Lack of enjoyment in anything

[cloudstrife007]

I'm not sure what my issue is, but I've realised that I don't really have a strong appreciation for anything in particular.

I stopped video games a few years ago because I find them to be a waste of time.
I don't hang out with my close bunch of school friends as often (non-Christians) because most of the time, they're out drinking/gambling/spending money on stuff.
I'm not particularly enthusiastic about any sport, though I do play basketball every Sunday night with my friends.
I don't have any TV shows that I watch any more.

One of the uni ministry workers I know actually called me a workaholic and told me I need to spend some time for myself. She asked me what I actually do in my past time and I actually couldn't answer her.

I don't know. I'm just finding everything in life to be a folly and pointless. This is from the point of view that if we're waiting for eternity, then I shouldn't bother indulging in anything in this life except trying to work hard for the gospel. I have a feeling I'm missing some important step or logic here.

Most of my week is spent either doing uni studies or being involved in ministry. But the thing is I'm not particularly the most sociable or talkative person either.

Only thing I do enjoy is hanging with friends. But even then, I'm not good at making conversations and so I like just sitting and listening to my friends talk.

What's wrong with me...

 

[Quasicentennial]

Spreading the Word of God is no easy mission and you sometimes feel like you are left on the sidelines, just watching and listening, as if you are a television viewer just sitting comfortably on the sofa watching them perform their heroic skillful abilities to win over their hearts to our Lord Jesus Christ - and they get all the rewards and you get none for zero or below zero effort. Jesus does not measure how much effort we put in spreading the gospel. He measures our love and obedience to the Word of God, no matter how imperfect our lives may be, you can remain strong in faith by showing your respect to every person you meet and be not afraid, with the fearlessness of Jesus, to show your true worthiness as a true honest Christian. That is the miracle of supernatural maturity of Jesus that grows constantly inside you like a giant standing tall and strong - like David who defeated Goliath. Jesus is our winner and warrior against the spiritual battle of Satan that is deceiving non-Christians and preventing Christians to stay strong in faith with our Lord Jesus. All Christians including myself must be careful not to judge others by their lack of action because the bible verse: love your neighbor as yourself means to love all non-Christians, as well as Christians who seem like they are not performing God's work in spreading the gospel to the uninformed non-Christians. Many years can move forward and a non-Christian would never show any interest in God until one day, that non-Christian suddenly realises that the deceitful faith-blinding sin from Satan has been miraculously removed like a moth coming alive from melted frozen ice. Allow the mighty spiritual warrior within you, our Jesus Christ, to work wonders of the living Word of God in your attitude towards others. The Word of God is not just a book with printed black words on paper or online such as Biblegateway.com - that remain where it belongs, the Word of God is alive and will create supernatural perfect justice and peace so that our behavior is beyond the human justice system where God is our true judge of all judges of justice. When Jesus returns, we will know for sure who rules our Earth as one global government democracy with our Lord Jesus where death does not exist in God's kingdom.:*:.

 

[boomersoonerliz]

It seems like you just may be an introverted person or you could be going through a depression spell. I get that way when I am depressed.

 

[iambren]

Sounds like depression.

You might try researching anhedonia.

 

[briareos]

Don't be so hard on yourself friend, let go of all that 'Dilly Dally Shilly Shally" embrace the friends you have, smile, let yourself live.

Do you remember this conversation?

"You came even though your about to break. That's a good sign"
"So... why did you come?"

"I think I wanna be forgiven. hmmmm. More than anything"

"By who?"

"But... I let you die"

"Dilly Dally Shilly Shally.... isn't it time you do the forgiving?"

 

[briareos]

This song always made me smile

FF7: Advent Children Soundtrack - Calling - YouTube

and this video makes me happy

Living Legacy. - YouTube

 

[If Not For Grace]

Based on your age; I'm guessing; you MAY be in a phase of transition. Approaching
thirty. The things you used to find enjoyable do not hold your attention anymore (could this be a sign of maturity?) Yet you do not exactly know what it is you want
to replace those things with; perhaps that's just because it's new territory.

I have a word for you-NORMAL. We all come to crossroads in our lives when it is
time to let go of old things and start a new or different path. Try & look ahead a
few years and ask yourself where you'd like to be.

What about a spouse or children-do you see yourself as a family person?

What about roots-buying a house? Becoming part of some community?

What about learning the guitar or taking up writing or skydiving?

Do you like travel?

Work is a means to an end not the end. You don't want to wake up one day, when
you've retired and work have been the only thing in your life-even if it was history making or world changing work. Jesus was about relationship. You can do some
soul searching and make adjustments as necessary. Start w/baby steps.

One does not have to be the lead speaker to be part of the group. You are OK; it
sounds like you are a tree that is about to grow a new branch. Take a little time &
make some decisions yet be flexible and let things flow. But Jesus does want us to
enjoy they life we have; you've heard the word abundant, right? Seek a little, you
can let the current in a river carry you, but you have to get in the water.

 

[Emmy]

Dear cloudstrife007. You tell us that you don`t like talking much, but to show love and care does not need many words, a gentle smile will do wonders. Let all you know and all you meet that you really love and care for them: always are ready to give a helping hand, and answer any question with friendly and helpful words, just enough to show that you love and care. That is what God wants from us, Loving God with hearts, souls and minds, and loving our neighbour as we love ourselves: always with a helping hand and a friendly smile. God will see your sincere effort, and God will bless you, AND God will know that you love God, because you follow His Commandments to love: selflessly and freely.
Jesus told us that the first Commandment is to love God with all our beings, and the second is: to love our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus will give you His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give you His Love, also. Jesus told us to " ask God and ye will receive," then thank God and share all around you. A kind smile is as good as a kind word, and you will have quiet Joy and life abundantly, as Jesus promised us. I say this with love, cloudstrife. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[lemon-aid stand]

I'm not sure what my issue is, but I've realised that I don't really have a strong appreciation for anything in particular.

