I feel left out and lost.

[LightandDark]

Hi,

I do apologise in advance if the title is somewhat vague or clickbait-y, but it's exactly how I feel right now in regards to my faith, my position with God, and life's situations.

Just a few weeks ago, a relative invited me to a brief Bible study at their house, and after we had completed the study, I felt convicted and in need of renewing my faith almost immediately. Listening to his testimony and his close relationship to God had me all excited because I wanted something similar and I wanted to pick up where I left off... Suffice to say, I've prayed and read my Bible almost every night since, and I've attempted to abstain from sin as best as I can because I wanted to take God more seriously.

Unfortunately though, my life's gotten somewhat worse in terms of relationships with my family, anxiety, depression, really minor thoughts of suicide and hopelessness. I feel left out and hopeless with no way to escape my bad thoughts and feelings. I don't understand?

I had a verbal altercation with my family a few weeks ago and I've prayed for it to get better every single night since, but it seems to be getting worse than anything, and the thoughts of that fight are on my mind every minute of every day. It makes me feel hopeless, lost and in need of direction because I feel like another dispute will happen again soon as they're slowly testing my patience and love for them.

Instead of focusing on my faith, like I should be, I sometimes go on for hours thinking of how to be prepared for the next fight, should it happen, or what had happened in the previous fight. The only thing that makes me feel somewhat better is leaving the house for a few hours, but then I have to come back because I can't leave permanently for personal reasons.

My chest/heart feels cold and uneasy all the time, similar to that feeling you get when you're about to do something risky, and I've shed many tears during prayer for forgiveness, guidance and help, but I get no answers nor do I see anything improving, and worst of all, my anxiety and depression are stacking up really quickly, and it's strange because I've never felt like this before nor have I had an issue with the family until recently.

I have no one to turn to because not everyone is bothered with my issues, and I don't feel like burdening my relative with my dilemma since he has his own life to work out.

Why do I feel like this? Why do I feel forsaken? I feel like a single lit candle in a dark room, with no hope or help anywhere around me, and soon my light will go out. It's gotten so bad that I envied someone who had died recently.

I've wholeheartedly prayed for forgiveness and help. I've cried for support and answers, and I've spent hours just sitting on my bed in the dark, hoping that something will happen to improve my situation with the family, but there's none to help.

I've prayed, fasted, and read the Bible every night. What else am I missing? What am I doing wrong?

 

[Rescued One]

I believe you are forgiven. Are your family members true Christians? True Christians forgive.

Jesus told us that Christians are known by their fruits. If they won't forgive you, it's possible they aren't really Christians. Be kind to them. Don't argue or try to defend yourself to them. You see, God knows you and if the accusations are false, He'll take care if it. Just keep your thoughts on pleasing HIM!

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Isaiah 43
25 “I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.

Be encouraged. God helps us survive the hard times.

The hard lessons in my life taught me to help others.

 

[AnnaDeborah]

I don't know if it's just the way I'm reading your post, but it sounds as if you are reading the Bible and praying because those are 'boxes' you need to tick to be a good Christian, instead of reading and praying to have a conversation with God and get to know Him better. There is a huge difference between the two.

Something else to consider is that when we take our faith seriously, we can expect to come under more attack from the devil, who doesn't like it when Christians get serious about following God.

Are you able to talk to your relative whose testimony inspired you to follow God more wholeheartedly? Sometimes it is easier to talk with someone who actually knows us and can maybe help and advise more. If your relative is near, maybe you could also study the Bible and pray together to encourage each other?

Know that the Lord is near to all who call on Him. Keep calling out to Him, keep seeking Him through the Word - take hold of His promises. They are true regardless of how we feel!

I find the Psalms helpful when I am going through tough times - they are so real and deal with the struggles and difficulties we all encounter. Sometimes, I use one of them as a 'springboard' for my own prayers.

 

[Dave G.]

The battle with your family is not yours, it's the Lords but you have to give it to Him. And you have to show up. We don't battle against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities, to which only the Lord will win. Trust in the Lord with all your heart mind and strength. So you're wasting your time running this stuff through your mind over and over, that is a work of Satan not of God. He has your mind racing in the wrong direction and you are letting it happen.. Again, trust in the Lord. That is just what it says, trust in Him that this will work out in the long run, put it all in His hands.

