Depressed and feeling like a failure

Dear lovely ,

Many of the most successful entrepreneurs failed miserably in their first venture , or two , or three ... but holding fast hope , they persevered , and applied the wisdom learned through those " hard lessons " .

Don't give up on your godly dreams ... if you have to go back to work a regular job for a while - so be it , that's not necessarily a failure , but a time of regrouping / refortifying in preparation of " round two " or " three " or " four " or however many times it takes !

Those who persevere endure + overcome . You may even be led to write an inspirational book about it all ?!

Dear Lord Jesus , May Your Mercy and Grace sustain and preserve , for the Glory of Your Holy Name . Amen .

wm

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein


If you can make this distinction, I think you'll be much happier: You are not a failure; your run at a business was.

According to the U.S Small Business administration, 50% of businesses fail in the 1st 5 years. Why Small Businesses Fail: SBA So you've got company.

You made some mistakes. Okay - true. Now what? What will you do with your life?

You've gotta eat sometime. And to eat, you'll need money - so take a job. If you get your old job back, great! You're already qualified to do it Don't let one bad run at a business stop you from ever trying to do anything ever again.

Mistakes happen. That doesn't get us offside with God. What is important is to learn and become wiser for the future. Welcome to the fellowship of those who have made some dumb decisons in life.

John
NZ

Praying for you, Lovely,

And amen to the other posts. We have all made mistakes, and your business failure does not mean that you are a failure. The enemy would have you condemn yourself, castigate yourself, and every other defeating thing. Most of all, the enemy wants you to blame God, so please keep your eyes on Jesus, and trust Him to help you in your time of need. He loves you, and He has many things to teach you in this situation.

Think about Joseph, and how God used sorrow in his life. We do not always understand why difficult things are allowed to happen to us, but God, in His wisdom, knows exactly how to turn earthly mistakes into eternal blessings.

The things that seem the most difficult, yes, even impossible, are oftimes the very things God uses to conform us to His image.

Read the following passage, and linger on the first verse, Lovely. Jesus is with you.

Rom 8:28-32
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
KJV

God foreknew you, that you would be His child. He even knew all about this particular situation that you are now going through, and He is able to resolve it for your eternal well-being. As His child, you are justified and glorified in Him, and He will never leave you nor forsake you. The enemy tries very hard to make us doubt God when we are suffering, so please guard against that particular attack.

The best way to guard against doubt is to stay in the Word. Read the New Testament over and over, and your faith in God will increase as you listen to Him speak to your heart. It is by hearing God speak to us that our faith is increased. Genuine faith is very solid, and it rests on Who God Is, not what He does. He wants all of us to have rock solid faith in Him, no matter what our circumstances are.

Here is some additional scripture that may help you in establishing an eternal perspective concerning your situation:

Phil 3:7-10
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
KJV

Try to still your broken heart and listen quietly to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in your heart. Then, one step at a time, He will show you how to begin to move toward re-establishing your life. I do not know your exact circumstances, but I do know that God is faithful.

As for your friends, the true friends will love you through this situation and will not think badly of you for it.

Job's so called friends gave him poor advice when he had lost everything, and even tried to get him to doubt God. Here was Job's response, and I pray it will be yours, as well.

Job 23:8-10
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job was in such anguish that he could not sense God's presence, even though he knew God was there, but he stayed his heart on God and spoke words of resounding victory.

I pray that you will choose to make those words your own.

God bless you,

tfg

sbbqb7n16 said:

According to the U.S Small Business administration, 50% of businesses fail in the 1st 5 years. Why Small Businesses Fail: SBA So you've got company.

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And that's a conservative estimate: my business-oriented professors have put the modern number closer to 65%. And it's worth pointing out that every single person on the Fortune 100 list had at least one business fail (and usually several) before they found one that actually grew.

Part of having your own business is the personal risk involved. I'm sorry you're experiencing that. But if you think you can actually run one, know you're going to go through this sort of uncertainty before you actually succeed. It's painful, but it's normal.

Additionally, you shouldn't feel like a failure for going back to a normal job. It's hard to start and maintain a business, and most people can't handle it well. There's no shame in a normal job. Try to really enjoy it or find things about it you enjoy, and you may find yourself more content than you thought you would be.

I'm sorry you are going through this...
I lost my house, and it's difficult losing something you have worked your whole life to have. But the debt and the stress was heavy, and making me an ugly person. I am now a renter, living in a house just as nice, paying less than half of what my house paymet was, and when something broke down in this house the other day, I didn't have to fix it, and it feels wonderful to be free of the stress. Now I'm not saying to just let your house go, I did everything i could to save mine, but in all things God will give us the grace and strength to see us through.
Failure is when we lean on our own understanding...but even then we still have grace.
Theres no shame in trying, you did your best, going back to work may have a few days of embarrassment, but may lead to a lifetime of peace.
People forget easily, most are consumed with their own life
This to shall pass....

