I have lost all my zest for life

[headphones777]

I have lost all my zest for life. The diagnosis of schizophrenia further complicates things and brings my sanity into question. This makes me doubt that the experiences I had in the past were actually from God. Prayer feels meaningless because I feel I cannot feel the presence or hear the inner voice of God. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. Nothing I do seems to fulfill me. Two of my friends have mental problems and I don't know how to help them, prayer does not work. I feel like I've lost the Holy Spirit despite being baptized because the fruits of the Spirit are not evident in my life, this is only one of the reasons why I feel like that. I don't know why God does not give me the Holy Spirit especially since he promised that he would do it in Luke 11. All I long for is to have a one-on-one talk with God face-to-face, like Moses had in Exodus 33 (it makes no sense that God would speak to Moses that way back in Exodus, yet he refuses to provide a similar means for people like me who genuinely desire God's guidance in their life). Does anyone have advice for me?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I have lost all my zest for life. The diagnosis of schizophrenia further complicates things and brings my sanity into question. This makes me doubt that the experiences I had in the past were actually from God. Prayer feels meaningless because I feel I cannot feel the presence or hear the inner voice of God. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. Nothing I do seems to fulfill me. Two of my friends have mental problems and I don't know how to help them, prayer does not work. I feel like I've lost the Holy Spirit despite being baptized because the fruits of the Spirit are not evident in my life, this is only one of the reasons why I feel like that. I don't know why God does not give me the Holy Spirit especially since he promised that he would do it in Luke 11. All I long for is to have a one-on-one talk with God face-to-face, like Moses had in Exodus 33 (it makes no sense that God would speak to Moses that way back in Exodus, yet he refuses to provide a similar means for people like me who genuinely desire God's guidance in their life). Does anyone have advice for me?

Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit today! Repent from doubt! And walk with Him daily. He will wash you with Living Waters so that you have peace once and for all.
Be blessed.

 

[headphones777]

Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit today! Repent from doubt! And walk with Him daily. He will wash you with Living Waters so that you have peace once and for all.
Be blessed.

Don't you think I've already asked? I asked for a few hours only to receive nothing.... I've also asked on previous occasions only to receive nothing...

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Don't you think I've already asked? I asked for a few hours only to receive nothing.... I've also asked on previous occasions only to receive nothing...

You doubt. This will quench His work in you. Love and humbleness does not come easy, ask Him to soften your heart. You seem angry. I pray your love for Him grows. I also pray that your understanding becomes more clear. He makes His Home in the beliver. Do you believe or do you believe when you have proof?

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

I have lost all my zest for life. The diagnosis of schizophrenia further complicates things and brings my sanity into question. This makes me doubt that the experiences I had in the past were actually from God. Prayer feels meaningless because I feel I cannot feel the presence or hear the inner voice of God. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. Nothing I do seems to fulfill me. Two of my friends have mental problems and I don't know how to help them, prayer does not work. I feel like I've lost the Holy Spirit despite being baptized because the fruits of the Spirit are not evident in my life, this is only one of the reasons why I feel like that. I don't know why God does not give me the Holy Spirit especially since he promised that he would do it in Luke 11. All I long for is to have a one-on-one talk with God face-to-face, like Moses had in Exodus 33 (it makes no sense that God would speak to Moses that way back in Exodus, yet he refuses to provide a similar means for people like me who genuinely desire God's guidance in their life). Does anyone have advice for me?

Hello, a late welcome to you, I have read today many of your posts to get more information.

Your expectations of having a one on one with GOD are not realistic for now, many holy men and women never had this opportunity. Exodus 33:20 (KJV): "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live."

None can see God at this time but the book of revelations promises that in paradise you will see him! Focus on this! see these verses below;

Revelation 21:3 (KJV): "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
Revelation 22:4 (KJV): "And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads."

Now, How to get there and not to get lost;

John 14:6 (KJV):"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 7:37-38 (KJV): "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

John 10:7-9 (KJV): "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

It means Jesus is the Only way to eternal Life he is the light of the world and no one else. If you follow his teachings and do as he said you will follow the narrow path that leads to life, following anyone else is the Wide path that leads to Death.

