Problems Dealing With Stress and Backsliding

[IntoTheCrimsonSky]

Hi Everyone,

Hope this is in the right place. I thought about posting it in the depression forum but thought this was more fitting because it's circumstancial depression rather than a medical kind.

Over the past several years a lot has happened that has really effected me and caused me to have to go through depression and anxiety issues. For over a year I suffered from severe panic attacks and such. I won't get into details unless they're needed, but I'm still dealing with the after effects. I'm also a new Christian, which as most of you know, brings its own struggles as I access my life and stuff.

Anyway, I've been suffering through a lot of backsliding lately and find it hard to focus on Bible study or prayer. Most of the time when I attempt to pray I can't think of anything to say, I just end up crying.

One of my biggest problems is that while trying to crawl out of this hole I need to start getting a schedule back into my life. Become productive again, which I haven't been in a long time. Years, actually. When I get depressed I tend to sleep in untill 11am or after, therefor wasting half of my day and ending up running out of time quite easily to do those things important to me.

Problem is, no matter how badly I want to get up early and change my outlook in the morning when I go to bed..it never happens. I'll even go to bed early, and end up getting up at the same time. =\ I seriously need advice on how to fight the morningtime depression and find motivation to get moving. To actually look forward to the day, rather than be scared to face it because it seems so overwhelming. Any ideas? I'd especially like to hear from someone who's overcome that kind of thing.

Also, any advice to fight the backsliding? Prayer is so hard I find, and that's mainly what I see as a suggestion . To ask God to help me get back on track, I just end up having problems doing so. Someone once suggested finding some Bible verses or lyrics that are uplifting and keep me focused on Him if I have problems, but I have yet to really find any I'd like. Suggestions for that too?

Anyway, I'd appreciate any help you guys can give. I'll be 19 in a couple months and I'm so far behind in my life with no real plan anymore...It all seems so hopeless. Yet I do have faith He'll help, and one day I'll look back on all this from a happier place. I just can't see the path to get there.

Thanks!

Blessings and Love,
Sarah

 

[Johnnz]

Get mum or someone to make sure you are out of bed. Depression does hinder motivation. Then get into some planned activities, including exercise and sunshine.

You probably need to read a good book about basic Christian doctrine and practice. An old, but very good book is "Beyond Ourselves" by Catherine Marshall. if it is out of print try Amazon, or a local library.

John
NZ

 

[Onlythingavailable]

I know you feel like you're "lagging behind", but 19 isn't old!

Could you schedule some sort of activity in the mornings? Something you would be doing together with someone else, so you would have sort of an obligation to get up. It could be anything, going for a run or meeting someone for coffee etc. Just a reason to get out of bed.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

Anyway, I've been suffering through a lot of backsliding lately and find it hard to focus on Bible study or prayer. Most of the time when I attempt to pray I can't think of anything to say, I just end up crying.

"Failure to plan is a plan for failure."

Get sticky pad or note book. Write down the names of people you wish to pray for and what you like lord to help them with.

Finding the words to say it is difficult, between pride and not really done it before. I am trying to read the psalms, which many of them are prayers to God. Just something the gets better with age from what I understand.

One of my biggest problems is that while trying to crawl out of this hole I need to start getting a schedule back into my life. Become productive again, which I haven't been in a long time. Years, actually. When I get depressed I tend to sleep in untill 11am or after, therefor wasting half of my day and ending up running out of time quite easily to do those things important to me.

I struggle with this too time to time. It is mainly me siding with my sinful nature. Like a comfort zone, the bed, that once I am in it getting out is a massive choor. I learned that I have to make myself uncomfortible sometimes to get me moving.

Galatians 5:16-26
Living by the Spirit’s Power
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

I read over this once and didn't mean anything to me. I found it once again while doing study on self control. I was sitting at my desk feeling so helpless. I closed my eyes and tried to listen for this spirit that Paul was talking about. I heard it... but it came to me as a whisper. If I were to better describe it, it's that strong sense of responcibilillty that I tend to ignore.

When I have moment of confusion or weakness, I focus my thoughts on that voice. Kinda like I look for work orders by my inner foreman. Learn to listen to it.

About backsliding, I found book of Peter be helpful.

Realize that you are a new born child of God. You just begun your journey and you have lot learning to do. Start small, make baby steps and build from there. Don't lose hope and if you have a problem or feel that you are a slave to certain behavior remember to "Ask, seek and knock". Don't be satified with the problem, look for your answers.

Matthew 7:8
"8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."

I hope the doors will open for you as they have with me. If I can be of a further help just let me know.

oh one last thing, understanding a problem is huge. For you can then understand the knowledge that is given to you. Once the knowledge is applied, it becomes your wisdom. Wouldnt hurt to thumb thru the proverbs ^^

Proverbs 19:8
8 To acquire wisdom is to love oneself;
people who cherish understanding will prosper.

 

[Anti Existance]

There's only 3 directions in life, down where death lies, stay where you are and go in circles and go upwards. the first two options are worthless, only going up will improve your life.

Backsliding isn't the real problem, what's far more important is the course that you set in your life, namely that course that goes upwards despite that things go wrong, you constantly fight in order to move towards a higher level in your life.

And the truth is that life is survival regardless on what level your on. So ok not everything goes right, but that's to be expected , just stick on your course to go upwards. You see when dealing with problems its better to fight them then to run away from them.

The Keyword = Balance.

Keep going to sleep at an early time, and your body will adjust to that time. Don't go sleeping with the thought '[wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth] i need to sleep' just lay down and think, im perfectly satisfied just laying down. And then you'll fall asleep.

If for every time you pray, you would instead stick out your hands and make a difference, then your world would indeed actually change.

A person like you should focus on doing, and aligning yourself with the harsh reality of the world. For some people Doing comes first, and then thinking along comes with it.

You see, if you only think then you get the following situation

Thoughts/words without action = zero.

And if your a real thinker you'll notice that the moment you start thinking , nothing comes out of your hands.

So put your mind on zero, do something, and while doing it, think about it. I found that the best way to actually get going is just that,no more frizzle frazzle and keeping yourself busy with things that you will not improve or gain profit from. Just mind on zero and do it.