Being a Christian = depression?

[Galadriel]

I know it sounds odd, but I was thinking about this last night, and sometimes I really think just being a Christian makes me depressed sometimes. What I mean is that we Christians are different than the world, and as a result of what we know are kind of out of place in the world. Also I see all the evil people do, and how so much is meaningless, and how the greedy thrive, and how so many are lost, and it is depressing. Does anyone else feel this way?

 

[andreha]

Hi

We are called to be the light of the world. Sure, sometimes we go through tough times, feeling alone or isolated. But add a few of us together - that's a different story. As Christians, we need support from other Christians. We need some Christian friends and family to be together with. Then the load is much lighter to bear. Don't do it alone. Join a cell group - it makes a big difference. Such a group is the ideal place to form friendships and alliances. It's great to have some people to talk to and pray with that are of the same orientation. It's not good for a Christian to be alone - I know...

 

[Elijah2]

I know it sounds odd, but I was thinking about this last night, and sometimes I really think just being a Christian makes me depressed sometimes. What I mean is that we Christians are different than the world, and as a result of what we know are kind of out of place in the world. Also I see all the evil people do, and how so much is meaningless, and how the greedy thrive, and how so many are lost, and it is depressing. Does anyone else feel this way?

No mate, don't get depressed, but get frustrated at times.

 

[Dixiecup]

The entire world is broken, this is a fact clearly told in the book of Genesis. Christians suffer the pain of this life right along with non-Christians. The difference is we have the Holy Spirit guiding and counseling us along the way.

What depresses me is that many who call themselves Christians continue to roll around in their slop. The church is full of people with mental health/emotional issues. The world’s answers did not work for them, because they did not do the work required of them to heal. God does not work for them because they are not doing what is required of them by Him.

I can't count how many times I have been at the end of a "Christians" sword left hurt. When I call them on it, and I will call them on it, the excuse is always their hurting lives. Yet, I see them walking the halls of the church smiling like they are happy people, clearly they are not. I must wonder how many non-Christians are hurt by these "Christians", as I know I'm not alone in receiving their wrath.

Sometimes compassion, love and mercy are displayed in the form of coddling. Frankly, I think we should show more tough love, compassion and mercy to those who are bringing the church down, and pray a prayer of protection over them and the church. We must hold those who continue to roll in their slop accountable. It is irresponsible for the church not to do this. Church is not a social club, or a place for others to take out their hurts on each other. Church is the gathering of God's people. We are there to make each other stronger in our faith, and to feel good about our choice to answer the calling of the Holy Spirit. We worship God and are very grateful for Jesus and the cross.

As a Christian you are not required to take on the world, that was done. You are required to have faith, use your gifts and pray. Guard your heart.

Depression is a direct attack by the oppressor. Do not accept it as part of being a Christian. Lay the depression at the foot of the cross and move forward in your walk.

Read Philippians 4:4-9

 

[wonderwaleye]

I know it sounds odd, but I was thinking about this last night, and sometimes I really think just being a Christian makes me depressed sometimes. What I mean is that we Christians are different than the world, and as a result of what we know are kind of out of place in the world. Also I see all the evil people do, and how so much is meaningless, and how the greedy thrive, and how so many are lost, and it is depressing. Does anyone else feel this way?

A very part of being a CHRISTIAN is growing in WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING. These are gifts from GOD that need to be prayed for.
Plus there are some very IMPORTANT BOOKS that everyone needs to help grow in WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING. They are called the BOOKS of the Apocrypha. Read the BOOK of WISDOM, SIRACH, and PROVERBS. These BOOKS are not stories but very important BOOKS of instruction for CHRISTIANS.


[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Martin Luther placed the Apocrypha in an appendix to the Old Testament in his German Bible [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the modern Protestant Church is that the Bible used by that body is not the original KING JAMES VERSION BIBLE. That translation, which included the Apocrypha was completed in 1611. The Bibles published where for the use of the clergy and the Church members until late in the 19th Century.[/FONT]

Here at CF folks have many problems that are included in these Books. They need to know they are available for use in all of their families lives. Children really need to be taught these instructions.

Some KJV Bibles have them but most do not. Should your Bible not contain these BOOKS you can read these BOOKS on the Internet.

LOVE

steven

 

[freeport]

I know it sounds odd, but I was thinking about this last night, and sometimes I really think just being a Christian makes me depressed sometimes. What I mean is that we Christians are different than the world, and as a result of what we know are kind of out of place in the world. Also I see all the evil people do, and how so much is meaningless, and how the greedy thrive, and how so many are lost, and it is depressing. Does anyone else feel this way?

I have had difficult times, but there are a lot of Christians in the West of all sorts. While there is surely impurity I have not found impurity is either here nor there.

It is something to take as it comes along, and winnow it.

If other Christians are less pure then you are, you should count yourself blessed. Purity comes in many flavors: spicy, sweet, hot, cold.

Purity is a sensitivity to goodness, but also to badness: but in badness, you can look beyond that. I have found people who walk by grace in cities, rural, suburban areas.

