Feeling guilt

[Porpoise]

I have chronic depression and I am barely able to get any work done, and only with great anguish and poor quality. My job gets harder all the time. I think I am unable to do any kind of work. What if I quit working? Would God forgive me? I feel like it will be my fault if I quit. We are supposed to work and earn our own living. We're supposed to not grow weary of doing good. I don't want to become a burden to anyone, or lose the life that I have. I feel so guilty for not doing my job well enough and for wanting to quit. Does my guilt mean that I am sinning and need to try harder to work? Or is it a false guilt?

 

[little_miss_sunshine]

I think "work" in our modern times has changed it's meaning. It's not like we were in the past, where we had to go and tame nature so to speak. We are now basically manipulating money from one direction to another. Too much distractions, finance games, marketing etc.
If you can afford it, I see nothing wrong with not working. Plus, you would have more time to actually do meaningful work - helping others, praying etc. Or just living a simple life.

 

[Lost4words]

OP, you are not alone. I suffer anxiety and depression. I know what's it's like. Plus, I suffer with a really bad back yet I still work. Not sure for how long though. I feel guilty too. How will I manage. Will I be a burden on the state etc etc.

If you not well, you not well. Pray about it.

I know God will help you friend.

 

[Tempura]

Like someone already said, "work" doesn't always mean what it used to mean. And even if it did, do you think your workplace is just a means to get you God's approval somehow, as if He's reluctant to give it? He already gave us His only Son. What you're feeling is purely guilt based on social factors, and it has most likely nothing to do with God or your value as a person. Or should we judge homeless bums as godless people with no human value, and cast them out even further from us if possible?

Not all jobs are good for everyone. There's a reason why there are so many burnouts and people feeling empty about the work they're doing. And the more people insist they just need to keep doing what they did before, even if they're completely drained out, the harder the fall is for them because their job was the only thing they attached their self-worth to. Perhaps there's something else that's better for you, if you just can't keep doing what you're doing.

God isn't angry at you. You can never earn God's love, it's freely given. I've witnessed plenty of burnouts, myself included (although there were lots of other factors in my case). It's not a joke. If someone is actively avoiding any kind of work and bragging about it even if they're very able to do anything, that's another thing, but you don't sound like anything even remotely close to that mindset. It's okay to rest, it's okay to weigh your options and expand your horizons. Said a prayer for you.

 

[dreadnought]

I have chronic depression and I am barely able to get any work done, and only with great anguish and poor quality. My job gets harder all the time. I think I am unable to do any kind of work. What if I quit working? Would God forgive me? I feel like it will be my fault if I quit. We are supposed to work and earn our own living. We're supposed to not grow weary of doing good. I don't want to become a burden to anyone, or lose the life that I have. I feel so guilty for not doing my job well enough and for wanting to quit. Does my guilt mean that I am sinning and need to try harder to work? Or is it a false guilt?

When I was your age I experienced some depression. I began seeing a psychiatrist and came away feeling better. It was like a confessional. But years later the Lord led me to repent of sins I was committing, and suddenly my life was transformed into something beautiful.

 

[Jeshu]

More often than not people who are severely sick cannot work. Depression can easily be bad enough to fall into that category. Chronic Depression is a severe mental illness that needs lots of loving care to get over. i haven't done paid work for many years because my depression makes it impossible to work i have however done volunteers work and in other ways helped other people in trouble and in this way i still feel somewhat useful.

God's love is for free. He doesn't follow the worldly way of looking at things. So thank Him for the freedom to be able to be sick and ask Him to show you what is best to do from here. Guilt is unlikely to give you the right answers but will increase your torment.

Peace

 

[Press On]

I have chronic depression and I am barely able to get any work done, and only with great anguish and poor quality. My job gets harder all the time. I think I am unable to do any kind of work. What if I quit working? Would God forgive me? I feel like it will be my fault if I quit. We are supposed to work and earn our own living. We're supposed to not grow weary of doing good. I don't want to become a burden to anyone, or lose the life that I have. I feel so guilty for not doing my job well enough and for wanting to quit. Does my guilt mean that I am sinning and need to try harder to work? Or is it a false guilt?

Hello,

Please get checked out medically. Bloodwork can reveal a lot. Your body may be deficient in some area. Depression can be helped with meds as well if this is the case.

I like Tempura’s idea of giving yourself a break if you can possibly afford it. Above all, stay close to God and don’t allow yourself to be consumed by guilt.

Prayers.