Could you pray for me?

[Divinus]

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering whether someone could pray for me. I've not been on the forum for ages, because I've been having serious real-world troubles.

I've been diagnosed with clinical depression, and sent to a psychiatrist who's now started talking about "mood disorders" in a vague way. They've had me on all sorts of drugs which haven't worked.

Its affected everything I do. I'm failing my degree, and I can't seem to get thoughts of suicide out of my head.

I've also had a recurrance of a problem I had a couple of years ago, namely self-injury, which this psychiatrist says is linked to depression. Thats been getting worse and worse, and I'm now covered in scars from it.  

To add to everything else, I've been having a crisis of faith. Its like my faith is a branch in a river, and its floating away, and I can't seem to catch it. I don't know what I believe anymore, and I can't feel God's presence anymore. This has happened before, and it seems to be connected to depression again. I wonder whether I can ever call myself a Christian, as my belief changes with my mental health.

I'd really appreciate your prayers for me about all this.

 

[psycmajor]

Sorry the drugs you've tried haven't worked...but keep looking for one or more that does.

I hear you about depression. I have it, too. Bipolar, though.

Not too long ago, I was wondering, "What am I doing in college? I'm working SO hard...for what? What is the point of all this?" Friends have told me that they experienced the same thing. I almost have my undergraduate degree, just a little longer... I just try to keep envisioning it in my hand. If you really need to, take a little break from school to relieve yourself of stress until you get through this, or at least learn to cope.

I think I've read that self-injury is a way to punish oneself. Also, it serves as a distraction from psychological pain. Of course, you're still hurting yourself, but only in a different fashion. I'd encourage you to have someone take away all things that you might use to hurt yourself and hide them. Have them also keep you in check to make sure you're not hurting yourself. If you're thinking of hurting yourself, go talk to someone.

As far as faith goes, remember that God understands your weaknesses.
----
Psalm 139:2-10
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.
----
I strongly believe that God knows you are depressed, and is aware that it is affecting your perception of your faith. It is not necessarily a lack of faith that's the issue; it could also be mental illness that's clouding your vision of God. I think Satan is using it to impose guilt upon you, so that you will eventually abandon God in your hopelessness. But God is the one that can alleviate your hopelessness. Be willing to let God help you through this. He's there, even if it doesn't seem that way. Let this trial strengthen you, not weaken you.
----
Isaiah 40:27-31
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the Lord, And my just claim is passed over by my God"? 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
----
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
----
Not to minimize how you're feeling, but also don't forget that God feels pain, too. After all, we were made in His image.

Pray and read your Bible often. It will give you insight and hope. And, of course, read especially the book of Job and also the Psalms.

 

 

[nomad]

Deuteronomy 31:5 Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you.

Put it in your heart and hold tight to this.  God does not lie.  He will always be with you.

 

 

[CeCe]

Praying for you.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Have one of these:
*hug*
I'm clinically depressed too.

 

[Hopeful]

i'm praying for you

 

[kimmee]

im praying for you!

 

[AngelaHelene]

praying for you!

 

[Blynn]

I will pray too, Divinus. God bless you.

 

[dreamcatcher]

[pong]  [/pong]     



i am praying for you.

 

[pong] [/pong]

 

 

[Amy]

Hang on, sister. You may not feel God's presence right now, but He is there, right at your side, listening to every word of your prayers.

May God bless you and help you through this difficult time.

 

[forjesus]

Praying for you, Just stay focused on God.

 

[Yahweh Nissi]

Praying for you

 

[wvmtnkid]

's and 's!