I like the idea of getting in touch with the person who had the bible study.

 

[eleos1954]

Hi,

I do apologise in advance if the title is somewhat vague or clickbait-y, but it's exactly how I feel right now in regards to my faith, my position with God, and life's situations.

Just a few weeks ago, a relative invited me to a brief Bible study at their house, and after we had completed the study, I felt convicted and in need of renewing my faith almost immediately. Listening to his testimony and his close relationship to God had me all excited because I wanted something similar and I wanted to pick up where I left off... Suffice to say, I've prayed and read my Bible almost every night since, and I've attempted to abstain from sin as best as I can because I wanted to take God more seriously.

Unfortunately though, my life's gotten somewhat worse in terms of relationships with my family, anxiety, depression, really minor thoughts of suicide and hopelessness. I feel left out and hopeless with no way to escape my bad thoughts and feelings. I don't understand?

I had a verbal altercation with my family a few weeks ago and I've prayed for it to get better every single night since, but it seems to be getting worse than anything, and the thoughts of that fight are on my mind every minute of every day. It makes me feel hopeless, lost and in need of direction because I feel like another dispute will happen again soon as they're slowly testing my patience and love for them.

Instead of focusing on my faith, like I should be, I sometimes go on for hours thinking of how to be prepared for the next fight, should it happen, or what had happened in the previous fight. The only thing that makes me feel somewhat better is leaving the house for a few hours, but then I have to come back because I can't leave permanently for personal reasons.

My chest/heart feels cold and uneasy all the time, similar to that feeling you get when you're about to do something risky, and I've shed many tears during prayer for forgiveness, guidance and help, but I get no answers nor do I see anything improving, and worst of all, my anxiety and depression are stacking up really quickly, and it's strange because I've never felt like this before nor have I had an issue with the family until recently.

I have no one to turn to because not everyone is bothered with my issues, and I don't feel like burdening my relative with my dilemma since he has his own life to work out.

Why do I feel like this? Why do I feel forsaken? I feel like a single lit candle in a dark room, with no hope or help anywhere around me, and soon my light will go out. It's gotten so bad that I envied someone who had died recently.

I've wholeheartedly prayed for forgiveness and help. I've cried for support and answers, and I've spent hours just sitting on my bed in the dark, hoping that something will happen to improve my situation with the family, but there's none to help.

I've prayed, fasted, and read the Bible every night. What else am I missing? What am I doing wrong?

Not necessarily "doing something wrong". People think the christian life is easy ... ummm ... no ... not really ..... Satan is after God's people constantly, the others he already "has in his pocket so to speak" .... so he comes on like gang busters a lot of the time with Gods people .... call on the name of Jesus and rebuke Satan whenever he raises his ugly head. The more you call on Jesus the less Satan and his minions will pursue you ... but will never totally give up and nobody better for him to use other people like your family or others you are close to. Look at what Job went through. Personally, compared to that .... my life is peaches and cream ;o)

When people are doing something that hurts me badly .... I am reminded it's really not them, it's Satan. If it's chronic ... well ... I remove myself from the situation and check back later to see if anything has changed ... sometimes it does other times not. I keep checking back though.

Continue in His word, stay focused on Jesus, He will go through everything with you. Focus on His love. Perhaps also try finding a hobby and/or activities you enjoy. Consider doing some service work helping others and expose yourself to people who have a good positive attitude overall ... they are out there. Keep looking until you find them.

If you have earnestly prayed for forgiveness and have repented, then you ARE forgiven, know that and accept that. Having trials and tribulation does not mean you haven't been forgiven.

He died for you so you can live with Him.
He will help you overcome.

Will pray for you my friend.

God Bless.

 

[Brotherly Spirit]

Can't control the thoughts and feelings we get or people in our lives. It's best to put aside perfections and expectations as neither are something worth pursuing. What helps is understanding how we're to be righteous seeking Christ Jesus, to have the humility and a big part of it is patience. Admit there's nothing you can do to change yourself and any change must come from him. Then wait faithfully each day, concern yourself for the day and not further; also the same with everything you do during the day.

