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Feeling Confused and Alone

Melony Martin

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Background: I have schizophrenia, schizoid personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and a mild drinking problem. I also have a phobia, but don't get me started on that. It may sound crazy, but from where I've been in the past, I feel pretty lucky.

I've been an atheist for years, but I'm going to church Sunday. I don't how to feel or think, and I have no one to think or talk through things. I'm new. I can't PM, just so everyone knows.
 

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Hi Melony, first off, I see you're new here, so WELCOME TO CF .. :wave: I also see you are engaged to be married, so congratulations about that :)

I'm sorry to hear about all that you are going through, but glad (especially after hearing about everything), that you're able to have a positive attitude in the face of all of it.

As far as church goes, no reason to be stressed about that. Just be yourself and don't hesitate to ask questions or to tell them about anything you want to share with them.

And if you want to get more of an official feel for the church and/or Christianity, don't hesitate to talk to the pastors or deacons/elders (as people in such positions at church typically love fielding questions about their church and/or Christianity in general).

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of church/denomination will you be attending on Sunday?

Thanks!

Praying for you for about all of these things.

Yours in Christ,
David



"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, &
believe in your heart that God raised Him
from the dead, you will be saved"

Romans 10:9
 
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Melony Martin

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If you don't mind me asking, what kind of church/denomination will you be attending on Sunday?
I will be going to an Eastern Orthodox Church. I've been to churches before. I used to be Christian. Sigh I feel like I am a moth to Christianities metaphorical flames.
 
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archer75

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I will be going to an Eastern Orthodox Church. I've been to churches before. I used to be Christian. Sigh I feel like I am a moth to Christianities metaphorical flames.
I feel kind of the same way sometimes.

I've just started going to Orthodox services, too. It's had a wholesome effect on me. I hope you'll have a positive experience, too.
 
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Melony Martin

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I feel kind of the same way sometimes.

I've just started going to Orthodox services, too. It's had a wholesome effect on me. I hope you'll have a positive experience, too.
So do I. I just hope I'm not taking on more than I can chew.
 
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Solomons Porch

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So do I. I just hope I'm not taking on more than I can chew.
Welcome Melony.....hopefully you will find what you are looking for, and Im sure you will be just fine Sunday. I am a christian and Ive been thru many many things and without my Jesus I would be dead and gone. He has been my hope, my joy and the One who has never let me down. When I am alone and feel forgotten and nobody cares, He holds me and comforts me, a peace that I have no words to explain. He helps me fight ALL my battles (which can be many) . I pray you find Him and we are here if you need us and Im sure you offer the same. Im from the South so I talk kinda weird, like a country, thug, rock n roll kinda whatever chick.......But I keep it real....Blessings in Jesus name :handfist:
 
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Rescued One

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Welcome to CF, Melony!
Jesus has been the Good Shepherd who has helped me whenever I've been confused or afraid or so sad about the evil around us that I thought I wanted to die. The more time I spend with Him, the more I trust Him. May you have your needs met in such a wonderful way!
 
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archer75

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So do I. I just hope I'm not taking on more than I can chew.
You'll get plenty of advice from the Orthodox posters so I'll limit it to the following. You say you've had some struggles with mental health and maybe by "biting off more than you can chew" you mean you might start to feel overwhelmed or freaked out during the service. Well, if you have that concern, I suggest you go into it with an escape valve --just plan to step out if you need to and ask to speak to a priest sometime about it.

Or maybe that's not what you meant?
 
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Melony Martin

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You'll get plenty of advice from the Orthodox posters so I'll limit it to the following. You say you've had some struggles with mental health and maybe by "biting off more than you can chew" you mean you might start to feel overwhelmed or freaked out during the service. Well, if you have that concern, I suggest you go into it with an escape valve --just plan to step out if you need to and ask to speak to a priest sometime about it.

Or maybe that's not what you meant?
No, its not, really. It's more like I'm nihilist what on Earth am I going to church for. What if I'm wrong about going, and I've showed up for no reason. I might not be an embarrassment to others, but I would be to myself.
 
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archer75

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No, its not, really. It's more like I'm nihilist what on Earth am I going to church for. What if I'm wrong about going, and I've showed up for no reason. I might not be an embarrassment to others, but I would be to myself.
Oh, my advice about that is just not to worry. Evern if nothing in the world is true, the service will probably be beautiful. Go with the intent to better yourself -- experience a beautiful thing that people do and maybe more. Just be open to whatever. Go easy on yourself. That's my thought, anyway.
 
