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Hi,

I am brand new here, and this is difficult for me, as I am generally a private person, but I thought that someone here may have an answer for me. This is my history, I was saved as a child, I don't remember when, but I do know that I was saved when I was young. I have always known that God has taken care of me. Despite that, I never lived a Christian life. 3 months ago, I recommitted my life to Christ after much sin and much sorrow because of my sinful life. I had turned to God many many times in my life, but never really turned from my sinful ways. In October of 2012, I finally repented, and truly meant it in my heart. Since that day, I have been striving to seek God, study His Word daily and truly put Him first in my life, for the first time in my life. I also, have stopped committing the sin that I was in bondage to. My question is, and I hope that I express this correctly, why do I still feel full of sorrow if I have turned to God and fully repented? Could it have to do with Godly sorrow as in 2 Corinthians 7:10? I feel as though God is working in me sometimes, but mostly I feel much sorrow. I try to keep praising Him and I spend time in the Word daily. I am hopeful that soon I will have the coming joy that morning brings, but at the same time I feel as though Satan is trying to instill doubts that God just isn't there for me anymore because I messed up too many times and for too long. Any thoughts???? Thank you!!!
 

FutureAndAHope

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Hi,

It is great to hear that you have recommitted your life to God. I am not sure what the feelings of sorrow are. The bible says God "rejoices", when a sinner repents. God is surely rejoicing over you. All I can suggest is that you spend time in prayer. When ever I feel down or get negative feelings I pray until it lifts off me. The bible says "the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective".
 
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saved24

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Hello my new friend, I came across you post because I sometimes come to this section because I have a friend who suffers from depression at times.

I do not have all the answers, but I do want to say you are doing what is right. You are praising the Lord and staying in His Word. This is wonderful! I am so sorry that you still feel sorrow. I pray the Lord will fill you with His joy. The verse that helps me is from Nehemiah 8:10, actually the 2nd part of the verse: for the joy of the LORD is your strength. And I will say "the joy of the Lord is my strength", I will say it over and over again. We may not always feel joy, but there is power in saying His Word.

I wonder also, have you forgiven yourself? I have struggled with that myself. I had to forgive myself for the wrong and know in my heart beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord forgives me too, and does not condemn me. (Romans 8:1) The Lord forgives and forgets our sins and He is so happy that you have come back to Him. Remember the little lost sheep? and the prodigal son of Luke 15? What rejoicing when the lamb was found and the prodigal son returned home. What a love the Father has for us even though we have hurt Him with our sin.

He is loving and forgiving....... and yes satan loves to throw our sins back at our face, but the Lord lovingly holds us and says I know you my child, I love you and no nothing can separate you from my love. Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praying for you. God bless.
 
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ByGraceOnly

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Just take God at His word that He has separated your sins "as far as the east is from the west." And since He cannot lie, know that you're gold now. Just concentrating on that will help you to love and appreciate the Lord more. Considering that He hates sin much more than we do, yet is willing to forgive it and allow us to be filled with His Spirit and enter His kingdom in the next world is an endlessly wonderful and amazing thing. Keep reminding yourself of these truths and it'll help you feel the joy of your salvation.
 
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DMinSoCa

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Hello my new friend, I came across you post because I sometimes come to this section because I have a friend who suffers from depression at times.

I do not have all the answers, but I do want to say you are doing what is right. You are praising the Lord and staying in His Word. This is wonderful! I am so sorry that you still feel sorrow. I pray the Lord will fill you with His joy. The verse that helps me is from Nehemiah 8:10, actually the 2nd part of the verse: for the joy of the LORD is your strength. And I will say "the joy of the Lord is my strength", I will say it over and over again. We may not always feel joy, but there is power in saying His Word.

I wonder also, have you forgiven yourself? I have struggled with that myself. I had to forgive myself for the wrong and know in my heart beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord forgives me too, and does not condemn me. (Romans 8:1) The Lord forgives and forgets our sins and He is so happy that you have come back to Him. Remember the little lost sheep? and the prodigal son of Luke 15? What rejoicing when the lamb was found and the prodigal son returned home. What a love the Father has for us even though we have hurt Him with our sin.