As for all the things you're doing, try not having certain expectations. What's being sought should be mainly about your relationship with the Lord. This does include prayers, fasts, and studies (reading the Bible); but it should be focused first on the relationship and whatever comes outside of it is additional. If you're not getting joy during these periods, then think about changing your approach. Sometimes when I feel as you said left out and lost, it helps not only coming to the Lord but includes fellowship (sharing in the Lord feeling as if I belong).

Last I'd say the fact you're feeling this way and reaching out the way you have shows your faith. Nothing wrong about finding yourself when it's genuine. You're seeking answers from God and coming to people for help, so please don't think poorly of yourself and try being thankful for your life (remember the good moments or things you've had).

 

[LightandDark]

I believe you are forgiven. Are your family members true Christians? True Christians forgive.

Jesus told us that Christians are known by their fruits. If they won't forgive you, it's possible they aren't really Christians. Be kind to them. Don't argue or try to defend yourself to them. You see, God knows you and if the accusations are false, He'll take care if it. Just keep your thoughts on pleasing HIM!

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Isaiah 43
25 “I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.

Be encouraged. God helps us survive the hard times.

The hard lessons in my life taught me to help others.

They say they're Christians, but I don't know what to make of it. I've always been kind and compassionate towards all of them and was quick to forgive and forget what they had done, but recently, it's different. The altercation happened because one of them did something that slightly bothered me, and went I politely asked them to stop, I was labelled as the crazy one, and now they're all defending the same person over me when I did nothing wrong.

Please, Pray for me.

I don't know if it's just the way I'm reading your post, but it sounds as if you are reading the Bible and praying because those are 'boxes' you need to tick to be a good Christian, instead of reading and praying to have a conversation with God and get to know Him better. There is a huge difference between the two.

Something else to consider is that when we take our faith seriously, we can expect to come under more attack from the devil, who doesn't like it when Christians get serious about following God.

Are you able to talk to your relative whose testimony inspired you to follow God more wholeheartedly? Sometimes it is easier to talk with someone who actually knows us and can maybe help and advise more. If your relative is near, maybe you could also study the Bible and pray together to encourage each other?

Know that the Lord is near to all who call on Him. Keep calling out to Him, keep seeking Him through the Word - take hold of His promises. They are true regardless of how we feel!

I find the Psalms helpful when I am going through tough times - they are so real and deal with the struggles and difficulties we all encounter. Sometimes, I use one of them as a 'springboard' for my own prayers.

I felt the need to read the Bible because I've never done it before, and spending time reading God's word was important to me. The prayer on the other hand was of my sincere repentance and not something I was told to do for the sake of it. I hope that makes sense.

The only thing that's stopping me from speaking to my relative about my problems is the fact that we're not that close to share personal issues yet. I'm sure I'll do it later in time, but at the moment it's a little difficult because he has his own problems to deal with. The thought of throwing my burdens at him makes me feel uncomfortable and I don't want to scare him off.

Thank you for the Psalm tip. I'll keep that in mind, and please, pray for me.

The battle with your family is not yours, it's the Lords but you have to give it to Him. And you have to show up. We don't battle against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities, to which only the Lord will win. Trust in the Lord with all your heart mind and strength. So you're wasting your time running this stuff through your mind over and over, that is a work of Satan not of God. He has your mind racing in the wrong direction and you are letting it happen.. Again, trust in the Lord. That is just what it says, trust in Him that this will work out in the long run, put it all in His hands.

I like the idea of getting in touch with the person who had the bible study.

This is why I'm here, Brother Dave. I've been praying and struggling with this issue for weeks with no good results at all. I've tried my best to let go of the thoughts and feelings and focus on positive things, but they just won't go away and the depression kicks in as soon as I think about them. I've earnestly prayed, read the Bible and had a 2 day fast, but all I hear is silence from the other side.

Sometimes I get the urge to just give up everything, but I try my best to persist. I always try my best to fight back the struggle and continue on... But I'm not sure if I could hold on for that much longer. Please, pray for me.

