all my life. I have felt distant from God for sometime now...I've been trying to figure out what it is that is between myself and God that is hindering a relationship that I used to have with HIm. My life is so different now as I am divorced and a single mom of two little boys. God has not moved away from me, I'm the one who has distanced myself from Him and need to find my way back. I pray for God to put the desire in my heart for a closer relationship with HIm. I have had a difficult time praying lately, not because I am mad at God, I'm just not sure how to talk to Him right now. I'm struggling with grief at the passing of my grandmother and it's hard to tell GOd how much I'm hurting because I miss her when He's in heaven with her. I guess I'm more jealous of God and that's keeping me from praying like I should. I'm all messed up from the grief and know that I need Him now more than ever, but I need to trust Him and turn to HIm because He is and always will be there. I attend a Bible study which helps me to study God's word as well as fellowship with others. I've been trying to utter at least small prayers throughout the day just so that i am keeping an open line of communication with God.
Years ago when I had my first bout of major depression I was also suicidal and tried to end my life a couple times. One time I just had it and prayed for God to take my life, but He wouldn't that wasn't His will. I got angry and decided that I would do it myself then. I sat in bed that night and started to slit my wrist, then I heard my mom walking about the house and I did not want her to see that I was still awake and come in and find me and stop me. I set the razor blade down and turned off my bedroom light and turned on the small light by my bed. When I went to reach for the razor blade it was gone. I got up and searched my bed and could not find it. I laid in my bed freaked out that night because I knew it was God who stopped me because I would have gone through with it that time. Shortly after that incident I came across this Bible verse, that I consider to be my favorite and my life verse Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God feels the same way about you, Lindsay. He loves you and wants the best for you. He's right there and when He sees you struggling and wanting to SH He is hurting and is sad. He's your Heavenly Father. Whenever I see one of my children suffering, it breaks my heart and I cry with them or just hold them. God wants to do the same with us. God came down to this Earth to rescue us from Hell and while He was here He was tempted and experienced life so that He can relate to us. Granted Jesus may not have had thoughts of SH but He did have internal struggles, like when He was praying in the arden before He was about to be crucified, He knew what the pain was going to be like and didn't want to do it, but prayed for God's will to be done. He was in such turmoil that He actually sweat blood. I know that I have had some strong urges to cut, but never ones that lead me to sweat blood. God understands. He loves you so much that He died on the cross for you because He could not bear the thought of spending an eternity without you. That doesn't sound like a God who thinks you deserve this pain. We suffer here on earth because there is sin in the world. But God thinks you're worth saving and He proved it when He stretched out His arms on the cross and died for your sins. He was thinking of YOU while He was on the cross. He did it for you. Lindsay, if you were the only person in the world, God would still have sent His son to die to save you.
I hope this helps. If you want to chat more we can here or you can PM if you want. I will be praying for you. I have found it easier lately to pray for others than for myself.
I hurt myself today.. it's three months since last time i did it.. so.. i'm pretty disappointed over myself.. It's been very difficult for me to trust God lately ... and I was just wondering if someone could help me.. i feel like i'm losing my trust in God.. and i don't want that..
What is it that is causing you tO lose trust in God? Why do you feel like you have lost trust in God? Did anything happen to cause to view God as not trustworthy?
I am the only one in my family who believe in God.. and it's not easy for me when my dad's as upset with me being a christian as he is.. and he's constantly trying to convince me to ''realise'' that there is no God..
Well, I certainly believe that there is a God. I can understand that it is difficult to keep your faith strong when your own parents don't share the same faith as you. Keep in mind that Jesus can relate to what you are going through. When Jesus began His ministry His brothers laughed and scoffed at Him and thought He was out of His mind. His own family did not believe Him. When Jesus was taken away to be crucified, His disciples scattered and left Him. He was right there living, breathing, eating, and performing miracles right before their very eyes and yet they doubted and couldn't comprehend that Jesus was the Son of God. And here we are without the visible witness of God in the physical sense. But that is faith, trusting what we cannot see.
