Need your advice

[q_mark]

Dear friends,

This is my first post.

I have never attended any Sunday service. But I pray God for help and advice whenever I feel depressed and hopeless. There were times I could feel my prayers being answered. But at the same time, I wasn't sure if this was just a coincident. I want to get closer to God. But I don't know how. Many times, I wanted to go to Church, but too scared to meet people. Am I considered a Christian? What should I do to get closer to God?

Looking forward your advice. Thanks.

 

[zoziw]

Find the largest church you can in your area, somewhere it is easy to blend in and not be singled out as a new person.

If you start there then you can slowly increase your participation as you feel comfortable in doing so.

 

[Daughter of His]

Hi q_mark----so glad you have been praying. This is an awesome place to start and God hears you. You don't have to feel anything for Him to hear you. I've spent time in my closet praying and feeling like I was talking to the wall, but now I know God heard all along-- God knows our hearts. You can ask Him to take away the fear or distress you have of going to church and attend. When you are walking into the building just tell yourself God is with me and thank Him silently for taking care of you. I believe if we ask for His help and it is within His will marvelous "little" miracles is one of the ways the Lord shows us His incredible love for us, He cares about the deatails of our lives, naturally, He made us. Oh, I could go on, but I had better stop for now. I'll pray for you, q_, I pray you go to church tomorrow and meet people that will help you on your walk. God bless you !!

If you could spend a short time each day reading a little bit of the Bible it would help you. The Bible is a way God talks to us. I would reccomend starting in the New Testament, in the book of John.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

If you want, PM me and I will find an Orthodox Church for you. During the service, no one will really criticize at you, so you'll be fine. And afterwards, there is usually a snack and coffee hour, where you can get some free food and meet with people

If you need anything, let one of us know! We will be here for you

 

[q_mark]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for the replies. I have problem meeting people. I've been isolating myself for three years after I quit my job due to depression. So it would be hard for me to meet people. I don't know if I can handle when people approaching me during the refreshment.

Sometimes, I would self-study the Bible at home. Not consistent, though. I guess part of me still doubt the existent of God. How can I be sure that my prayers have been answered by God and not pure coincident? I've been rejected by people many times. I wanted to be nice to people. But based on my experiences, people only want to befriend and respect you only if you're a accomplished, intelligent and successful person.

So I think believing in God is the safest bet.

 

[Dr. Holly]

Hi q_mark,

Welcome to the forums first of all

You asked how you can know if your prayer was truly answered by God or if it was just coincedence? Well...a big part of Christianity is pure faith. I don't believe in coincedence so much any more. God is the ruler of all things and if you prayed to Him, I can assure you that He was listening & answered your prayer for help. God doesn't *always* answer however. Prayers that are for vein purposes usually do not get answered. They're heard, but God would rather you trust and just follow His plan in your life.

I understand that you have been rejected in the past, and I am so very sorry to hear of that. There are some cruel people in this world. I can assure you though that if you find the right church, no one is going to look down upon you. Most church people are just so happy to see you in God's house that it doesn't matter how much money you make, what you wear, or how successful in life you are. So please understand that when selecting a church that's right for you. Just keep looking & most importantly, keep praying that God gives you the strength & courage to find the right church. He knows where you belong -- so He will listen to your cry.

I want to add one more thing. I know that this is easier said than done (from personal experience), but please do not look down upon yourself. Everyone has something special to offer. Do NOT let the Devil tell you that you're worthless or that you don't belong in church because no one will like you. These are lies from him, and you must ask God to help you. I know that sounds "preachy" but it is true. I can say that from experience. You are special, unique, intelligent and are worth so much..you just have to start looking at it in a different light. Getting in a church community that is loving will most definitely help you overcome these thoughts.

God bless you and may He walk with you each & every day!

 

[q_mark]

Thank you so much for your encouragement, VAGal!

You asked how you can know if your prayer was truly answered by God or if it was just coincedence? Well...a big part of Christianity is pure faith. I don't believe in coincedence so much any more. God is the ruler of all things and if you prayed to Him, I can assure you that He was listening & answered your prayer for help. God doesn't *always* answer however. Prayers that are for vein purposes usually do not get answered. They're heard, but God would rather you trust and just follow His plan in your life.

Could you share with me what made you so sure that the prayers were truly anwered by God? I truly want to believe. I'm very desperate and hopeless at the moment. I pray God for direction. But at the same, I'm not sure if he truly exists.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

You really should check out an Orthodox Church. It's really compatible with whatever personality you are. And I'll be praying for you Read the Bible and build your faith

 

[shadowed_eyes]

I agree with everyone here, You just need to keep praying, and hey, i was rejected alot in my younger years, then again, i dont have many years to go on lol....