Not necessarily "doing something wrong". People think the christian life is easy ... ummm ... no ... not really ..... Satan is after God's people constantly, the others he already "has in his pocket so to speak" .... so he comes on like gang busters a lot of the time with Gods people .... call on the name of Jesus and rebuke Satan whenever he raises his ugly head. The more you call on Jesus the less Satan and his minions will pursue you ... but will never totally give up and nobody better for him to use other people like your family or others you are close to. Look at what Job went through. Personally, compared to that .... my life is peaches and cream ;o)

When people are doing something that hurts me badly .... I am reminded it's really not them, it's Satan. If it's chronic ... well ... I remove myself from the situation and check back later to see if anything has changed ... sometimes it does other times not. I keep checking back though.

Continue in His word, stay focused on Jesus, He will go through everything with you. Focus on His love. Perhaps also try finding a hobby and/or activities you enjoy. Consider doing some service work helping others and expose yourself to people who have a good positive attitude overall ... they are out there. Keep looking until you find them.

If you have earnestly prayed for forgiveness and have repented, then you ARE forgiven, know that and accept that. Having trials and tribulation does not mean you haven't been forgiven.

He died for you so you can live with Him.
He will help you overcome.

Will pray for you my friend.

God Bless.

Thank you, Eleos. Your comment was very helpful.

I understand Christians can come under attack from demons, and whether my struggle is related to that, I'm not 100% sure. But believe me I've tried my best to focus on his word, his promises, and saving grace, and I've never prayed for selfish reasons and nor would I ever do such a thing. All I want is for the burdens to be lifted because I can't hold on for much longer.

Please, pray for me.

Can't control the thoughts and feelings we get or people in our lives. It's best to put aside perfections and expectations as neither are something worth pursuing. What helps is understanding how we're to be righteous seeking Christ Jesus, to have the humility and a big part of it is patience. Admit there's nothing you can do to change yourself and any change must come from him. Then wait faithfully each day, concern yourself for the day and not further; also the same with everything you do during the day.

As for all the things you're doing, try not having certain expectations. What's being sought should be mainly about your relationship with the Lord. This does include prayers, fasts, and studies (reading the Bible); but it should be focused first on the relationship and whatever comes outside of it is additional. If you're not getting joy during these periods, then think about changing your approach. Sometimes when I feel as you said left out and lost, it helps not only coming to the Lord but includes fellowship (sharing in the Lord feeling as if I belong).

Last I'd say the fact you're feeling this way and reaching out the way you have shows your faith. Nothing wrong about finding yourself when it's genuine. You're seeking answers from God and coming to people for help, so please don't think poorly of yourself and try being thankful for your life (remember the good moments or things you've had).

Thank you, Brotherly Spirit, your comment was very insightful.

I've definitely waited, and I've been patient for a while now, and although weeks and months mean nothing to God, it's a long time for us, especially when you cry for help and yet no sign of help comes your way. That is currently my situation.

In regards to prayer, fasting and reading the Bible, I've certainly been doing all of that and some more. In fact, I've been teaching my younger relatives all about Jesus and his work of salvation for us and it feels good because it helps me take my mind of my problems for a while.

Please, Pray for me.

 

[Rescued One]

They say they're Christians, but I don't know what to make of it. I've always been kind and compassionate towards all of them and was quick to forgive and forget what they had done, but recently, it's different. The altercation happened because one of them did something that slightly bothered me, and went I politely asked them to stop, I was labelled as the crazy one, and now they're all defending the same person over me when I did nothing wrong.

Please, Pray for me.

I understand. My mother told someone (in front of me) I was her crazy one one time. My sister told my teens to rebel against us, their parents. The two children who were teens at that time did rebel and risked their own lives doing it. My parents and all the siblings I grew up with were not Christians. My husband and I took our kids and moved away from all the family.

You are learning how not to treat people. God will be able to use you.

I certainly will pray for you! I love to pray.

 

[LightandDark]

I understand. My mother told someone (in front of me) I was her crazy one one time. My sister told my teens to rebel against us, their parents. The two children who were teens at that time did rebel and risked their own lives doing it. My parents and all the siblings I grew up with were not Christians. My husband and I took our kids and moved away from all the family.

You are learning how not to treat people. God will be able to use you.

I certainly will pray for you! I love to pray.

I am sorry to hear that happening to you. It is truly sad when those whom you consider family become a stranger, or much worse, an enemy for little to no reason. I hope things are much better for you now that you've moved away.

