I need help...

[3M0_Girl]

Ok, so I don't know if this would be the right place to put this, sorry if not

Basically I need help. A friend told me about this site, so I have tried everything else, so I figured, why not try religion...

Basically, my name is Ashley, I've had problems with depression for over 4 years. I can be put into the category of emo, to put things simply.
I have so many problems, I don't know where to turn, I'm confused and a friend told me that god could help....but I don't know if i can put my trust in something, that I don't even know exsists or not...if anyone cares plz help, I'm open to listening right now...I could really use some answers...
The only thing I havnt tried aside of religion is suicide...I'd rather keep that away...but idk anymore...

Thanks..

 

[HarborOrange]

I've grown up a Christian, all of my life. Last year, well about a year and a half ago, I was extremely sick, for an entire year straight, my brother was dying at the same time. We didn't know what was going on, or why it was all happening. Turns out, I had Crohn's Disease, so did my brother... According to some, it feels like childbirth, almost all the time, you can't escape the pain. I thought dying would've been better, but I held on because I knew YHWH had a greater purpose in my life. To this day, I still do not know that the purpose is, but my brother and I lived, and in fact we are completely healed from a disease which is supposed to be life long. We were supposed to get our intestines taken out when we were older, we were supposed to go on drugs with a side effect of death, yet God pulled us through. Honestly, it's a miracle, and I didn't really believe in miracles before then.
I was extremely depressed during that time, which was when I was about 14/15 years old, I just wanted to die because I didn't want to keep going through my entire life with the pain I had. It took a long time, but eventually, YHWH healed me, and now I've learned, I've become a better person as that pain became more and more real to me. I don't know why it had to be through that experience, but it was through that experience that YHWH made me who I am.
So, anyways, after that long story, I just wanted to let you know that I've been in the exact same spot that you have. (Except, I don't consider, and never considered, myself as an emo. I'm not anything, I'm just who I am. Haha.) But otherwise, I know exactly how you feel right now, at least to a large extent, and I just want to let you know that yes, religion does help. However, you have to keep in mind that this is not a religion, it is a relationship. God is not unapproachable, he is there for you whenever you need him. He is, well, the Father. I talk to him all the time, about everything. And, don't become bitter like I did if other Christians' activities put you off. Lots of Christians say they love Jesus with their mouths, and walk out the church door and deny him with their lifestyles, don't let that put you off. I became bitter about Christianity for awhile due to many things I've learned over time, but it would take too much detail to get into now.
All I can tell you is to just hold on, keep faith, and don't take anything negative people say to heart. Only speak life about yourself, and about others. It'll make you feel better, trust me.

 

[Mela Monkey]

A good way to start out is to pray. Obviously the concept of god and jesus and the bible can be hard to grasp, so just start out by praying. You don't need to make it complex or super emotional, just ask god to help you out in your time of need.

Also, having depression for 4 years is a serious issue. Have you had any help for it?

 

[3M0_Girl]

I appreciate your responses...but alot of this I don't understand...I've maybe been to church 3 times in my life...I don't know much about religion, and any of the rituals required

my uncle is a Christian so he has told me a bit about it, but I've mostly rejected him in the past

what I need is if you could explain to me what exactly god is, and how I can get him to help me...my friend has told me he can, but I'm not sure how...

And I was diagnosed as bi-polar a few weeks back..that may have something to do with it mela monkey, but there are other things...

What I'm looking for is something I can put my trust in that won't let me down...I've tried everything else...I'm not sure where to go...i just want answers...

 

[Mela Monkey]

I appreciate your responses...but alot of this I don't understand...I've maybe been to church 3 times in my life...I don't know much about religion, and any of the rituals required

When it comes to christianity, there really are no rituals.

my uncle is a Christian so he has told me a bit about it, but I've mostly rejected him in the past

Maybe try to talk to that uncle again? i'm sure he could help you out here more than you probably think.

what I need is if you could explain to me what exactly god is, and how I can get him to help me...my friend has told me he can, but I'm not sure how...

I can't explain exactly what or who he is, but ill try. The bible often referes to him as the "father" so think of him like that, and we are his children. Like a biological father, we have a relationship with him, which we can choose to strengthen or weaken. One difference is that I believe the only way to have a relationship with him is through his son, Jesus - who died for our sins so that we wouldn't have to. Back to god being like a father though.. A father tries to guide his children, because he knows what's best for us, but often we don't think that he knows what's best for us. So often people will decide to live their life according to how they think it should be lived, which can easily go wrong. He also loves us more than anyone can imagine, which is why he allows us to make our own choices.

So how can you get to know and trust him? Try to get into a church, because that can help you to start a relationship with him. And as I said earlier, prayer. Prayer is one of the most powerful things that you can use. Say something like.. "God, help me out right now.. I feel so lost, please bring peace, comfort, and understanding into my life.."

And I was diagnosed as bi-polar a few weeks back..that may have something to do with it mela monkey, but there are other things...

Ok, it's good that you found that out.




I hope that my answers help clear things up, rather than confuse you even more..

 

[3M0_Girl]

No I appreciate them very much...