I stopped video games a few years ago because I find them to be a waste of time.
I don't hang out with my close bunch of school friends as often (non-Christians) because most of the time, they're out drinking/gambling/spending money on stuff.
I'm not particularly enthusiastic about any sport, though I do play basketball every Sunday night with my friends.
I don't have any TV shows that I watch any more.

One of the uni ministry workers I know actually called me a workaholic and told me I need to spend some time for myself. She asked me what I actually do in my past time and I actually couldn't answer her.

I don't know. I'm just finding everything in life to be a folly and pointless. This is from the point of view that if we're waiting for eternity, then I shouldn't bother indulging in anything in this life except trying to work hard for the gospel. I have a feeling I'm missing some important step or logic here.

Most of my week is spent either doing uni studies or being involved in ministry. But the thing is I'm not particularly the most sociable or talkative person either.

Only thing I do enjoy is hanging with friends. But even then, I'm not good at making conversations and so I like just sitting and listening to my friends talk.

What's wrong with me...

i don't think that you actually have anything wrong with you.. but, if you find out that there is something wrong with you.. please inform me. because i suffer the same thing.. hahaha.. but, honestly. i see that most true christians are separate from the world.. we tend to be loners.. now i have christians friends that are quite the opposite. these usually being the married ones.. and the reason they seem so involved is because of the children.. i think that we can also agree that Jesus was a loner.. although He spent alot of time with His followers. He would always be off spending alone time with the Father.. so, take heart in knowing that you are very much in keeping with the order of things.. sometimes i see people laughing and i think to myself, "wow! wish i could be part of those great times.. but most of the time if i really listen.. they are say profane things and talking about things of that very nature that i have put behind me.. anyhow, keep up the good fight my friend.. in Jesus....

 

[insurchoftruth]

The enjoyment of life, and the things in life, is a gift of God, according to the book of Ecclesiastes. God enables a person to enjoy life and the things of life.

Because God is Love, and loves us so much, therefore, he did create us on this earth in order to suffer, but to enjoy this life and the earth he created.
How can God, who is Love, and who is good, and who loves us so much, not want us, who are created in his image, to enjoy things in life?

Our enjoyment of things in this life, also gives God enjoyment. It is like a earthly father, who gives gifts to his children, and watches them, how they enjoy those gifts, because the joy of the child, is the joy of the father too.

[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]1[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] Timothy[/FONT][FONT=Arial, sans-serif] 6:17[/FONT]

 

[parsley]

if you find out that there is something wrong with you.. please inform me.

Lol, I think you'd be surprised (OP) how many people go through these phases. Just remember that you don't always feel this way, and are putting yourself under a lot of stress right now.

Let all you know and all you meet that you really love and care for them:

(-:
If you really hone what your goals are in your Christian life, you probably would eventually come to the conclusion that the greatest of all these efforts is love. That's what people respond to.

I would also guess that God is allowing you to go through a thought process. Learning from gain but also from mistakes -- a sort of nonverbal conversation about life philosophy.

you MAY be in a phase of transition.

When in the middle of it, it won't seem like a phase. But it almost always is.

Anhedonia, interesting -- " Greek "a-" (without) "hedone" (pleasure, delight). Other words derived from "hedone" include hedonism"
Cloud, it seems like you trained your brain toward such a tight efficiency that it doesn't know where to apply future energies. I think it is possible to get out of it without increasing hedonism, but you might need to admit to some personal interests and wishes, and allow yourself to be a little more human/fallible.

Sometimes people get this way from religious devotion -- look at how many cults gain followers that love the self-discipline and working toward higher goals. (We create our own personal cults?)

And sometimes people get this way from fear of doing things wrong -- wanting respect and acceptance but also preventing any flaws from showing. The public is very critical these days, so it can be tempting to do whatever is necessary to prevent criticism.

And sometimes it is a physical/medical issue -- actually it becomes that way no matter what the cause.

But watch yourself in your relationship with God -- guard yourself from trying to work for His acceptance, because He already loves you and approves of you.

 

[miss-a]

The only times I've had experiences such as you describe, not being interested in life, is when I was either depressed or exhausted. Perhaps you could check in with the Lord, ask Him if these pertain to you. Even the greats among us burn out and need rest. Charles Stanley talks of a time when he had to go off by himself and do nothing for months to recharge his batteries.

Prayer for you,
a

 

[elenore]

you might just becoming dissatisfied with the world and what it offers. that's a natural part of the christian process if you've given a lot to God.

I was watching a youtube clip of a worship leader last night and he made the statement - 'jesus ruined me for the real world' or something like that.

When we're genuine, it's what happens.

 

[elenore]

(when you find God, and really do - nothing else can ever really satisfy)

 

[cloudstrife007]

I forgot I posted this.

Thank you each and every one of you for all the words of encouragement.
I think I was/am still in a stage of transition and finding where God wants to take me next. Funnily enough we'll be teaching Ecclesiastes to our small group bible studies in a couple of weeks time.

I do try to find contentment in my Lord Jesus. And it is actually joyful for me to be serving in my home church ministry and thinking about how I can serve God in my everyday life at uni, non Christian family/friends/relatives as well.

Keep loving God with all our heart, mind soul and strength. Love others. Keep walking along the narrow path. We're not alone, Jesus is leading us through it all