But, i got through my patches of feeling isolated WITHOUT God, and let me tell you, it was painful and long..... but when it happened again, recently, when i WAS with God, it just sailed by, yes it hurt, but God was there, i dont know how, but i just believed he was....

Faith, Have faith, read the Bible and pray that God will help you to live by Faith, Love and Hope, go to church, and although it seems a scary place to be, try and get someone to go with you.... andif you cant, pray that you will feel right there, and take that step out, and go, give your fear and insecurities to God and you will go amazingly far....

Good Luck for the future

S_E

 

[q_mark]

Thank you so much, Imperator and shadowed_eyes.

Imperator, I need to check out what an Orthodox Church is.

 

[shadowed_eyes]

anytime

 

[USABOB]

Hi! If you really want to get closer to God, read the bible EVERY DAY! read the 4 gospels and the book of proverbs to start with.Sorry to hear you lost your job, I've been down that road myself. the secret is when things are going bad for you ,give thanks to God for what you DO have,then He will bless you! sounds crazy but it works,trust me! As for depression,the two best cures are EXERCISE and HELPING OTHERS! when you exercise it releases hormones into the brain that help counter depression. go for a good,fast walk every day! try to find someone who needs help with something,when we help others with their problems we forget our own. Don't be afraid of people,no one is any better than you.when God measures someone he doesnt care how much money you have,he measures the heart! What are you afraid of? go to church,no one will bite you! (lol) go to a bigger church where you can sit in the back and blend in. DONT BE SHY! the bible says "I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me". Want PROOF that GOD really exists? you dont even need faith for this one! You can prove GOD exists by studying the prophecys of the Bible and then reading your daily newspaper! Most people ,even christians dont realize that a full ONE THIRD of the Bible is prophecy for OUR TIME! The middle east,european union,america,china russia are all talked about in the Bible! The book of the old testament prophet NAHUM,for instance,is an end time prophecy for Germany! likewise the book of HOSEA is about England! READ,READ,READ!!!!!!! good luck with your journey towards christianity,it may not happen overnight,but ask GOD for guidance. when you pray,dont pray for help or things,but give GOD thanks for what you already do have and the things you need will follow,sometimes in ways so miraculous it will boggle your mind! GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[q_mark]

Hi USABOB,

Thanks for the advice. I did try to help out by answering questions posted an IT forum. But some posters there just want to make my life miserable by making rude remarks on me for no apparent reasons. I told God that if this was His plan for me, I would prefer HIM to help me find a way to end my life.

 

[q_mark]

Many times, I wonder, if I need help, who is going to help me?

 

[USABOB]

YOU DO NOT WANT TO END YOUR LIFE!!! This is what the devil wants you to do!!! you sound like you are seriously depressed! you need to get counseling as soon as possible!!! PLESE,PLEASE,PLEASE DO NOT KILL YOURSELF!!!! You need to tell a friend or family member that you are feeling this way! GO talk to a minister or preist or look up the number for the local suicide prevention line! Please do not do anything rash,no problem can be so bad as to end your life!!!

 

[q_mark]

I'm now under counseling. Not much improvement, though.

I'll heed the advice given here by praying and reading the Bible.

 

[Daughter of His]

Hey Q_mark,

Sounds like going to church is difficult for you. Why don't you try going a little late and leaving a little early the first time. This could help ease you into it and you will be able to see with your own eyes the beauty of God's people gathered for worship. Do you like music??? Maybe if you could listen to Christian music it would help with the depression. There is an excellent Christian station on the computer called Sky angel it's 89.3 KSBJ. You can call and have someone pray over the phone for you 24/7.

We will be praying for you from CF. Please know God created you and He loves you. Pray like you are talking to your best friend, He is there. Bless you, you are loved.

 

[dtrb]

Q_mark I will pray that you will grow in God and recieve the peace he has to offer. DO NOT kill yourself under any circumstances. Trust in God and he will see you through.

 

[q_mark]

Hello Daughter of His,

Hey Q_mark,

Sounds like going to church is difficult for you. Why don't you try going a little late and leaving a little early the first time. This could help ease you into it and you will be able to see with your own eyes the beauty of God's people gathered for worship.

Actually meeting people is a difficult task for me. I prefer communicating to people on the internet. I think that's because I've been isolating myself for too long. Being unemployment makes me feel very shameful. You know, during the introduction, people usually like to ask is: what do you do? There are people who like to judge others based on their accomplishment and success. I don't think I can't handle that kind of rejection at this moment. I'm quite vunerable. Even a Christian can be nasty and rude.

Btw, could you guys tell me how to delete a message? I couldn't find the delete icon.

 

[Bizzlebin Imperatoris]

Don't think you can delete posts actually

Well, I have not seen such judgements in Orthodoxy. I think you just need to get out and do it. Your going to worry yourself silly thinking about it, but it won't be bad at all when you actually do it