I struggle with SH and I know that I need God's help to get through this. SH is a BIG problem and I am just a small insignificant person but my God is BIG, He is BIGGer than my SH problems. God is never changing, the God who parted the Red Sea is the same God we pray to today. He rescued the Isrealites from Egypt and I believe He can rescue us from SH. There is sin in the world that we need to battle, but when Jesus dies on the cross He won the war of sin. Satan is ticked off because He has no power over us anymore, but Satan tries to put obstacles in our way to turn us away from our faith. Pray...be honest with God. Tell Him how you are feeling. Tell HIm that you are losing trust..He can handle it. Ask for Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit to renew your faith. Ask and you shall receive.
Hope this helps
Hi. I'm really sorry to hijack this thread.
My depression is really bad right now, and my doctor, who has been no help for the last two years, told me on Thursday my depression is "treatment-resistant" and that "we've reached the limit of what we can do here for people with treatment resistant depression". I know things have been bad, but this really shook me up.
I feel like right now God is the only one who can help me, but I don't want to bother my chaplain because I don't want her to worry about me any more than she already does.
I don't know what else to do. I know there is a Christian charity nearby that offers counselling, but it has a 3 month waiting list, so that's not that helpful right now. Does anyone have any suggestions? I only need to get through the next few weeks because my sister and I will be going back home to stay with our parents on 8 June for the summer, and I will be safe then.
Thanks, and sorry for bothering you.
It doesn't matter where you come from; it matters where you go.
No-one gets remembered for the things they didn't do.
We won't all be here this time next year,
so while you can take a picture of us.
We're definitely going to hell,
but we'll have all the best stories to tell.
Aunty T, already I'm not liking your doctor..no offense. You said that your doctor has been of no help and that doesn't put a lot of confidence in their diagnosis. Have you talked with a counselor? Have you tried antidepressants? What was the dr.'s course of treatment for your depression?
I can understand your fears....it was just about two months ago when my depression was bad and I was cutting and not eating and losing a lot of weight when both my counselor and dr were concerned that I was doing what I was suppose to but not getting better and recommended me going into the hospital for more intensive treatment. I refused as I am a single mom and can't just up and leave. I wasn't bad enough for them to have me involuntarily committed. But, it scared me enough to realize that I need to work hard to get better. My dr came up with a treatment plan along with my counselor to help me get better to keep me out of the hospital, not just gave up on me...which it kind of sounds like what your dr has done to you.
Yes, we need God to get through this. God is bigger than any of our problems and He can get us through this. "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" Phillipians 4:13 Just keep praying.
Let me know what you have tried as far as treatment wise. Is there a trigger to your depression?
I've tried antidepressants (though only SSRIs) and either don't work (ie. I barely got out of bed for 6 months) or the make me crazy. I tried a beta-blocker too, and that's is just making me insomniac, (ie. not sleeping two night out of three) which is making my depression worse. At this stage, aside from my doctor suggesting there's little more he can do, I'm tired of all these medications which are just making me worse. I have seen many psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists etc. over the last few years, but none regularly. I'm currently supposed to be seeing a psychiatrist, but in reality, I see the CT1 doctor who works under the psychiatrist, and he just makes assumptions and talks over me/interrupts me, and last time made me quite suicidal after, and I felt like he'd put ideas in my head. The CT1s change every 6 months, which mean I always feel like I'm starting from scratch again. Also, I'm a student, so the doctors work one day each, and come down from the main surgery. The good doctors are booked up weeks in advance, so if it's anything urgent you're stuck seeing a junior doctor who really doesn't want to be there.
I have a twin, and she graduates in three weeks, and I need to keep it together til then. I don't know what will happen after that and that frightens me.
Right now, I feel like a) the doctor made me feel like I was wasting their time because they can't help me and b) everything they've done so far has just made me worse. God is the only thing I have left that I can imagine helping me. He's got me through so much before, but I really feel lost this time. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing, and I don't know what's going to happen.
Do you know of any books or support for Christians who are depressed? Or particular parts of the bible? Like I said, I don't want to worry my chaplain any more, because I feel like I've been enough of a burden over the last year.
It doesn't matter where you come from; it matters where you go.
No-one gets remembered for the things they didn't do.
We won't all be here this time next year,
so while you can take a picture of us.
We're definitely going to hell,
but we'll have all the best stories to tell.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8cX6SHtxeE"]Kari Jobe - We Are (Lyrics) - YouTube[/ame]
"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged,
sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong because sometime in your life you will have been all of these."