You should then look for some purpose from God. I live in a small town in the "Bible belt". A lot of times I find greater Christians among the simple poor folk then many of those who are more "religious". Sometimes not!

Everything in the world is meaningless, but love is of Heaven and all meaning is found therein.

If you have adversities to overcome or adversaries (be they friend or enemy), you should rejoice, and not scorn the prodigal children. Without adversity there would be nothing to do.

There would be no plot for the story for you.

That said, be careful when judging others: just because they may come from things differently then you does not mean God refuses to love them just as God loves you. I find myself constantly learning from all sorts.

 

[Johnnz]

The Psalmist struggled with these issues at times too. But take away Christian hope and it becomes even more depressing.

John
NZ

 

[SilverFire]

Depression is a direct attack by the oppressor. Do not accept it as part of being a Christian. Lay the depression at the foot of the cross and move forward in your walk.

Read Philippians 4:4-9

There are fewer things more depressing than reading statements such as this, which try to define depression as evil. It's just a stone's throw from the "Disneyana" kind of Christian who thinks that any sort of discomfort is obviously from Satan, because we're the King's kids! Surely God wants the best for us and so any suffering is not part of his plan!

*shaking head* No, depression is not Satanic. No, depression is not always an attack from the evil one. No, there's nothing wrong with experiencing sorrow in its various forms.

The entire book of Lamentations is depressing. The entire book of Judges is depressing. We need to take those books right out, because reading them will cause us to be depressed, and that's not of God, right?

If we go along this route, you know what comes next. Certain movies, certain songs, and certain books we must not partake of, and then it becomes certain genres of films, books, music, and then for some, it becomes film, books, and music themselves.

I've seen it so many times.

I do understand what you are saying, about being a Christian can be depressing. We are aliens here below and alienated from so much around us. That's the harsh reality and sometimes we need to experience that in the full; not letting it master us, and not living as though we had no hope, but experiencing it.

There's a reason why a lot of doom metal bands have Christians in them, you know?

 

[Galadriel]

Thank you for your reply Silver Fire, you get what I was saying, and you said it very well.

 

[Elijah2]

I know it sounds odd, but I was thinking about this last night, and sometimes I really think just being a Christian makes me depressed sometimes. What I mean is that we Christians are different than the world, and as a result of what we know are kind of out of place in the world. Also I see all the evil people do, and how so much is meaningless, and how the greedy thrive, and how so many are lost, and it is depressing. Does anyone else feel this way?

Ah mate, I didn’t realise you wanted an explanation. I did say that I feel frustrated more so that being depressed.

Although depression and emotional instability are very much related to each other, but it comes about at different level by our faith and trust we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.

All Christians/believers are found at six different levels.

And somewhere in those level we also find that depression, despair and hopelessness is a common suffering in most Christians/believers who are being influenced by demons, from past practices and sin.

As a believer, and if we have cleansed our hands and purified our heart; resist Satan and his forces; submitted fully to our Lord Jesus Christ and draw near to HIM, then we find a level of frustration more so than depression.

When I appear to be lead into depression by the enemy, I tell him to get in Jesus’ Name.

Yes, we are different to the world, because we are unequally yoked with unbelievers.

We are here for a reason, and when we do that reason in HIS WILL then we shouldn’t fear, should we?

The only reason why there are so many lost Christians is because they are not set free from captivity, and many are held in bondage by their church.

Well there is a lot of evil around, and there is just as much within as there is without the Body of Christ.

We see it by the multitude of false teachers and prophets that are around today.

To overcome and conquer any form of depression, we need to keep our house filled, cleansed, and walking in obedience and discipline to HIM and HIS WORD.

 

[TexasBluebonnet]

I know it sounds odd, but I was thinking about this last night, and sometimes I really think just being a Christian makes me depressed sometimes. What I mean is that we Christians are different than the world, and as a result of what we know are kind of out of place in the world. Also I see all the evil people do, and how so much is meaningless, and how the greedy thrive, and how so many are lost, and it is depressing. Does anyone else feel this way?

I don't have any wisdom, or insight to add. All I can say is I've been there. I know what you're talking about because I've felt that before.

 

[wayfaring man]

I know it sounds odd, but I was thinking about this last night, and sometimes I really think just being a Christian makes me depressed sometimes. What I mean is that we Christians are different than the world, and as a result of what we know are kind of out of place in the world. Also I see all the evil people do, and how so much is meaningless, and how the greedy thrive, and how so many are lost, and it is depressing. Does anyone else feel this way?

Part of the problem in this thread seems to be over the word " depress " , which means not only to sadden , but to discourage . And it's more fitting to say , we sometimes are saddened as followers of Christ , than to say we are sometimes discouraged . Because sorrow is at times appropriate ; but to be discouraged ( unless discouraged from following wrong ) , is not .

Discouragement towards believing in Christ and heeding his Call is from the adversary . But feeling sorrow because of the way some things are is a part of being in Christ , and in this present world .

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds by Christ. <-----> 2nd Corinthians 1:3-5

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm

 

[Mr.Cheese]

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