Father help this lovely lady see herself as you see her, and let Your kingdom take residence in her as righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost

Don't you just love it.. open up a business.. just in time to watch business take a down turn... with yours included...

It is all in the timing.... If you could only hang on... the return to better days is coming... keep costs to a minium... and wait..or get a job and close up shop.

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

I went through a similar situation, so I feel your pain. I too had to go back to work (to the same company). It was humbling, but that is exactly what I needed. Perhaps God is challenging your pride, as He did mine. The point is: it may well have been God's plan for you to do this (starting a new business and failing). For me, it was a critical turning point in my life, and one that I don't regret at all.

******************************************************************

Yeah ,

The fact that you could go back to work , in these tough economic times , speaks of God's Blessing upon your life .

As those who chose to employ you can likely attest , in esteeming you a worthy employee .

******************************************************************

Dear Lovely,

So thankful that you are encouraged and feeling better, today. May God continue to bless you with the peace that comes through faith in Him.

tfg

Trust me when I say I know exactly how you feel. I did the same thing but with school last year. Came to a point when I realized this wasnt what I wanted when I left. Im getting older & it put so much pressure on me. Left me humiliated & feeling like a failure. In despair & the criticism from family members just made it worse. I wouldnt leave the house for months. I went into school with no debt & came out in a lot of debt. I went to an expensive school. I wasnt working. Usually love trying new jobs etc. but I felt like a quitter & failure & failed others by even thinking of returning to work any job. Well after a lot of pain & depression... I learn it takes REAL STRENGTH from someone to keep pushing forward even if you have start again from the bottom.

I agree with other replies here without MISTAKES you would never learn anything or have an exciting life to tell about later on. You never know where the direction you took is leading you now. I regretted for awhile going to school. I use to be stronger before school but my life was becoming stale I needed a challenge. Going to school has opened up a bigger window in my life because now I know what I do not want Im still in debt though... but you take care of the small things do what you can do & God will do the rest.

There are lessons here to learn & they might not have anything to do with the business you were pursuing. through my problem I learned to let go of my ego, Im more determined now since Ive been better to keep going & this time put up my boundaries with those who've criticised me. Without this experience I would have never reached out for help or learned how to ask for help. I learn who my enemies are & who are my friends. I saw what I was capable of doing & what more I could possibly do. Dont let money stop you Like I said before you never know what this step you took is actually really leading you to.

The failures are the ones who never try. Now you just know what not to do or what to do better when you pursue your own business again.

Believe me I wanted to go back before I started school & started taking risks because it seemed like along with that risk relationships were falling apart.. My life was falling apart. My boundaries & my views on life were falling apart.

But when you have nothing... & dont know which way to go just keep going & trusting God. Dont give up.

I looked for a small job I always wanted to do... I always wanted to try waitressing & there is a river around my town that I love going to .. Turns out I found an amazing job at a seafood restaurant right on the River. Now I dont plan on being here forever & its certainly not going to get me through my college debt but its going to help me afford to move forward & keep looking & give me something to do while God is working in the background. I havent felt this free in a very long time!!!! Funny how things turn out!!!

Oh and Id also like to add it brought me closer to someone very special to me.


I hope this helped a little bit!

There is always the promise of tomorrow.

lovely182 said:

Please pray for me. I have been feeling depressed and crying every single day. In September of last year I stepped out in faith and quit my job to start my own business. My job was causing me so much stress and I was trusting God that he would help my business be successful. Things did not turn out like I was expecting and I am deep in debt and my house is facing foreclosure.

My stepping out has cost me a lot. I am starting to feel like a failure and I hate myself for what happened. I am not mad at God but I am truly mad at myself. I am feeling like I have made so many mistakes and caused alot of what is happening to me now.

I also feel ashamed because I told other people that I stepped out in faith and believed that I was making the right decision. My going back to a job makes me feel like I failed.

I feel so much pain and I can't even think straight and I feel lost. I am in so much despair that all I do is cry and can't find the right words to pray. I am not sure what to do. I am not sure if the business was the right business for me or if I should continue to pursue it. I am just confused. Please pray for me.

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Dear sister I'm sorry to hear how the lie got you by the nose and took all your possessions.

Now Satsn is trying to get into you through depression, where the lies that you feel and think in your head are taking a predominant place in your heart and mind as you let go of the truth more and more and sink lower and lower. This latest attack you are experiencing is directed to bring you down into the pit where he can torture you until you die. (its called the fowler's net!)

Please ask Jesus to forgive you for having faith in what turned out not to be the truth!

It is best to say sorry to our Lord about that firstly. Faith in Jesus brings God's good alive inside of us - Satan however steals our good life and brings us his bad life instead - misery, despair and hopeless are the doomed realities of his kingdom - as you are finding out!

However this doesn't mean that things will stay bad. Don't let go of your faith in Jesus, rather ask Him to increase it. Honestly true He will yet bless you with showers of goodness, if you persist.