Well, I still have trouble believing...that he actually exsists...I mean how do you know? What if he is really fake? And if the bible is just a book? And it's not just made
up...idk I have a hard time seeing it...but maybe I'm just being stubborn...I'll try to go to a church, any suggestions? I have seen alot, is there a specific one that I should go to?

 

[Mela Monkey]

I don't know for sure that god is real, nobody really can say that..
But there's things i've felt, which send chills down my spine, things that I can't explain.. it's not something I always feel, and I only ever feel this when meditating on him in whatever way.

And if this is all fake and just part of my imagination, then ohwell.. what i've found has made my life much more peaceful, i don't get angry very often, and I have a sense of hope when things aren't going right.

With the bible, that's another part of faith. I personally don't see how men alone could have written a book like this, which answers many questions.

And no, you're not stubborn for having a hard time believing. I've been going to church my whole life.. and I sort of went along with it for most of the time, until just a couple years ago.. when I found out that it was so much more than just reading the bible, going to church, and looking like a good person.

As for a church.. does that friend, who told you about god, go to church? If so, would it be possible to go to that one?

 

[3M0_Girl]

Yes well....idk...I guess the main reason I'm having
a hard time is because....I've put my trust into many things in my life...many real things...and i have been let down or hurt by them...I guess I'm afraid to put my trust in something again...something that I'm not entiraly sure is there...

And he lives a good two hours away...I only see him sometimes because their family has been friends with my family...we mostly talk over the phone
and Internet...

So I'd rather find one, a bit closer

 

[Mela Monkey]

Well, in that case.. i'd just try to find one nearby for now. you could always search up churches on google maps, if you don't know where to find one.

 

[3M0_Girl]

Well, in that case.. i'd just try to find one nearby for now. you could always search up churches on google maps, if you don't know where to find one.

That is true...
Thank you so much for your input...I'm glad someone cares... :\

 

[solarwave]

Hey Ashley,

Im sorry to hear that your having a hard time with depression at the moment, but God can help and I hope some of us here can try to help too. Sorry if this turns out to be a long post.

Firstly I'll explain very simply what Christianity is and assume you don't know anything about it (if you do know more than I assume then sorry lol).

So we believe in God. He is everywhere, He is all-powerful, all-knowing, but most importantly He is all-loving and cares about us personally. He has also always existed, is perfectly good and He created the universe (think about the Big Bang.... everything came from a tiny point of energy... what caused the Big Bang?)

We believe God can be understood as 3 persons. The Father (probably how you think of God); The Son, Jesus (God became a man); and the Holy Spirit (God who does things in the world today).

So basically no one is perfect. All of us do things wrong and God is perfect. That means when we do things which are wrong (which we call sin) it is in a way turning our backs on God and rejecting Him because He is perfect. This means we are separated from God.

But 2000 years ago God became a man who was Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect life, never doing anything wrong and showed us how to live a good life. Then Jesus allowed Himself to be killed on the cross, and a very painful death.

The reason He did this was to save us from hell. Because we do things wrong we deserve punishment because God is justice. But instead of punishing us, Jesus choose to be punished instead of us. This means that if we trust in Jesus we will be forgiven as if we had NEVER done anything wrong. Not only that, Jesus rose from the dead and we we die we will go to heaven to be with God.

I would like to point out that you don't need to know ANY rituals and Christianity isn't about rules and regulations. It's about a God who loves you right now, as you are and always will. Its about freeing you to live life to the full and giving hope to those in pain. Its about having an actual relationship with God Himself. This is call prayer, it is simply talking to God, nothing more, nothing less. Since He is everywhere He can hear what you say.

I hope I havn't written too much and it all makes sense. If you have any questions at all feel free to ask.

Solarwave.

 

[3M0_Girl]

Thank you sir,

Before today I didn't know any of this...but I've been talking with a member via PMing and she has helped me to understand this more...
Your post has done the same...
It's just...I need time to think about things...I have alot on my mind...to much lol...I just need to think...this is alot to take in at once...and I'm not entiraly sure I believe it all yet...

but thank you everyone for your imput and comments...I know I understand alot more now...and I know there may be some flicker of hope left for me...

But I need time...

Thank you all again...
~Ashley K.

 

[solarwave]

Sorry to have to make another post and say even more.

You are unsure whether God exists; I'll try and give some reasons:

1) God heals people. I don't just mean over a long period, but instantly heals people.

For example there is one girl I know who had a reading age of 8 a few years ago. She could not see straight lines very well or very contrasting colours. Then one day she was prayed for and was healed. She then took her GCSE English and not only passed but got an A I believe.

I have seen many people healed and heard of hundreds just in the group of churches I am part of.

2) You can know God personally. Through prayer is one way. This is just something you will have to find out for yourself.

3) Historians (atheist or not) agree that there was a man called Jesus 2000 years ago who preached, claimed to heal and died on a cross.

Now His 12 followers were scared after Jesus died because they thought that they would be killed too. But then suddenly they became confident and started telling people that Jesus rose from the dead and that they saw Him.... in fact that 200 people saw Him and to ask them to find out. His followers continued to tell people and all except 1 were killed for saying that Jesus rose from the dead.