If you want to discuss further, I will be here for you.

BLessings.

 

[headphones777]

Hello, a late welcome to you, I have read today many of your posts to get more information.

Your expectations of having a one on one with GOD are not realistic for now, many holy men and women never had this opportunity. Exodus 33:20 (KJV): "And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live."

None can see God at this time but the book of revelations promises that in paradise you will see him! Focus on this! see these verses below;

Revelation 21:3 (KJV): "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
Revelation 22:4 (KJV): "And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads."

Now, How to get there and not to get lost;

John 14:6 (KJV):"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 7:37-38 (KJV): "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

John 10:7-9 (KJV): "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

It means Jesus is the Only way to eternal Life he is the light of the world and no one else. If you follow his teachings and do as he said you will follow the narrow path that leads to life, following anyone else is the Wide path that leads to Death.

If you want to discuss further, I will be here for you.

BLessings.

Your post is informative, but not very helpful. How should I "come to Jesus", if he has not designated a location for me to meet him at? Sure, I can pray, and pretend that the nebulous voice in my mind is the voice of the Holy Spirit, but it's not working.

 

[JesusFollowerForever]

Your post is informative, but not very helpful. How should I "come to Jesus", if he has not designated a location for me to meet him at? Sure, I can pray, and pretend that the nebulous voice in my mind is the voice of the Holy Spirit, but it's not working.

I have a feeling anything i may say will be futile, am i right of do you want to seriously discuss?

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

Your post is informative, but not very helpful. How should I "come to Jesus", if he has not designated a location for me to meet him at? Sure, I can pray, and pretend that the nebulous voice in my mind is the voice of the Holy Spirit, but it's not working.

He has. Instead of asking for yourself, go and do for Him through others! There are more unfortunate than you out there. Go find them and help them! Matthew 25

 

[Lukaris]

It is not always easy but we need to keep our faith where we are ( 2 Corinthians 12:9). Indeed, read 2 Corinthians 12:1-11. It is ok to keep praying for better things but not lose our foundation.

 

[chevyontheriver]

I have lost all my zest for life. The diagnosis of schizophrenia further complicates things and brings my sanity into question. This makes me doubt that the experiences I had in the past were actually from God. Prayer feels meaningless because I feel I cannot feel the presence or hear the inner voice of God. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. Nothing I do seems to fulfill me. Two of my friends have mental problems and I don't know how to help them, prayer does not work. I feel like I've lost the Holy Spirit despite being baptized because the fruits of the Spirit are not evident in my life, this is only one of the reasons why I feel like that. I don't know why God does not give me the Holy Spirit especially since he promised that he would do it in Luke 11. All I long for is to have a one-on-one talk with God face-to-face, like Moses had in Exodus 33 (it makes no sense that God would speak to Moses that way back in Exodus, yet he refuses to provide a similar means for people like me who genuinely desire God's guidance in their life). Does anyone have advice for me?

The Holy Spirit indwells every baptized person. That is way more than a feeling, as feelings come and go. Confidently ask God for protection and blessing and don’t worry about how it feels. Work on holiness instead of any sensations. In other words follow the ordinary indications of what God wills for you and worry less about anything extraordinary. That will still happen once in a while but the everyday following of God’s promptings for you is much more mundane. And that’s OK. Pray. Confess. Go to mass. Keep custody of your eyes and of your tongue. Do good where you can. Avoid the near occasion of sin. Study. And do keep asking for God to reveal even more to you. Just accept that it will sometimes not be dramatic but rather plain.

 

[HoseasLot]