Understand that faith in Jesus often turns out to be a thief in the night - Jesus Himself warns about that in Matt 24 -(Zechariah 5 explains it very nicely) - this is not because your faith is wrong but because it is directed wrongly - a worldly mind and worldly work carries a 6 and therefore brings destruction to wrong controlling us within rather than blessings. In our spiritual battle for the faith we can see that what is to perish in us - that thinks and feels like that - as Revelation 13 explains. That is why you are depressed (Rev 12) For you gave birth to God's own in faith and now Satan is trying to snatch that faith from you as you pine away in the desert with your 'child' far away in Heaven. (however know that in faith the desert will bloom)

I have made the same mistake as you - 3 times I ended-up with a 6 - before I understood that faith in Jesus is following the Living Word in my heart and not those bright ideas which God has to bless - before I could feel good about all that. I realised that in effect what I had done was harness Jesus in front of my cart and demand that he would bring me success for my ego and not God's glory.

However having lost everything freed me up to find my faith in Jesus back on top of it all instead of on the bottom. Where after 7 years of deepest depression 18 months of those suicidal - I finally met Jesus right within myself (Rev 1) and began to understand why I had fallen so low, though I had had so much faith in God. For I had denied the Son of God the right to rule me and let Satan's lies rule me instead.

Like Job I repented in sackcloth and ashes.

The last 4 years have brought me much healing and a restoration of what I lost - though my loss was spiritual rather than physical as yours, I have received manifold times what I lost to start of with, so be of good courage as you endure and let your heart continue to give God the glory for His love and for His goodness - even if you are denied for some time to feel that.


Ask Jesus to tell you what went wrong - find His answer in the Bible - just open The Bible randomly and read what ever draws your eye. Intently watching how you respond to what you're told as you read the ancient Words of God. Jesus will show you a world you couldn't even have dreamt existed though that is where all your good life has come from. This is how we learn to follow the true and right Way, which doesn't bring disappointments but peaceful loving life with Him as King over all.

I hope you will let go of what is dragging you down - honest it is useless - otherwise it wouldn't be where it is now. Rather find a renewed life with Jesus - learn to heed the Living Word inside and let Him expose those thieves and liars hiding inside your heart and mind stealing your good life and hurting you so.

Honestly true you will be ecstatic of Joy when they darkness leaves your heart and mind and Heavenly wealth comes and greets your daily poverty - streets of gold - and gates of diamonds and costly stones - and where everything is for free and does not have to be worked for - eternal bliss! Hallelujah!

So please dear sister - don't let go of your faith - but keep working with it until you get good returns!

Hi, I feel your pain. Although I'm not losing my house (b/c I don't have one...or a condo...or my own apt but, I digress), I feel your pain. You left your job...I left grad school. Both of us stepped out on Faith and kind of crashed and burned. I've come to the conclusion that we can't "hope" for God to work in our lives. We HAVE to make things happen. I've been praying for 3yrs for God to change my situation/open a door . Guess what? No luck. So, I've come to the conclusion that we pur ourselves in the situation and we have to get ourself out of the situation. For me, when I look back, I didn't think through my decision--It wasn't financially, a good decision, and I should have stayed put...despite the fact that I wasn't happy. Leaving and "wishing" for God to take over was foolish...and I'll never do that again So, I say all of this to let you know, YOU'RE NOT A FAILURE!!! The avenue you chose failed, but you're not a failure. Learn from the situation so it'll never happen again. Good days are ahead! Go through whatever open door is presented in your life. If you have to go back to your job, it's ok. You're pride may not want you to go back but after the 1st day back, you'll be ok. Best wishes!

Prayers and hugs.

My mom always told me God does everything for a reason. We can never understand what he wants for all of us. All we can do is trust Him and put our faith in Him.

A few thoughts on faith that might help in making future decisions:

Heb 11:1
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
KJV

The Bible makes it clear that faith is solid--substance is solid--and faith is based on actual evidence, or proof. So, when we are talking about genuine faith, it is the opposite of 'wish'. It is real; it is tangible. It, by its very nature, brings forth results.

The question then becomes, how do we get this kind of faith?

The Bible says:

Rom 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
KJV

In the above scripture, word in the Greek is rhema. Rhema is God's utterance, i.e., spoken word (the written word is logos in Greek.)

When seeking God's specific will for our individual lives, it is important to seek Him until He has revealed His will to us in our particular circumstance. Until we have ascertained His will, we are in danger of operating in presumption rather than in faith.

When we operate in genuine faith, even if we encounter great obstacles, we are within the framework of God's will. If we have acted on presumption, we are subject to reap what we have sown. All is not lost, even if we make a mistake and act in presumption, since our Father is a God of great mercy, and He has promised to work all things ultimately together for good.

We may have to humble ourselves and return to our Father with great humility, but He will help us work everything out as we trust in Him.

Rom 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
KJV

Blessings,

tfg