Hi All,
Posted a few weeks go about my Pastor and his wife advising that I should go to GP and get antidepressants. I wasn't sure about it and thought about it, discussed with my husband and eventually decided that I didn't want to have them but I did need help.
Have now been to the GP and got referal for counselling.
Problem is the Pastor's wife asked me yesterday whether I had been to the GP and what was happening, personally I wanted to say non of your business. I don't see why I should share everything with them, it's my personal choice. Also they said they would support me, and my husband, whatever choice I made.
I did say I had been to the GP and was awaiting a referral. I'm sure she'll know from that, that I decided not to have antidepressants and I'm worried they will judge me and hold it against me.
The way they presented it to me at the time was that it was the only answer and I should take the pills to feel better.
Not sure the point of my post, just wanted to express my concerns.
God Bless
Liz
It's completely up to you how much you tell them, if you tell them anything.
It probably depends on how much they know about the system as to whether they will think that means 'referral for anti-depressants' or 'referral for counselling'.
Did the doctor suggest anti-depressants? Because if he/she didn't, then they probably think you will be fine without.
I don't think you should be scared of taking anti-depressants, some people argue that they are drugs, and God will make you better, you just have to pray enough. I think that's silly. It's completely up to you. As people here have said, God wouldn't be against you using pain killers if you had a broken leg. God puts other people in place in order to help us, and if those other people are the doctors and scientists who make the drugs, then that's fine by me ;)
Anyway, it's your choice to make as to whether you go on anti-depressants, or not. It's always best to be honest with people, but if that makes you uncomfortable, or anything, then just leave it, maybe say 'I'd rather not talk about this' or something like that :)
God bless x
Mary
Death is one moment, and life is so many of them.
Don't look forward to the day you stop suffering, because when it comes you'll know you're dead.
~ Tennessee Williams
I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad,
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had.
I'm actually a girl. My nickname was given by a friend and stuck ;)
This isnt an Owl City original,but I really like this version and it always helps me.x
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMlfkUZM_Uo"]Owl City - In Christ Alone - Full Song 2010 w/ lyrics by Adam Young - YouTube[/ame]
There are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you.
But there are times to go out into the world and find such a thing for yourself.
I aint no abacus but you can count on me.
Aloha lovely people, I've not been around for ages but would really appreciate your prayers. Life is very up and down and I'm not sure where God is or if I even believe in him anymore. Everything I thought I believed in has been lost over the past 2 or so months and my faith is so thin. I went to a worship event last night and I think I felt God but I'm not sure and I feel so lost, I spent most the night looking around at everyone else wishing I had what they had... I miss God.
So erm, yeah prayers would be awesome!
Love and blessings to you all <3
Sending prayers your way. Whenever we feel distant form God, it's not God who has moved..it is us. I feel distant from Him at the moment as well. But I keep trying to pray...even simple prayers. I thank Him for the things He has given me. I ask Him to help me through my struggles. I have even found that praying for others has helped. If you pray for God to give you the desire to be closer to Him, He will. Ask and you shall receive. Don't give up on God because He will never give up on you.
I feel rude for barging in, but I wanted to introduce myself on here.
I'm Amanda, but you can call me Ag. I'm nearly 20, and I've been a Christian since I was 5. My Papaw, his three brothers, and their father are all pastors, and nearly all of my cousins are in some form of ministry - be it worship leaders/recording artists, missionaries, or pastors. I've been a missionary, and am currently the manager of a Christian Book Store that supports a ministry for college aged youth, and am involved with mentoring some of the girls that take part in it.
I married my best friend on May 19, after being together for three years. He was raised in Haiti by missionaries, and is so incredibly wise for his age.
I've been an SIer since I was 13, after my first failed suicide attempt. Between the ages of 13 and 18 I had 7 failed suicide attempts, and was on suicide watch four or five times. Since it's obvious that God doesn't want me dead, I cut or starve myself, depending on my body image at the time. I'm currently three months cut free, thank to the stress of wedding planning and working 50 hours a week, and I'm trying really hard to keep the urge at bay. But my self-hatred has reached a grand new height, and so here I am.
