Starting to think believing in God is a waste of time

Creativeguy said:

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I'm really questioning why I even believe(d) in God. It hasn't enhanced my life in any way, shape or form.

Sorry to be negative, but I just needed to get this off my chest as this is something that's been festering inside me for a long time.

Click to expand...

Hello,
I wrote this for you, here, but decided to post it as a Thread, as maybe it might be of good service for anyone here on the forum who might find some comfort value within it..
-
-
-
Food for tomorrows

Friend know all to well depression struggled with suicide a long time before accepting Christ though the suicide has no weight anymore the depression will occasionally rear its ugly head just did yesterday and bad

Only advice i know i can give besides the obvious faith in Christ speaking from human perspective just press on

It will get you in dumps but you as a soilder of Christ must stand back up when you fall down for the battle is not over until the vessel God gave you dies for take comfort in we are not this body rather we are a spirit and this body is just the means of transportation in this world

Stand up soilder and push on in Christs name!

Creativeguy said:

Thank you for the replies everyone. I have no problems understand that life will be tough sometimes - I have no qualms about going through trials and struggles like everyone one. I think the fundamental issue is that Ive struggled with severe depression for years. Despite prayers, despite doctors visits, the depression might go away for awhile, but it eventually creeps back up.

I don't know what to do, but am trying to find some way to learn to live with it.

Click to expand...

Creativeguy said:

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I'm really questioning why I even believe(d) in God. It hasn't enhanced my life in any way, shape or form.

Sorry to be negative, but I just needed to get this off my chest as this is something that's been festering inside me for a long time.

Click to expand...

Were you raised a Christian?

Creativeguy said:

Thank you for the replies everyone. I have no problems understand that life will be tough sometimes - I have no qualms about going through trials and struggles like everyone one. I think the fundamental issue is that Ive struggled with severe depression for years. Despite prayers, despite doctors visits, the depression might go away for awhile, but it eventually creeps back up.

I don't know what to do, but am trying to find some way to learn to live with it.

Click to expand...

I pray that the attached book will be helpful to you.

Creativeguy said:

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I'm really questioning why I even believe(d) in God. It hasn't enhanced my life in any way, shape or form.

Sorry to be negative, but I just needed to get this off my chest as this is something that's been festering inside me for a long time.

Click to expand...

Sounds like you have not known Christ Jesus.

Creativeguy said:

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I'm really questioning why I even believe(d) in God. It hasn't enhanced my life in any way, shape or form.

Sorry to be negative, but I just needed to get this off my chest as this is something that's been festering inside me for a long time.

Click to expand...

It is the hope for eternal life. We as Christians find great peace and joy in this life in the knowledge that through our faith we are saved. We no longer conform to the basic patterns of this earthly life...those things which appeal to the flesh are not are goal. If you are looking for satisfaction derived by this world rather than spiritual blessings your faith will be frustrated. But maybe this is not what you are referring to. Perhaps rather you believe that your faith has not led to spiritual growth and godliness?
In this world, Jesus says, we will have trouble and He goes on to say, but take heart, for I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 paraphrased). Given this knowledge know that you as a Christian will go through hardships, but you are not alone. It is as one preacher states it: Until you understand that this life is war, you cannot know what prayer is for!
Don't give up on your faith...you are at a low point now it seems...buttress and fortify what faith in you remains through prayer for help, spiritual growth and Scripture. As Paul writes in Ephesians...find out what the Lord's will is.
Praying for you.

Jesus , God and the holy spirit is NEVER a waste of time

Creativeguy said:

Thank you for the replies everyone. I have no problems understand that life will be tough sometimes - I have no qualms about going through trials and struggles like everyone one. I think the fundamental issue is that Ive struggled with severe depression for years. Despite prayers, despite doctors visits, the depression might go away for awhile, but it eventually creeps back up.

I don't know what to do, but am trying to find some way to learn to live with it.

Click to expand...

I just posted and then noticed this post. I see what a hardship you are going through. King David also went through severe depression as well as Job. Try to emulate them. Confession where needed and a cry for a right spirit...actually I believe a prayer for a right spirit says it all.