You're too kind, thank you so much for the prayers. God bless you abundantly.

 

[AnnaDeborah]

Praying for you

 

[Dave G.]

This is why I'm here, Brother Dave. I've been praying and struggling with this issue for weeks with no good results at all. I've tried my best to let go of the thoughts and feelings and focus on positive things, but they just won't go away and the depression kicks in as soon as I think about them. I've earnestly prayed, read the Bible and had a 2 day fast, but all I hear is silence from the other side.

Sometimes I get the urge to just give up everything, but I try my best to persist. I always try my best to fight back the struggle and continue on... But I'm not sure if I could hold on for that much longer. Please, pray for me.

I heard a story one time. It was a tremendous burden on this man that his wife left Him and he prayed and prayed for relief from the Lord over this. He got to the point that he was begging the Lord at least answer him. One day the Lord did answer Him and explained that it was not the mans heart that He needed to work in but the woman, "the woman has the problem not you".. See the Lord is all about souls and hers is in danger not his. Same for our family members, we are in the Lord and they are living and conducting themselves outside His will ( yes I have family against me too). They don't see it that way but are deceived.

It's easy to concentrate on self, consider you're dwelling on self and hurt but yet are in The Lord. You have every reason to rejoice actually, in Him because it is He who is the way the truth and the life and that is eternal. You have Jesus and you have His book full of teachings and He says that it is He who is sufficient for you. We look to His favor not the favor of men or of the world. Our eternal home is not here but above. And here we will have tribulation during our time on earth... It is to be expected but men and earth don't bring us our unbreakable joy, God does. We can find joy in those who also share in this Grace from above, the people with souls who make up the Body Of Christ.. I pray your family ( or mine) could find this Grace and love but I rejoice that you found it.. Sometimes we only have certain people for a season. But that doesn't mean that we don't love them.

 

[Richard T]

I am glad you are reaching out to God and it certainly does sound like you are making progress. So please do not grow weary but let the Lord give you strength. Be sure to continue in fellowship with other believers and hopefully a church where you can be a part of a strong community. That you are now trying to live for the Lord, the devil likely now is trying to impede your progress by creating as much chaos as possible. Resist him and push back on the anxiety and negative thinking about what you are going to do in the next fight etc. If this persists for some time, seeking some Christian counseling would be advised.

As to your family, some are pretty dysfunctional and clearing space for yourself might be advised if this is an ongoing problem. The grass is not always greener but a move can sometimes be quite beneficial.

 

[Brotherly Spirit]

Certainly will pray for you. I'm hopefully God is willing and has been listening to you. Just life isn't always simple having easy answers to our problems. It's great you're actively seeking him and even sharing him with others in your family. Doesn't seem to me you have a spiritual problem, it's the difficulty of the present circumstances from what happened. You don't want to be isolated from your family regardless, and it doesn't help when you're reminded of that distance living with them.

Only solutions long term I think are either reconciliation with them or moving away living without them. As I sit here, what I have in mind from the Bible are Jesus telling us to pursue peace with our brothers and forgiving them; also God telling Lot and his family to leave the city not looking back. So if it's bothering you and feel something needs to be done, be the one to initiate efforts to talk and forgive. Then what's left is for them to decide, whether to accept or deny your effort; at this point it's on them and all you can do is move ahead with your life.

 

[Kit Sigmon]

Hi,

I do apologise in advance if the title is somewhat vague or clickbait-y, but it's exactly how I feel right now in regards to my faith, my position with God, and life's situations.

Just a few weeks ago, a relative invited me to a brief Bible study at their house, and after we had completed the study, I felt convicted and in need of renewing my faith almost immediately. Listening to his testimony and his close relationship to God had me all excited because I wanted something similar and I wanted to pick up where I left off... Suffice to say, I've prayed and read my Bible almost every night since, and I've attempted to abstain from sin as best as I can because I wanted to take God more seriously.

Unfortunately though, my life's gotten somewhat worse in terms of relationships with my family, anxiety, depression, really minor thoughts of suicide and hopelessness. I feel left out and hopeless with no way to escape my bad thoughts and feelings. I don't understand?

