Dealing with boredom

[paulamasu]

Hello all,

I am in late 20, close to 30. I have been a Christian for almost 10 years. I had (and am still having) some upside down but I am hanging on.

Here is my issue even before I was a Christian: I am bored to death. I wish I was dead. Believe me, I am not suicidal, but I can't wait for Jesus to take me. Before becoming a Christian, I had suicidal thoughts but after following Christ I enjoyed life for a moment. I used to believe that the older I will get, the better I will be (i.e: becoming less bored); I used to believe that if I had friends, a job, a husband, activities , I will not be bored anymore, but I know that this is not my solution. I have cried out to God, and I'm tired and bored of mentioning this issue. I have moments where I feel fine, and other moments I wish my life would end.

There are nights that I am so bored that I am crying, it's a big issue for me, bigger than getting married since I don't even see the point since I will get bored again. Please, I need advice and guidance. I had mentioned the issue to some church leaders across the world but they don't understand what I mean especially that I am energetic and bubly person and full of life.

To cope with my boredom, I tried exercising, reading spiritual books, meeting a therapist, studying (i am passionate about learning and studying, this is one thing that doesn't make me bored but I can't do that all the time), music (i love worship music and I only listen to Christian music and I wish I could worship my whole life without getting bored), watching TV shows (being entertained helps me to be less bored but I can't watch TV shows all the time, that's unhealthy), following the US elections (it was juicy for my mind), volunteering, meditating, praying ( again, I get bored while doing the last two and I feel God is bored of me as well).

I did dangerous things last year to help me cope with boredom, and I am lucky to still be Alive and not in jail. My brothers and sisters, please tell me what I should do? I don't want to rob a bank to feel less bored, at least for a moment. I don't want to sin to enjoy life, since that will lead me to death. I want to live a long and fruitful life (i don't want to die before 100 years old), but if it means I must be bored from now until then, I already feel sad for myself. I am full of hope, maybe that's why I am not suicidal, but sometimes I am consider doing drugs like cocaine.

Please, guide me. Thank you so much and may God bless you!

 

[Daryl Gleason]

Hello Paula, and grace and peace to you from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

May I ask if you feel that you have received the holy spirit? I ask because since he came to me years ago, I have never been bored for even one second of my life.

I also ask because if you have received the spirit, you will also have received some spiritual gift or gifts. Very little in this life brings more joy than exercising our spiritual gifts, doing the "good works that God prepared in advance for us to do". (Ephesians 2:10)

If you would like to read more about spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul discusses them at some length in 1 Corinthians 12 and a bit more in 1 Corinthians 14.

You may also ask God for wisdom on this or any other subject; it's a free promise given in James 1:5. When I did this just prior to responding to you, for example, he suggested that I ask you about spiritual gifts.

I hope this is helpful! Using our spiritual gifts is much better than any drug could ever be.

In Christ,
Daryl

 

[Poppyseed78]

I'm sorry you're struggling. I think the suggestion above about exploring your spiritual gifts would be helpful for you, along with continued prayer for guidance.

There is value in stability. Sometimes life just isn't exciting, but there is beauty in that; not everything has to be thrilling. Please don't engage in risky behavior just to experience a "high". In the end, you will end up just as bored, but with a new problem on your hands, like a drug addiction.

It sounds to me like you lack purpose. What are you passionate about? What kind of volunteering can you do? I encourage you to become more active in your church. What about joining your church's praise & worship team, since you enjoy Christian music? You can take each of your interests and extend them into new, enriching activities. Most of all though, it sounds like you might be in need of spiritual renewal. Praying and reading the Bible might help you find the fulfillment you seek.

 

[tdidymas]

Hello all,

I am in late 20, close to 30. I have been a Christian for almost 10 years. I had (and am still having) some upside down but I am hanging on.

Here is my issue even before I was a Christian: I am bored to death. I wish I was dead. Believe me, I am not suicidal, but I can't wait for Jesus to take me. Before becoming a Christian, I had suicidal thoughts but after following Christ I enjoyed life for a moment. I used to believe that the older I will get, the better I will be (i.e: becoming less bored); I used to believe that if I had friends, a job, a husband, activities , I will not be bored anymore, but I know that this is not my solution. I have cried out to God, and I'm tired and bored of mentioning this issue. I have moments where I feel fine, and other moments I wish my life would end.

There are nights that I am so bored that I am crying, it's a big issue for me, bigger than getting married since I don't even see the point since I will get bored again. Please, I need advice and guidance. I had mentioned the issue to some church leaders across the world but they don't understand what I mean especially that I am energetic and bubly person and full of life.

To cope with my boredom, I tried exercising, reading spiritual books, meeting a therapist, studying (i am passionate about learning and studying, this is one thing that doesn't make me bored but I can't do that all the time), music (i love worship music and I only listen to Christian music and I wish I could worship my whole life without getting bored), watching TV shows (being entertained helps me to be less bored but I can't watch TV shows all the time, that's unhealthy), following the US elections (it was juicy for my mind), volunteering, meditating, praying ( again, I get bored while doing the last two and I feel God is bored of me as well).

I did dangerous things last year to help me cope with boredom, and I am lucky to still be Alive and not in jail. My brothers and sisters, please tell me what I should do? I don't want to rob a bank to feel less bored, at least for a moment. I don't want to sin to enjoy life, since that will lead me to death. I want to live a long and fruitful life (i don't want to die before 100 years old), but if it means I must be bored from now until then, I already feel sad for myself. I am full of hope, maybe that's why I am not suicidal, but sometimes I am consider doing drugs like cocaine.