Hi I'm new here was just looking round to see if I wanted to join. I am 55nand just discovered I've been living with a very masked but severe anxiety disorder and depression since childhood. It wasn't recognised and so I was just told to get on with it. I saw your post and wanted to offer what I have. I've been recently reacquainting myself with the Holy Spirit, I found the reason so many Christians don't enjoy His presence is they simply don't recognise Him. As I have let Him lead me in this I find that there are what I can only call signs of His presence in the same way as Jesus described Him as being like the wind (John 3) We recognise the wind by it's effects but it has certain effects we recognise if we look for the wrong effects we would miss the wind. Sorry awkward analogy I know. So we need to learn to recognise the Holy Spirit. Right now according to 'experts' someone like me whose life has been wrecked by an until now unseen monster should be suicidal, having a full on crisis. I'm not great, each day is a struggle but I'm letting it draw me closer to God so instead I feel like I'm am being 'held' together by something unseen, that to me is His Spirit in me. He led me to a word today, a promise, it doesn't end here for "He is is a rewarder of those who believe on Him and seek Him" (He11). I'm thinking of sharing my journey getting to know the Holy Spirit as an ever present companion (Paraclete one of His names in Greek means one who is always right next to you). Try a Bible search of the NT and find all the references to them and begin to think about what the mean, what they tell you about Him.

 

[Lost Witness]

Its God's Grace that will get you where you need to be.
You just have to believe the way a child does.
A child not having seen his father, sits and waits on him.
He does all he can because indeed it's his hearts very desire to please his dad.
His dad is his world, his superhero.
The Lord said we must be like little children.
As a child.
I lived and played without a care or worry.
Believed every word my parents told me and my Dad was my everything.
This is what I believe the lord wants.
Us to trust that what he said is true even if we can't see it.
Even if our very eyes try to lead us to doubting his promises.
I've struggled time to time with this and its been by his grace alone I have repented of things I didn't even know I had fallen into but he's faithful to finish the good work that he's started in you because The Lord isn't like a man that he should lie.
Let's work on believing this for each other for we all struggle with doubt at times
The Lord Knows this.
Whats important is you repent of the doubt / disbelief as doubt turns into disbelief and once you repent of it ask the Lord to Cleanse You from All unrighteousness as he likes it when we stand on his word and his promises and believe this.
The Lord Hears you.
There isn't a moment when your alone

 

[Jo555]

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I have lost all my zest for life. The diagnosis of schizophrenia further complicates things and brings my sanity into question. This makes me doubt that the experiences I had in the past were actually from God. Prayer feels meaningless because I feel I cannot feel the presence or hear the inner voice of God. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. Nothing I do seems to fulfill me. Two of my friends have mental problems and I don't know how to help them, prayer does not work. I feel like I've lost the Holy Spirit despite being baptized because the fruits of the Spirit are not evident in my life, this is only one of the reasons why I feel like that. I don't know why God does not give me the Holy Spirit especially since he promised that he would do it in Luke 11. All I long for is to have a one-on-one talk with God face-to-face, like Moses had in Exodus 33 (it makes no sense that God would speak to Moses that way back in Exodus, yet he refuses to provide a similar means for people like me who genuinely desire God's guidance in their life). Does anyone have advice for me?

I suspect it is a season that you are in. Maybe He wants you to venture out and reach out to others, as you are doing now.

I remember one time being in my room asking for his presence and nothing. I got so frustrated I left my room and began watching a movie with my brother. We had a splendid time and when I returned to my room expecting nothing, his presence was there.

I got the message. He wanted me out and just sharing quality time with my brother who probably needed me then.

So I'm not saying it's the same for you, but maybe He does want you reaching out as you are doing now.

I pray He sees you through this season to living waters overflowing and bearing much fruit.

Seasons I suspect it is. Stay sensitive to what He may be saying to you within your heart.

We all can relate one way or another. You'll get through to the other side. Rest in Him while you wait on Him.

 

[Sacred.Beautiful.]

I have lost all my zest for life. The diagnosis of schizophrenia further complicates things and brings my sanity into question. This makes me doubt that the experiences I had in the past were actually from God. Prayer feels meaningless because I feel I cannot feel the presence or hear the inner voice of God. I feel like I don't know who I am anymore. Nothing I do seems to fulfill me. Two of my friends have mental problems and I don't know how to help them, prayer does not work. I feel like I've lost the Holy Spirit despite being baptized because the fruits of the Spirit are not evident in my life, this is only one of the reasons why I feel like that. I don't know why God does not give me the Holy Spirit especially since he promised that he would do it in Luke 11. All I long for is to have a one-on-one talk with God face-to-face, like Moses had in Exodus 33 (it makes no sense that God would speak to Moses that way back in Exodus, yet he refuses to provide a similar means for people like me who genuinely desire God's guidance in their life). Does anyone have advice for me?