I had a verbal altercation with my family a few weeks ago and I've prayed for it to get better every single night since, but it seems to be getting worse than anything, and the thoughts of that fight are on my mind every minute of every day. It makes me feel hopeless, lost and in need of direction because I feel like another dispute will happen again soon as they're slowly testing my patience and love for them.

Instead of focusing on my faith, like I should be, I sometimes go on for hours thinking of how to be prepared for the next fight, should it happen, or what had happened in the previous fight. The only thing that makes me feel somewhat better is leaving the house for a few hours, but then I have to come back because I can't leave permanently for personal reasons.

My chest/heart feels cold and uneasy all the time, similar to that feeling you get when you're about to do something risky, and I've shed many tears during prayer for forgiveness, guidance and help, but I get no answers nor do I see anything improving, and worst of all, my anxiety and depression are stacking up really quickly, and it's strange because I've never felt like this before nor have I had an issue with the family until recently.

I have no one to turn to because not everyone is bothered with my issues, and I don't feel like burdening my relative with my dilemma since he has his own life to work out.

Why do I feel like this? Why do I feel forsaken? I feel like a single lit candle in a dark room, with no hope or help anywhere around me, and soon my light will go out. It's gotten so bad that I envied someone who had died recently.

I've wholeheartedly prayed for forgiveness and help. I've cried for support and answers, and I've spent hours just sitting on my bed in the dark, hoping that something will happen to improve my situation with the family, but there's none to help.

I've prayed, fasted, and read the Bible every night. What else am I missing? What am I doing wrong?

Do you have connections with mature believers in your area and or church?

You know your family members and if they be against you for being a believer
then all that's going to happen when you are around them is friction.
If you are of age and are living with family, perhaps it's time to seriously be
thinking and seeking your own digs (home).

 

[LightandDark]

I heard a story one time. It was a tremendous burden on this man that his wife left Him and he prayed and prayed for relief from the Lord over this. He got to the point that he was begging the Lord at least answer him. One day the Lord did answer Him and explained that it was not the mans heart that He needed to work in but the woman, "the woman has the problem not you".. See the Lord is all about souls and hers is in danger not his. Same for our family members, we are in the Lord and they are living and conducting themselves outside His will ( yes I have family against me too). They don't see it that way but are deceived.

It's easy to concentrate on self, consider you're dwelling on self and hurt but yet are in The Lord. You have every reason to rejoice actually, in Him because it is He who is the way the truth and the life and that is eternal. You have Jesus and you have His book full of teachings and He says that it is He who is sufficient for you. We look to His favor not the favor of men or of the world. Our eternal home is not here but above. And here we will have tribulation during our time on earth... It is to be expected but men and earth don't bring us our unbreakable joy, God does. We can find joy in those who also share in this Grace from above, the people with souls who make up the Body Of Christ.. I pray your family ( or mine) could find this Grace and love but I rejoice that you found it.. Sometimes we only have certain people for a season. But that doesn't mean that we don't love them.

That was a beautiful story, thank you for sharing because it puts certain things into perspective for me even though my situation doesn't exactly match the man's problem.

You see, my struggle with depression and anxiety began when I had an argument with a family member about an issue that they were continuously bothering me with, and I know for a fact that this individual will not change no matter what is said or done and my other family members are siding with them rather than trying to see it my way, and this began to happen shortly after I decided to become more faithful.

Most of the depression and anxiety is related to that I believe, and that shouldn't happen because I've always been able to forgive and forget things quickly, but this is persistent.

I am glad you are reaching out to God and it certainly does sound like you are making progress. So please do not grow weary but let the Lord give you strength. Be sure to continue in fellowship with other believers and hopefully a church where you can be a part of a strong community. That you are now trying to live for the Lord, the devil likely now is trying to impede your progress by creating as much chaos as possible. Resist him and push back on the anxiety and negative thinking about what you are going to do in the next fight etc. If this persists for some time, seeking some Christian counseling would be advised.

As to your family, some are pretty dysfunctional and clearing space for yourself might be advised if this is an ongoing problem. The grass is not always greener but a move can sometimes be quite beneficial.

Thank you, Richard T.