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Background: I have schizophrenia, schizoid personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and a mild drinking problem. I also have a phobia, but don't get me started on that. It may sound crazy, but from where I've been in the past, I feel pretty lucky.

I've been an atheist for years, but I'm going to church Sunday. I don't how to feel or think, and I have no one to think or talk through things. I'm new. I can't PM, just so everyone knows.

Hello Melony..

My advice is to read the Bible.. specifically the New Testament .. Going into a church can be a ht and miss type of thing.. If i where a seeker i would read the Bible before setting a foot inside a church..

May you be guided in the Way and may you be willing to follow...
 
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Melony Martin

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Hello Melony..

My advice is to read the Bible.. specifically the New Testament .. Going into a church can be a ht and miss type of thing.. If i where a seeker i would read the Bible before setting a foot inside a church..

May you be guided in the Way and may you be willing to follow...
That's really good advice, but I have read the Bible. I know what's in it. That's part of the confusion.:)
 
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Melony Martin

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Oh, my advice about that is just not to worry. Evern if nothing in the world is true, the service will probably be beautiful. Go with the intent to better yourself -- experience a beautiful thing that people do and maybe more. Just be open to whatever. Go easy on yourself. That's my thought, anyway.
That is a GREAT sentiment. I'll keep that one in mind.
 
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That's really good advice, but I have read the Bible. I know what's in it. That's part of the confusion.:)

Ok then the other thing i did when reading the Bible was to talk to God and ask Him to guide me in understanding it.... As a Christian i believe that Gods Holy Spirit causes seekers and Christians to understand what they need to understand, when they need to understand it...

If you have a question i would be happy to give an answer if i have one.. But note.. On this forum you will probably get 3 different answers from 3 different posters.. So in the end you will need to take their answers back to the Bible to check to see if they fit and you will need to take their answers back to God in Prayer and ask Him if the posters have told you the correct answer..
 
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Melony Martin

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Ok then the other thing i did when reading the Bible was to talk to God and ask Him to guide me in understanding it.... As a Christian i believe that Gods Holy Spirit causes seekers and Christians to understand what they need to understand, when they need to understand it...

If you have a question i would be happy to give an answer if i have one.. But note.. On this forum you will probably get 3 different answers from 3 different posters.. So in the end you will need to take their answers back to the Bible to check to see if they fit and you will need to take their answers back to God in Prayer and ask Him if the posters have told you the correct answer..
I believe if this desire in me to go to this church is true and supernatural, than it is due to the Holy Spirit. I am simply not ready to talk to God.
 
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No, its not, really. It's more like I'm nihilist what on Earth am I going to church for. What if I'm wrong about going, and I've showed up for no reason. I might not be an embarrassment to others, but I would be to myself.

Hi again, Melony. :)

I think you've been given good advice. Don't put a lot of pressure on yourself. I'm not sure I would bother with the Liturgy books while you're there either, but that's up to you. It's more an intellectual thinking aspect though. You can read the text of the Divine Liturgy or other services online before you go to familiarize yourself if you want to have some idea, but don't want to bother with it during the service.

From what you've said here and elsewhere, maybe you'd better enjoy just going and being there. There will be plenty to look at, listen to, the incense, and more without layering reading words over it all as well. Unless you want to.

By the way, coming and going during the Liturgy shouldn't be a problem. There are a few times we wait - if the Gospel is being read, or when the Eucharist or Gospel is carried out from the Altar, but other than that people come and go if necessary and just try not to disturb others.

But as far as existential questions, I'd say give yourself a break and don't worry about it. No one can force those kinds of revelations or understanding. Give yourself time.

(And if it makes you feel better about giving yourself a chance, before I thought I would become Orthodox, I was aware of many very practical tools and ways of thinking the Church has that can be of great benefit. If your mind demands you have a concrete goal, at least know that these can be found there as well, if that helps prevent you feeling you might be "wasting time".)

But do take your time, and be gentle with yourself, and I'd say don't give any weight to any thoughts that embarrass you.

Peace to you. :)
 
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I believe if this desire in me to go to this church is true and supernatural, than it is due to the Holy Spirit. I am simply not ready to talk to God.

May i ask is that out of fear of God?

Why would Gods Holy Spirit be moving you to seek His will by going to church if at the same time He somehow hated you and did not want you talking to Him? God would not be pulling you in and at the same time pushing you away.. God does not have multiple personality disorder :scratch: lol
 
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