Since you mention depression not being "healed" by God (more or less), I'd say the bible never said our problems in life go away because we are saved. Prayers are a hard topic because we tend to see unanswered ones as "Does He not care?" or "Maybe He's not real since I am not healed!". Sometimes the answer to a prayer is yes, sometimes its no. And sometimes its "not yet". He could be waiting for us to change something. Or for a future change that is supposed to happen outside of us.

I've prayed forever about many things and some never get answered. I still pray none the less. In this case you may always have depression. Not because He doesn't want to heal you but because maybe there's a reason for it. After my seizures and brain injury I hated God. But years later I realized what happened to me made me more understanding of those in my situation. I found I could help people better.

So through my health issues, God had a plan. And even though I still have other health issues. I accept some may never be healed and thats alright with me.

Creativeguy said:

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I'm really questioning why I even believe(d) in God. It hasn't enhanced my life in any way, shape or form.

Sorry to be negative, but I just needed to get this off my chest as this is something that's been festering inside me for a long time.

Click to expand...

My life was forever changed when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I had a peace, and love like I had never known before.

I had accepted Christ via a tract called, "This Was Your Life."


Chick.com: This Was Your Life

Maybe it will help you in your situation.

Creativeguy said:

Thank you for the replies everyone. I have no problems understand that life will be tough sometimes - I have no qualms about going through trials and struggles like everyone one. I think the fundamental issue is that Ive struggled with severe depression for years. Despite prayers, despite doctors visits, the depression might go away for awhile, but it eventually creeps back up.

I don't know what to do, but am trying to find some way to learn to live with it.

Click to expand...

Going to pray for you. Depression must be hard, can't pretend that I could understand it, but a long time ago before became a Christian sometimes I went into a state that feels the whole world is meaningless, a deep trash state that is not fear but something I can't describe. When that happens the only way to reduce it was watching something very boring but routing, or get myself scared (year even fear is better than that).

Fast forward, after years of battle and arguing my Christian friends with evolution, Buddhism, I became one. This is after a lot of research on science, history, Buddhism and later Islam. Strange enough, the verses (NT ones, used to like reading OT more since they feel like stories) makes sense, and they do feel like food. Try put your faith in God alone, and when you are depressed, read the Bible. We have been corrupted, and our DNA is getting worse and worse, and it is easier and easier for Satan to control us, but the word of God will help us, and will triumph over the prince of this world.

Creativeguy said:

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I'm really questioning why I even believe(d) in God. It hasn't enhanced my life in any way, shape or form.

Sorry to be negative, but I just needed to get this off my chest as this is something that's been festering inside me for a long time.

Click to expand...

I guess I wasn't aware that being a Christian, or following G-d, was specifically to enhance my life.

The primary reason you follow the Lord... is because he's Lord. In fact, the Bible says over and over, you will have troubles in this life.

John 16 says "you will have troubles". It didn't say, follow me, and your beach house and super model wife awaits!

This is the nature of this world.

So if someone told you, follow Jesus, and everything good will happen in your life... they lied to you. And there are some Christians that say such nonsense. But that isn't the Christian doctrine in the Bible. Those Coptic Christians in Libya, that had their heads cut off by ISIS, were truly living out their faith.

So why do we follow the Lord Jesus? Because yeah, this world sucks, but there is something after this world, that will last forever. And I don't know about you, but when I read about the left after this.... Hell sounds really crappy, and Heaven sounds pretty awesome. I think.... I'm picking the better of the two for my eternal home.

So, you need to figure out what is important to you. Short term happiness here on this garbage screwed up planet? Or eternity?

My vote? Eternity.

Creativeguy said:

Thank you for the replies everyone. I have no problems understand that life will be tough sometimes - I have no qualms about going through trials and struggles like everyone one. I think the fundamental issue is that Ive struggled with severe depression for years. Despite prayers, despite doctors visits, the depression might go away for awhile, but it eventually creeps back up.

I don't know what to do, but am trying to find some way to learn to live with it.

Click to expand...

Hey Creative,
Ironic that I happened across your post... I hopped on Christian forums because I felt discouraged today with my circumstances and skeptical of holding out hope for things to improve any time soon... which is yeah .. discouraging (used to call it depressed but that doesn't really pin down "why" I'm depressed and the reasons might change for the "why").