Some were crucified, one crucifed upside down, another stoned to death and others killed in horrible ways. Now why would they die for something they KNEW was a lie? I think the answer is that no one would die a horrible death for something they knew was wrong. They either saw Jesus alive again after death or didn't, and it makes sense to think Jesus did actually rise from the dead.

I could go on but I'll leave it at that for now. By the way Christ is the title of Jesus.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Bible, Romans 5:6-8

 

[solarwave]

Thank you sir,

Before today I didn't know any of this...but I've been talking with a member via PMing and she has helped me to understand this more...
Your post has done the same...
It's just...I need time to think about things...I have alot on my mind...to much lol...I just need to think...this is alot to take in at once...and I'm not entiraly sure I believe it all yet...

The post above this I wrote before I saw you write this.

I hope you figure things out.

 

[3M0_Girl]

Thank you...I just...the main thing is, if he is as powerful as you say...and is someone who is perfect...then why would he wanna know me? To protect me? To...love me?
I've done some horrible things...made some bad choices...I don't see how or why he'd save me from death...it's just...hard to see...

 

[solarwave]

Thank you...I just...the main thing is, if he is as powerful as you say...and is someone who is perfect...then why would he wanna know me? To protect me? To...love me?
I've done some horrible things...made some bad choices...I don't see how or why he'd save me from death...it's just...hard to see...

Because you are His child. Why does a father love his child? Simply because He loves you, because He loves you, because He loves you.

Its not based upon how good we are, or what we do, but simply because you are His child. He created you.

There are much worse people who have become Christians. We all fail and do things wrong (even Christians ), but God knows this and wants to forgive you.

Try telling God you want to know if He is real and if He loves you, but you arn't sure and if He could help..... if you really mean it.

Try watching this (or read it if you go back to the main page): Father's Love Letter Narration Video

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -- The Bible, Romans 8:38-39

 

[3M0_Girl]

Maaybe I'm having a hard time understanding because
my father has never really cared for me...at all... I don't know the feeling of a loving father...real or not...so like I said, I just need time to think...

Thank you for all the kind words though...

 

[solarwave]

Thats understandable

 

[visionary]

I remember the time before Christ.. my world was closing in around me, and the light and joy of life was being squeezed out by the pressures of living.. I found no joy, peace, or purpose.. I was seriously looking at suicide as the answer to it all.. I was that depressed...

Then I made God a deal.. I told him that I would seriously study to know how to come into His Presence and He was to lead me only. .. and in return He would prepare me to meet Him.. so that I could get answers directly from Him on all this mess around and in my life....

I got a concordance, bible, and a scribbler.. and began a serious study into His Word to find all those who came into contact with Him... I prayed like He was real and really beside me talking to my heart and teaching me what the process was to meet with Him. .. I let the bible study go whereever my heart and mind took it, always praying that He was leading me.. I gathered up all the information on what those who did encounter God experience, what they say, saw, felt, and understood.. I gathered up all the information that God said is required to meet Him, what to expect, see, experience, and what do I need to do to be prepared to meet Him... I continued to study for over six months like this, determined that I was giving God all out effort...before I offed myself..

I can honestly say that there were some days where the Lord and I had royal battles, and other days where I thought we were getting somewhere. Then one day, the Lord came to me and said I was ready and to repent of all my sins... My list was short and then the Lord took over, bringing up sins I never knew were sins, my secret sins, favorite sins, and when I did not understand the sinfulness of the sins, He would open up my mind to understand the exceedingly sinfulness of those sins. I saw how they have roots not only in my life but those around me, I say the ugly fruit that comes from those sins. The height, depth, and breath of destruction, delusionment, and discusting before an almighty pure God was revealed to me, until I abhored to see them in me. I truly repented. I was amazed as to just how sinful I was.. and in my overwhelmed state of repentance, I cried out, "Is there no end to these sins?" to which God wiped the rest of the slate clean as if they never happened.

It was at that moment I experienced the "peace that passes all understanding". I basked in the moment. Then God reminded me that we were to meet and came knocking at the door to my heart, which I opened up and let Him in.

If it was not for "His robe of righteousness" placed on my shoulders I would not have been able to stand in the Presence of God. As it was, I was like Isaiah.. crying "Woe is me" because I saw how unworthy I was to be standing before a Holy God. God granted me the strength to stand before Him. We talked about all kinds of things that had been plaguing my heart and mind for a long time. I can not tell you how long this went on but I do know that the visit seemed to be but a moment while the time I started to repent was 9 am and time when the conversation was over was 9 pm.

So with all confidence I can say, God is real, and He really does love you, and He really wants you to meet Him. Get real with God and He will get real with you.

 

[Thomas The Atheist]

Would you care to hear my thought on this?
I'm willing to care and give you my honest advice on this matter, if you'd like me to do so.

If not however, that's alright I can understand you've come to this christian site for support, and a vision of life opposing this might not be what you need in these times.

Anyhow, drop a comment and if you'd please, I'll gladly share my opinion with you

Greetings and much love,
Thomas.