Please, guide me. Thank you so much and may God bless you!

It appears to me by your conversation that you are bored because everything you do (including volunteer work) is done for yourself rather than for others. Please don't get offended by what I am saying, it is not meant to offend you, but to edify you in the faith. Jesus taught us our life should be about serving others. Even when we serve ourselves, it is ultimately a preparation to serve others. I have had the same experience in my life. I also minister to men in prison, and I can tell you that most of them are in prison because they committed crimes from being bored, and were bored because of conceit. I have seen prisoners go through rehabilitation programs, church services, learn Christian language, etc. but after they get out, they do something wrong and go right back to prison, because they did all those things only for themselves, and didn't learn to serve others.

It is a change of life purpose. I suggest that you find out what your spiritual gift is, the one (or two) that makes you derive your energy from God, and then find out how to express that in service to others. It will be a challenge initially, but after you begin this discipline, you'll be much happier and your boredom will go up in smoke.

You said "i am passionate about learning and studying, this is one thing that doesn't make me bored but I can't do that all the time" - if you are passionate about learning, then you are probably a teacher. Your studies should be in preparation to teach others, and thus to build them up.
TD

 

[paulamasu]

Hello Paula, and grace and peace to you from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

May I ask if you feel that you have received the holy spirit? I ask because since he came to me years ago, I have never been bored for even one second of my life.

I also ask because if you have received the spirit, you will also have received some spiritual gift or gifts. Very little in this life brings more joy than exercising our spiritual gifts, doing the "good works that God prepared in advance for us to do". (Ephesians 2:10)

If you would like to read more about spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul discusses them at some length in 1 Corinthians 12 and a bit more in 1 Corinthians 14.

You may also ask God for wisdom on this or any other subject; it's a free promise given in James 1:5. When I did this just prior to responding to you, for example, he suggested that I ask you about spiritual gifts.

I hope this is helpful! Using our spiritual gifts is much better than any drug could ever be.

In Christ,
Daryl

This was extremely helpful and inspiring. I will indeed read more about spiritual gifts. I did that at the beginning where I was very involved at my first church. I will put that in prayer especially where to exercise my gifts. May God bless you abundantly!

 

[paulamasu]

It appears to me by your conversation that you are bored because everything you do (including volunteer work) is done for yourself rather than for others. Please don't get offended by what I am saying, it is not meant to offend you, but to edify you in the faith. Jesus taught us our life should be about serving others. Even when we serve ourselves, it is ultimately a preparation to serve others. I have had the same experience in my life. I also minister to men in prison, and I can tell you that most of them are in prison because they committed crimes from being bored, and were bored because of conceit. I have seen prisoners go through rehabilitation programs, church services, learn Christian language, etc. but after they get out, they do something wrong and go right back to prison, because they did all those things only for themselves, and didn't learn to serve others.

It is a change of life purpose. I suggest that you find out what your spiritual gift is, the one (or two) that makes you derive your energy from God, and then find out how to express that in service to others. It will be a challenge initially, but after you begin this discipline, you'll be much happier and your boredom will go up in smoke.

You said "i am passionate about learning and studying, this is one thing that doesn't make me bored but I can't do that all the time" - if you are passionate about learning, then you are probably a teacher. Your studies should be in preparation to teach others, and thus to build them up.
TD

Spot on! Thank you very much. It's better than meeting a therapist. I will meditate more about what you said, and pray and act about it. I have been self centered recently because I have invested more in people than they did in me, so I felt the need to help myself first as nobody helps me. I don't considered myself as being self-centered but I'm just fed up helping needy people who expect to receive without giving.

In the long run, I do intend to teach. For now, I'm just preparing myself and I learn as much as I can for that.

Thank you very much for your advice and may God bless you!

 

[paulamasu]

I'm sorry you're struggling. I think the suggestion above about exploring your spiritual gifts would be helpful for you, along with continued prayer for guidance.

There is value in stability. Sometimes life just isn't exciting, but there is beauty in that; not everything has to be thrilling. Please don't engage in risky behavior just to experience a "high". In the end, you will end up just as bored, but with a new problem on your hands, like a drug addiction.

It sounds to me like you lack purpose. What are you passionate about? What kind of volunteering can you do? I encourage you to become more active in your church. What about joining your church's praise & worship team, since you enjoy Christian music? You can take each of your interests and extend them into new, enriching activities. Most of all though, it sounds like you might be in need of spiritual renewal. Praying and reading the Bible might help you find the fulfillment you seek.

Thank you very much. And yes I am lacking a purpose. I am one of these Christians who believe I have a calling in life, I just wished I knew it faster. And yes I wish spiritual renewal: I have been moving around a lot and it was heard to get connected in a church. I want to serve, but I don't know where, but I'll pray about it. Thank you very much and may God bless you!

 

[Leon Russell]

Same with me

 

[Greg J.]

God reveals himself to those who obey him, which relieves boredom quite well. Be more strictly obedient. Be more focused on Jesus and more devoted to him. If you can't DO more, then try to involve Jesus in what you are already doing. Talk to him throughout the day. Try to interact with people with more humility, kindness, and graciousness.

If you're like me, there's all kinds of things you know would be good to do, but can't get yourself to do them. It is going to be more and more important to have confidence that you are in God's will with everything you do as the years pass. That comes over time from being devoted and obedient to the Lord. Trying to identify what you consistently enjoy doing is often a good long-term aid for most people. (It doesn't have to be something that earns money. It need only not be sinful and not harm yourself or others.)

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31, 1984 NIV)

The very short, classic book, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence is about that.