Need some advice

[Iguana02]

I just want to start off by saying thanks to all the responses and support.

Im a really depressed individual who just got out of a long relationship which isnt helping my depression, im only 22. I moved to another state for work but I dont have any friends and see no hope for a girlfriend any time soon. I have tried taking medicine for my depression but I really dont like taking medicine in general.

I was thinking about starting to go to church. It sounds selfish when I think about it because I want to go to church to try to be happier, make friends, meet new people and have something to do besides sit in my room when im not at work(I hate parting and not a real big drinker nor do I like drugs). People I work with along with my family and especially my grandparents always seem happy and they all regularly attend church. Im thinking I might be depressed because I dont believe in anything.

My thought has always been the more money I made the happier I would be which is not the case since I make really good money.

I just want to hear some opinions of others.

 

[seashale76]

Well, a church community can provide a good support system, and I find this to be true for myself. However, that is not my main reason for attending church either.

I also took meds for depression and anxiety for a while and made the decision that I wanted to be weaned off of them. They helped for a while, but I wasn't a fan of the side effects. I'd caution you to NOT stop taking your meds abruptly. I'm currently taking pharmacology and can tell you that if you don't like your meds, then you need to talk to your doctor about either finding a dose or a medication that might work better for you, or tell them you'd like to be weaned off altogether. Abruptly stopping meds can be very dangerous- and you shouldn't be taking those meds and mixing them with alcohol at all anyway- because that is also quite dangerous.

I started going back to church because I felt convicted to do so and it gives me peace- especially partaking of the sacraments. The fact that there are good people there I count as friends has become a bonus.

Anyway- I understand where you're coming from here- I think. Church wouldn't hurt. Also- getting involved in other activities where you'd meet friends- like sports, etcetera could also be good for you.

 

[Iguana02]

I stopped taking the meds a while ago. im through all the side effects and stuff.

 

[paul1149]

Peter was "selfish" when he called out for the Lord to save him from drowning. There's nothing wrong with going to church to meet the right kind of people. Hopefully it won't stop at that level though. The Lord made us for fellowship and there's nothing wrong with reaching out to find it. If it doesn't work out you could try a different church. You have a lot of good values and I think you would enjoy being with people who shared them.

 

[bling]

I was going to say something like Paul just said. You might need to check several Churches out to see which one show the most Christ like Love.

 

[parsley]

We take for granted how life moves along when people are around. We really need human interaction, whether we like it or not. A church can be a great place to meet people with similar values, and sometimes a premise of similar faith. That is worth something.

I can see where it might feel selfish, but it is still important to pursue God outside of church. If a believer is already praying, reading the Bible, and trying to live as a Christian during the week, then going to church is the time when they do this corporately. So... most other people would be going for the fellowship too.

It's more complex than that, but I don't think you need to feel guilty over it. Just don't pretend when you're there-- be yourself.

It's stressful to move to a new city, new surroundings, new job, new coworkers.... uprooting like that can make a person feel like they lost touch with themselves. Church friendships will probably help you feel more settled in. Sermons are usually great for reflecting on personal growth too, so you will get some insights even if you don't agree completely.

and have something to do besides sit in my room when im not at work

In the early days of sabbaths, people worked six days and took one off. They probably felt that way too -- better to meet on that day when no one worked. Share a pot of grandma's sauce together after services.

In the past I might have been more purist in my response, making sure that God was honored in the effort to attend church. But everything we believe comes gradually, and friendships develop over time. Even in the Torah, outsiders were to be invited to religious festivals and fed as though they belonged in the group.

 

[chrisstavrous]

I just want to start off by saying thanks to all the responses and support.

Im a really depressed individual who just got out of a long relationship which isnt helping my depression, im only 22. I moved to another state for work but I dont have any friends and see no hope for a girlfriend any time soon. I have tried taking medicine for my depression but I really dont like taking medicine in general.

I was thinking about starting to go to church. It sounds selfish when I think about it because I want to go to church to try to be happier, make friends, meet new people and have something to do besides sit in my room when im not at work(I hate parting and not a real big drinker nor do I like drugs). People I work with along with my family and especially my grandparents always seem happy and they all regularly attend church. Im thinking I might be depressed because I dont believe in anything.

My thought has always been the more money I made the happier I would be which is not the case since I make really good money.

I just want to hear some opinions of others.

Do what your thinking and see what happens, if it gets all to much you can always do something else.