struggling

[Alive in Christ]

I am going through some really tough times. I am struggling with sin as well as trying to put my trust in the Lord instead of in money. I feel like I'm being held back from the Lord. I've been through and am still going through depression, anxiety, and panic disorder. I feel like I'm living in fear. I'm also very insightful, discerning, and creative but very shy and inside myself; I feel scared about going to church, especially a charismatic one, because I'm so shy. I had a rough childhood with my parents divorcing and not having any real structure or rules was very hard. I'm only barely 17 (one month away). Lately for the last few weeks my faith has been attacked and my fears have increased. I feel isolated and scared. Everything around me since my parents' divorce has been out of my control since I was 6 years old, and now that I'm still in that situation of constant noise and stress from my younger brothers etc. Even in the midst of this I have been praying for God to make me complete and mature, as James says, through perseverance and trial. My moods go up and down, mostly down nowadays.

 

[MizDoulos]

Have moved your post to the forum, "For Those Who Struggle." A redirect was left in the Fellowship Court for those who would like to add their support.

 

[fieldmouse3]

Oh, man, the part about feeling like you're being held back from God really hit home with me. This past winter, when I was really trying to make God a priority in my life, I felt like that all the time! The only thing to do is keep praying and mentally telling yourself that you're NOT going to be held back from God. It takes effort; it really does, but it's worth it. Try not to get discouraged if things don't magically get better all at once. For some people (like me), it just takes time.

 

[Auntie]

Hello Alive in Christ,

Sometimes life can be really hard. When I was a teenager, I had one older brother, 2 younger brothers and one younger sister. My parents were divorced, we lived with our mom, all of us in a small 2 bedroom house. Sometimes it was hard to find a place to sleep! And there was no place to call my own, where I could study & do homework in peace and quiet.

The best thing I can tell you is we all survived. We all finished school, we all got married, we all have good jobs and good lives. And now some of us are even grandparents.

But I know it's ruff. Somedays it seemed like life would never get better, but it does get better. A LOT better!

Hold on to your faith, even if it seems to get a bit thin at times. Jesus is with you, I can promise you that, although I know it may not seem like it at times. But He is there with you. Try to find a place where you can have some quiet time, maybe go to a park or something like that. I used to spend a lot of time at my grannies house, it was quiet there. And my granny would give me encouragement.

 

[psycmajor]

Alive In Christ

Your moods going up and down and your feelings of not having control and not being in control sound a lot like me when I don't take my medication. I have Bipolar disorder, by the way.

What is it about your life that you want changed? What goals would you like to set?

 

[Blessed-one]

When one becomes a Christian, one is born again. The past no longer matters, for God has taken it away and forgiven our sins. In Christ, with His strength, we have to put ourselves in His hand and trust in Him. This means walking the Christian road with His help, and on the road, we are often bombarded with obstacles like doubt, and the past keep pulling at us.

This is where God's strenght comes in, where we overcome our fear by holding onto Him. The reality is often bleak and harsh, but it doesn't have to be. God loves us!

Address your problem with shyness, i used the have the same problem and it felt as a hindrance. If only i was more outspoken, if only.... if only.
well, trusting in God does work, for He is my rock and my comforter, and i told myself that i was only one individual among so many, i didn't have to fear them!

 

[BigEd]

Lord,
I raise up alive in Christ in prayer.
I pray that you would guide his steps.
That you would grant him a peace that surpasses all understanding.
I pray that you would strenghten his faith, and chase away his fears.
In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.

 

[endure]

i also struggled with something similair to bipolar i think, very bad anxiety and paranioa.
i was always afriad, of everything, of everyone, and idolised those that had it together.
but i have found peace, and courage, in the word of god and in prayer, and wisdom.
it is wisdom and it is the word, that you have not been given the spirit of fear! but of power! and love, and sound mind!
you must come to a place that you know and beleive, you have no reason to be afriad of anything, listen
FEAR COMES ONLY FROM DECEPTION!
becuase god didnt give you a reason to ever be afriad of anything.
if your ever afraid, its becuase you are decieved into thinking a situation is worse than it really is. if your bound in fear, your really bound by deception.
becuase what is true is god gave us power to overcome all things.
becuase god loves us and will not condemn us.
becuase god has given us sound minds, disciplined minds, minds that understand and are well trained, not decieved so they know they are in no real danger, and will not beleive the report of the enemy.
all these things are found in prayer and found in the word of god if you will but apply yourself to them.
but know, meditate on this untill it fills the very core of your being, pray over it, ask for revelation of it, speak it out of your mouth,
"god has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind"
in all truth, if you could see clearly, your not in any danger, you have no reason to be afriad.
all fear comes from deception.
if your bound in fear, there is a deeper chain, deception.
satan is the father of lies.
if you can ever get a grip on the truth that sets you free, you will whipe him out. dont be deceived.

it is like you are in a room all by yourself, nothings there, but your blind folded and someone has told you that the there is a lion in the room with you, about to eat you. so your afriad for your life.
but really its just a speaker, with a noise.
see, thats the devil for ya.
hes a roaring lion, but hes a liar.
the aint nothing but a roar! hes nothing but a deception.
take the blind fold off, and see, you have not been given a spirit or a reason to ever fear.
what little power the devil has, he gets from willing prey, who beleive they have to cooperate with him.