I'm currently looking for a church group that I could join because I want more Christian friends and company, and also a place where I could get baptised and fully commit my life to Christ. I'm 24 years old, and as stated in a reply to someone else, I can't leave the house just yet for personal reasons, but should it ever get to the point where I no longer feel comfortable here, then I will try my best to leave.

You see, my struggle with depression and anxiety began when I had an argument with a family member about an issue that they were continuously bothering me with, and I know for a fact that this individual will not change no matter what is said or done and my other family members are siding with them rather than trying to see it my way, and this began to happen shortly after I decided to become more faithful.

Certainly will pray for you. I'm hopefully God is willing and has been listening to you. Just life isn't always simple having easy answers to our problems. It's great you're actively seeking him and even sharing him with others in your family. Doesn't seem to me you have a spiritual problem, it's the difficulty of the present circumstances from what happened. You don't want to be isolated from your family regardless, and it doesn't help when you're reminded of that distance living with them.

Only solutions long term I think are either reconciliation with them or moving away living without them. As I sit here, what I have in mind from the Bible are Jesus telling us to pursue peace with our brothers and forgiving them; also God telling Lot and his family to leave the city not looking back. So if it's bothering you and feel something needs to be done, be the one to initiate efforts to talk and forgive. Then what's left is for them to decide, whether to accept or deny your effort; at this point it's on them and all you can do is move ahead with your life.

Thank you, Brotherly Spirit.

Whether my struggle is spiritual or not, I really do not know. But what I do know is that this struggle with the family member happened shortly after I decided to become more faithful, and even though we've had similar arguments before, none of them seem to have bothered me as much as the last one did, and this family member has become as stubborn as ever, believing that they are never wrong in anything and are constantly testing my patience with their behavior, and everyone else have now decided to defend them over me, even though I did absolutely nothing wrong.

I can't leave just yet for personal responsibilities, but should it come to that, I will definitely get out and not look back.

Do you have connections with mature believers in your area and or church?

You know your family members and if they be against you for being a believer
then all that's going to happen when you are around them is friction.
If you are of age and are living with family, perhaps it's time to seriously be
thinking and seeking your own digs (home).

No, I don't have any connections with anyone. But I do hope to find some that I could join soon. I need a fresh group of people that are more Christ-like and less world-like.

My family aren't against me for being a believer because they claim they're also believers, the issue started when I politely asked one of them to stop doing something that was bothering me, and now everyone is against me for standing up for myself.

The depression, anxiety and hopelessness kicked in all shortly afterwards. I can't think straight most of the time because that altercation is always on my mind and I always feel the need to be prepared for the next fight, in case it happens again. They've become stubborn and will never admit their wrongdoings.

 

[Brotherly Spirit]

Whatever seems to be the case that's causing you to feel this way, remember you're just human and them too. Sometimes we over-analyze a past moment or period in our lives, it only leads to second-guesses and regrets. Also to reliving it in our memories returning those emotions to the surface. If there's not much you can do about them, it's something that must be resolved within you for peace.

When you get these thoughts about the situation, immediately pray to the Lord for understanding and strength. Let him know as you should, all you did was voice yourself to another and politely asked him or her to stop. For that person to have consideration as it was bothering you. Now having difficult relations with your family for it in time improve, to take the anxiety and hopelessness away; replacing them with patience and hope. With all your faith in honesty and truth speak to him, believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior leaving it all to him. Not only for his compassion and forgiveness toward you, but for you with him to have it toward your family.

You said similar arguments had happened in the past, but it didn't bother you as much. It's after you seriously involved yourself with the Christian faith. Possibly it's a matter of faith that's being tested for you to seek God in a way that brings you nearer to him. In moments or periods of need we all feel alone and lost, but as Christians we're to rely on the Lord and turn to our fellow Christians for support. All I can think is continue to have faith in Jesus and remember he plus those of him are here for you.

 

[Rescued One]

@LightandDark How are things going? I'm praying for you!

 

[LightandDark]

@LightandDark How are things going? I'm praying for you!

Although the issue with the family has not be resolved yet and I still feel somewhat stressed, I definitely feel much better since posting this thread.

Thank you so much for the prayers, Phoebe Ann. It's all very much appreciated.

 

[Rescued One]