Anyhow, just a thought for reflection regarding your original post and then this follow up one: maybe its not God that you are disappointed with. Maybe its just what you expected out of life so far has been disappointing: From yourself, from church, from others from circumstances or opportunities. Maybe you are bored with life as you have lived it so far? And yeah, the world will certainly disappoint. The Christians and non Christians alike will disappoint big time... we even have a way of letting ourselves down regularly.

The only thing so far that has helped me when I get depressed, is properly evaluating my moods - identifying why I am feeling this way. What triggered it? Am I being honest or is there something else I am telling myself without really recognizing it? Evaluating your own negative thought process is difficult by yourself. Its like trying to help yourself get out of your own pit... its near to impossible. So, I got this book that came well recommended to me: "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" by David D. Burns, M.D. (yeah another book ... but this one surprised me... so before you all reading this roll your eyes... consider giving it a try... ;-) You can find it used on the internet by searching for the title. They may even have it at your local library if you want to skim the pages first before you buy, but I recommend getting your own used copy to write in eventually. I like to highlight what was helpful.

Anyhow, my take on the little yellow book: His charts and tests in the book I just pass on... (I'm not that type of person to need that stuff as its too analytical for me and I won't remember it- maybe that stuff works well for others) but the examples he gives to challenge negative thought processes- those are very interesting to me and I can relate to many of them. He gives labels to the types of negative thoughts we might not even be aware that we are doing to ourselves and provides examples and then ways out of thinking like that and how to counter those thoughts with new thoughts (all with examples of real life therapy sessions). You may even be surprised to find out what distorted thinking you may have been telling yourself to believe for years that has contributed to your negative mood that you didn't even realize. And truth is... everyone has struggled with this at some point... some of us just have a more difficult time climbing out of the pit.

I bought this book when I found myself at a very low moment and needing any sign that their was still hope for me as I had reached a new "low" of misery. This guy's book has helped...but understand, its not a cure... its a way to help you cope and get back up and find out how to enjoy life in a healthier emotional way.

You can start with any chapter you wish... you can skip around, start over, focus on what you like... you are in control. The Dr. who wrote the book has a way of working in his own honesty with a dose of humor and candidness that I really appreciated. I like that he put himself out there and was "real" with his audience. Its like having a life coach help me learn to "take my thoughts captive" and challenge them for validity and truth while learning how to find a sense of humor in the difficult things of life and the courage to keep living and keep trying.

Hang in there... and take a look at the life of Elijah the prophet in the bible (he struggled with depression too...)

Creativeguy said:

Thank you for the replies everyone. I have no problems understand that life will be tough sometimes - I have no qualms about going through trials and struggles like everyone one. I think the fundamental issue is that Ive struggled with severe depression for years. Despite prayers, despite doctors visits, the depression might go away for awhile, but it eventually creeps back up.

I don't know what to do, but am trying to find some way to learn to live with it.

Click to expand...

One day, it will all be over. Until that day, live your purpose. Every Christian has one, do the good works that God has prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10) - don't miss them. Be a good and faithful servant (Matthew 7:22-23).

Creativeguy said:

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I'm really questioning why I even believe(d) in God. It hasn't enhanced my life in any way, shape or form.

Sorry to be negative, but I just needed to get this off my chest as this is something that's been festering inside me for a long time.

Click to expand...

Have you tried really living for God, all out? To do what Jesus tells us to do? Maybe you will get the answer this way.

Creativeguy said:

I never in a million years thought I would say this, but I'm really questioning why I even believe(d) in God. It hasn't enhanced my life in any way, shape or form.

Sorry to be negative, but I just needed to get this off my chest as this is something that's been festering inside me for a long time.

Click to expand...

Life is bad for alot of people. You need to find practical advice from christians and also non christians (the latter in some cases) to make your life easier. When i'm talking about practical advice i'm talking about things like what type of laundry detergent to use and what laws to get changed by your local state legislator. You sound like someone who struggles with finances. Simply saving money and investing money isn't the most comprehensive practical advice. The church of Smyrna (Revelation chapter 2) is sometimes translated as a crushed flower because when that flower was crushed it produced a fragrance. As you are well aware of "the first will be last and the last will be first". It seems to me you are stuck between 2 bad choices and i hope you just continue in the fight for the cause of Jesus Christ. Keep reading your Bible. Why is fighting for Jesus among 2 bad choices because people who have fought battles know that fighting is painful and pain feels bad. That is some practical advice.