 

[Alive in Christ]

Endure, did you ever think you had serious mental illness, i.e. like you were going crazy permanently (that's a big fear of mine) I have a lot of fear of loss of control of my mind and many other things for that matter. I am very creative and imaginative, mixed with mood swings, paranoia, and anxiety. But your post has given me hope. Did you ever think or have fears that you'd end up in a mental institution? I hope you know what I'm talking about. Are you through the fear now? I know that if I get through this I can help so many adolescents, so many people. Please all pray for me that reality can be made apparent to me, and that I hopefully have nothing to fear.

thanx

I love you all

 

[endure]

well, it could have easily led to thinking like that, but it would not have been true, and i do not beleive it is true about you. but, no i havent fully walked away from this, but im by no means bound by it brother.
this thing still bites at my ankles and grabs me like a monster trying to consume me, fear.......
but i have to just keep saying it, that i have no reason to be afraid and quoting scripture and casting down bad thoughts. man when this demon gets up in, i have to stab him with my word, and i keep stickin em untill he runs off, but like satan returned to jesus, satan will come back over and over, but like jesus you say "it is written! it is written! and you quote that word!
and eventually youll beat it and satan will not return in that way again.
dont slip into fear man, dont give in, faith is what brings the power of god into your life. fear does the same thing with the devil, if you fear a mental institution, you may very well end up there oneday if you dont fight it. faith is the breeding ground for miracles, fear is the breeding ground for sickness disease death and destruction. faith, the will of god. fear, the will of satan.

i understand, that you did not get in your state in one day, and you will not be totally free tomorrow. but my god you can knock this demon down and eventually stab him enough with the word of god that he dries up and dies! it can happen.

will you do something? if you count me a man of god.....or atleast a trustworthy man.
and i understand thats totally up to you.
but if you could
make a commitment to read psalm 91 every morning, and then pray for god to deliver you, and you command this demon of fear and deception leave you.
it is simply a psalm that tells us gods divine security and protection and power. it is so powerful!
it will only take you 1 or 2 min to read it. and pray over it, speak it over yourself. take it verse by verse, read them over and over untill you realize the truth, read them over and over, and ask god to give it unto you, he said that if you asked anything hed give it!
prayerfully read that psalm every morning untill it fills you and you realise it. untill the word grows in you enough for you get pregnant with the word of god, and birth a faith in god that can wipe this demon out of your life!  read that everymorning, and read other pslams the rest of the day in your free time, you cant waste time reading your bible. if your knew to god, the psalms and proverbs are a powerful way to start!
if will just do that, i will praying for you personally friend.
if you do not do this, i understand but i am really trying to help you.....
but even when it doesnt look like its doing anygood, keep doing it, like you cant see a plant growing with your eyes, you cant see yourself grow, but you can look back and see youve grown, always.
im with ya man.
lee myers.

 

[carmen]

Hi Alive in Christ,

God is so wonderful. He can and will heal you of all your fears, he also will full you with much joy to replace your sorrow, depression etc.

To every man is given a measure of faith. Build on your measure . Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Building your faith you will receive God's beautiful Love. And perfect love casts out all fear. Or as Kenneth Copeland would say change the love for God. because God is Love.
Perfect God casts out all fear.

John 1v1 says In the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God himself.

As you meditate more on the word God will drive out all of your fears.



Galations 5v22 But the fruit of the Holy Spirit the work that his presence within accomplishes is love, joy , peace, patience, forbearance, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.

By this we are told that when we where fulled with the Holy Spirit you received Joy. The Devil trys long and hard with all kinds of trials, circumstances to rob us of our Joy.

If you look up and speak out and meditate on the scriptures of Joy and Love pretty soon that down attitude of defeat with your problems is going to go.

The joy of the Lord is our strength, Looking unto JESUS the author and finsher of our faith who for the Joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.


Alive in Christ I noticed by your post you are a very bright and a good thinker. This is a wonderful attribute

Will be praying for you.