He is loving and forgiving....... and yes satan loves to throw our sins back at our face, but the Lord lovingly holds us and says I know you my child, I love you and no nothing can separate you from my love. Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Praying for you. God bless.


Thank you my new friend! Yes, I struggle to forgive myself. When I think about it, I replay all the sins I have committed and I feel horrible. Then i remember that Jesus DIED for ME. Its never ending. This feels like more of a constant sorrow. I feel almost that God is showing me how much I grieved Him, but then even that thought feels like Who am I that God would care to even show me how much He has grieved over me? I feel like that is what this is though and if I knew it was for His glory I would endure it forever it is is His will. That is true, I just feel confused.
 
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saved24

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Hi again. You know, you replaying your sins reminds me of when I was replaying my hurt over and over again and my part in it, ya and my part in it... if only I had done this, or that or...... It was like reliving it and I would cry and cry and cry. I was on the verge of depression and I could not sleep at nights. I wanted the Lord to take me home. Some of what helped me was listening to God's Word on tape constantly and singing songs of praise.

I believe one day the Lord will give you your joy back. God bless.
 
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DMinSoCa

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Hi again. You know, you replaying your sins reminds me of when I was replaying my hurt over and over again and my part in it, ya and my part in it... if only I had done this, or that or...... It was like reliving it and I would cry and cry and cry. I was on the verge of depression and I could not sleep at nights. I wanted the Lord to take me home. Some of what helped me was listening to God's Word on tape constantly and singing songs of praise.

I believe one day the Lord will give you your joy back. God bless.

Thank you! I spend every day all day seeking Him. It's all I think about.
 
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singpeace

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Periods or bouts of sadness and depression can affect the life of even the most devout Christian. Job wished he had never been born (Job 3:11). David prayed to be taken away to a place where he would not have to deal with reality (Psalm 55:6-8). Elijah, even after defeating 450 prophets of Baal with fire called down from heaven (1 Kings 18:16-46), fled into the desert and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:3-5).

These same people overcame their bouts of depression. Job said that, if we pray and remember our blessings, God will restore us to joy and righteousness (Job 33:26). David wrote that the study of God's Word can bring us joy (Psalm 19:8), and that he needed to praise God even in the midst of despair (Psalm 42:5). In Elijah's case, God let him rest for a time and then sent a man, Elisha, to help him (1 Kings 19:19-21).

It can be helpful to share our feelings with a trusted fellow Christian. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Remain in Christ, immerse yourself in His Word, and seek to know Him more intimately, and your “joy will be full” (John 15:1-11).

Rest in the Lord's arms (Matthew 11:28-30) and seek His face through prayer and Scripture. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Finally, I recommend reading "Experience Outrageous Joy" by Charles Swindoll.

Your joy will come. Be patient and expect it. NEVER doubt God's love for you. You belong to him regardless of your past, present, and future shortcomings!
 
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Jeshu

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Depression is difficult to overcome even when you have been saved. You might even have to contemplate medications for some time to help you restore balance in your life again.

If you don't feel any joy then perhaps you are still feeling guilty and ashamed about your sin, this means that your faith in God still has growing to do. For it is awesome to be forgiven, such knowledge fights depressive feelings like nothing else can.

love a lot it is God's power to save from depression:hug:
 
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RuthD

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You are forgiven of your sins for you have repented. You may feel joy in your heart for God loves you and you have been forgiven. You need not feel sorrow any longer. If you cannot stop replaying your sins and being sad you may need to see a doctor and talk about how you are feeling. God bless you.
 
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Jeshu

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Please pray for me. Just want one Christian friend. Just one

You are bound to find a Christian friend on this site, we are friendly no pressure kind of people.

:prayer:
 
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Jeshu

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Not trying to pressure anyone. Just need someone to talk to.

Yes I understand. You can pm me if you like, I don't know if I will be able to help you, put I will try. :wave:
 
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DMinSoCa

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Jeshu said:
Yes I understand. You can pm me if you like, I don't know if I will be able to help you, put I will try. :wave:

It's ok :) thank you. Just feeling like God has abandoned me. I've been trying so hard to get it right. I've repented and turned away from my sin, I've been spending time in the word every day and praying a lot. Not sure what else to do except God must not want me.
 
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