Man, I feel for you. And I can really relate. Schizophrenia is a very challenging and mysterious disease.

I recently was in a similar place where I was asking God why it is that I have tried so hard to understand what's really true and yet, it seems that the more I search for an experience of God and for the truth, the farther and farther away He feels from me.
He responded, simply, "I hid My face from you." I think sometimes God does this in order to spur on our spiritual growth.

I would ask, what do you think that you're truly looking for?
And can it be that this is driven by insecurity?

"The only true security in this life lies in the certainty that God is faithful and can never abandon us because his fatherly tenderness is irrevocable." ~Jacques Philippe

As for advice, I would simply say to just be open, with the awareness that God rarely works in the ways we expect.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Sacred.Beautiful.]

Have you ever watched The Chosen? It's helped me tremendously in terms of feeling a closeness to God.

 

[Sacred.Beautiful.]

A quote from C.S. Lewis:

"When you come to knowing God, the initiative lies on His side. If He does not show Himself, nothing you can do will enable you to find Him. And, in fact, He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others - not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition. Just as sunlight, though it has no favourites, cannot be reflected in a dusty mirror as clearly as in a clean one.
You can put this another way by saying that while in other sciences the instruments you use are things external to yourself (things like microscopes and telescopes), the instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred - like the Moon through a dirty telescope. That is why horrible nations have horrible religions: they have been looking at God through a dirty lens.
God can show Himself as He really is only to real men."

 

[Paulwat]

Hey, I just want to say — thank you for being honest and vulnerable. What you're walking through sounds incredibly heavy, and it's okay to not have it all figured out. You're not alone in questioning, in longing, in wrestling with God in the silence.


Mental illness doesn't disqualify your experiences with God or your ability to know Him. Schizophrenia can shake your sense of reality, but it doesn’t negate your worth or your capacity to be loved by God. He sees you—the real you behind the noise and confusion—and He’s not repelled by your struggles. If anything, He draws nearer to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).


That longing you feel to connect with God face-to-face? That’s not crazy. It’s the cry of someone who deeply desires truth and closeness with their Creator. You're echoing the same hunger Moses had, the same longing David wrote about in the Psalms, and even what Jesus experienced on the cross when He cried out, "Why have You forsaken me?"


It may feel like the Holy Spirit is absent, but feelings are not always reliable, especially when you're in the middle of emotional and mental distress. The fruits of the Spirit aren't instant results — they're gradual growth. And sometimes they grow deepest when everything else in life feels barren.


My advice: hold onto the smallest thread of faith you can. If you can’t pray, just sit in silence and say, “God, I’m here.” If Scripture feels distant, just stay with one verse, like Romans 8:26 — “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… when we don’t know what to pray.” And get support — talk to a wise pastor, counselor, or Christian therapist who understands mental health and can walk with you patiently.


You're not abandoned. You're not too far gone. God is still with you — even if it’s hard to sense Him. And this community wants to walk with you too. Please don’t give up.

 

[timewerx]

All I long for is to have a one-on-one talk with God face-to-face, like Moses had in Exodus 33 (it makes no sense that God would speak to Moses that way back in Exodus, yet he refuses to provide a similar means for people like me who genuinely desire God's guidance in their life). Does anyone have advice for me?

That would be very complicated. It would send the whole world into panic for God to descend in a massive cloud-looking thing just to talk to some Christians.

The stock market will tumble, panic buying, looting, chaos, sending superpowers at the highest nuclear alert levels. It will be like the end of the world.

It was so different back in the time of Moses. There were only few people and very large objects can land in the middle of nowhere without triggering alarm bells in some NORAD facility somewhere. They didn't have those things back then.

Otherwise, it's totally understandable if you don't hear God's voice either. There's always a sensible logic behind it. You're OK. You still have the Bible and gut feelings to discern stuff and help guide you in making decisions.

It can be as simple as "your time hasn't come yet". Have patience in waiting. Understandably the hardest part.

I have brain damage and all the huge problems it caused my whole life. I spent over 30 years waiting for healing. I seem to be healing now but it took very long like 30 years I have already forgotten about it.