Unanswered Prayers

[anewday]

Hello all . I haven't been on here in awhile since my depression has been better, more tolerable, but this past week has been pretty bad. We recently talked about unanswered prayers in Bible study. How do you deal with this??? Several years ago I had everything going for me, then had a breakdown, lost many things and people, and I've been struggling with anxiety and especially depression ever since. I can't get close to people, especially men, since I don't think I can stand having my heart broken the way it did ever again. I'm about to graduate from college, but I've been indifferent about everything lately. I've prayed to God for the past few years to help me overcome the depression, but my faith has dwindled for over 4 years now, since I've asked Him almost daily and I wake up almost every day with a weight on my heart . I've made many lifestyle changes, have sought therapy, meds, changed my diet and exercise more, and yet still feel like something is missing or I'm not doing enough. I want to be happy again, someday married with kids, but I'm afraid to be happy since the last time I was happy I lost everything that made me happy. I guess I'm just looking for encouragement and how others cope in similar situations . Thanks.

 

[drjean]

(((anewday)))) Battling clinical depression is a journey that one must be consistent and work at. As long as you are on the right path, don't worry about how long it is taking...keep going.

CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) does work. It helps us learn to talk to ourselves better, rather than speak the doom and gloom that depression tells us. Depression lies, so whenever you think something negative (and that often begins with "I'll never.." "I always..." etc) then counter it and stop the thought. They are just lies.

College is a big stressor and I'm proud of you for persevering. If you got through it with depression you are tougher than you imagine! I would hope that while it's obvious you were quite hurt by a former relationship, God has better for you in the future. You don't have to rush into another, in fact, there is plenty of time (GOD is always right on time, so don't worry) and you need not concern yourself with that at all. Seek to make friends, and while I'm sure you will stay overly guarded, you'll do well with lots of friends for life and eventually you'll come to realize what it is God wants for you in this relationship area. (I won't go into all the cliche's... but many of them are probably true. )

Try taking the focus off of yourself and your failings (as if college graduation wouldn't be enough to do that! Congrats again!) Focus on God and His love and His goals for you... to fellowship with Him and worship Him. The rest will fall into place.

 

[loved33]

It's hard to go through losses - I hear you .

You sound like you have really taken control and found things that support you though - and that is very encouraging.

Jesus says that love works like this -

love God with whole heart

love yourself

and then in the same way and measure you love yourself - love others .


Although you lost somethings that were so very dear - one thing about being in Christ is that He works on the premise or pattern of 'death' and then 'resurrection'.


I wonder - did the big losses lead you to a greater revelation and experience of God's love, which then turned you into someone who loves herself moreso ?


In which case - you will have been readied for 'better' - or 'greater' - if there's ever something dies in the Christ life - it's always because the 'resurrection' or 'new life' will be greater and more qualitative.

You sound like you are engaged with God in processes - you sound committed to you and to Him .


That is a truly fantastic place to be.


From this position, you loving heavenly Father - can show you who will be 'good' for you - He will guide you.


Hard times have a way of making us see God clearer - because WE NEED HIM TO BE GOD , WHEN IT'S TOUGH !!

God never wants His kids to hurt - no parent does - but I remember a friend of mine - her mum broke her collar bone - accidentally - whilst pushing her out of teh way of an oncoming car.

The parent didn't want a terrible thing to happen to the child - so pushed her to safety - the child was hurt by the ordeal of being saved - but it was better than being wiped out.


I share that , just to share it.



God loves you and is for you and wants the best for you .

 

[Revived]

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." // Luke 22:39-42

Of course, the cup was not taken from Jesus. The very next day, He was crucified. The disciples no doubt thought that their prayers had gone unanswered and they could see no possible good coming from the crucifixion, yet this event gave us eternal life through His name.

All Christians go through times when it seems like their prayers are not answered. However, if you pray with the right motives yet receive no answer, it doesn't mean that God is ignoring you. He might be answering in a way you never expected.

One of the biggest reasons why Christians give up on prayer is because they feel that their prayers are not getting answered or that God does not care about them. This feeling of helplessness is even more pronounced when we're going through a life crisis and cannot seem to find answers. The truth is that we don't know what lies ahead like God knows what lies ahead. What seems to be an unanswered prayer can actually be God's perfect plan for us. Also, we need to remember that God is primarily process-oriented, not product-oriented. In John 15, Jesus tells us that in order to bear fruit, it is the abiding that is the process. Our natural inclination at times is to focus on the fruit. We read books, listen to messages (and other people) on better fruit bearing ... but what we need is better abiding (patience, perseverance, continued obedience). When we improve the process (abiding and trusting the Word) the fruit (freedom from ____, ____, etc.) will come naturally.

Take Job in the Old Testament for instance. If anyone had what seemed to be an unanswered prayer, it was Job. Yet Job was put to the test and he passed it and in the end pleased God so much so that he was rewarded greatly for it. In fact, in Job 42:12 it says that, "The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first."

Then there was Elijah. God was faithful to bring down fire from heaven in response to his prayer. Yet a short time later his prayer to God was to take his life as Jezebel was after him (1 Kings 19). God knew what Elijah needed, and it was rest. So God sent an angel to minister to Elijah, feed him, and make sure he got some rest. Elijah prayed for God's deliverance and it came but not in the way Elijah was asking for it.

Here's more from a devotional I read a couple weeks ago. Maybe you can relate ...

Do you seek great things for yourself? // Jeremiah 45:5

Are you seeking great things for yourself, instead of seeking to be a great person? God wants you to be in a much closer relationship with Himself than simply receiving His gifts— He wants you to get to know Him. Even some large thing we want is only incidental; it comes and it goes. But God never gives us anything incidental. There is nothing easier than getting into the right relationship with God, unless it is not God you seek, but only what He can give you.

If you have only come as far as asking God for things, you have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means. You have become a Christian based on your own terms. You protest, saying, “I asked God for the Holy Spirit, but He didn’t give me the rest and the peace I expected.” And instantly God puts His finger on the reason-you are not seeking the Lord at all; you are seeking something for yourself. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you . . .” (Matthew 7:7). Ask God for what you want and do not be concerned about asking for the wrong thing, because as you draw ever closer to Him, you will cease asking for things altogether. “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). Then why should you ask? So that you may get to know Him.

Are you seeking great things for yourself? Have you said, “Oh, Lord, completely fill me with your Holy Spirit”? If God does not, it is because you are not totally surrendered to Him; there is something you still refuse to do. Are you prepared to ask yourself what it is you want from God and why you want it? God always ignores your present level of completeness in favor of your ultimate future completeness. He is not concerned about making you blessed and happy right now, but He’s continually working out His ultimate perfection for you— “. . . that they may be one just as We are one . . .” (John 17:22).

 

[SplendidTree]

I really cannot say anything because everyone has already covered it so well! I am praying for you, precious sister.

 

[Criada]

Praying for you too.

 

[Krissy Cakes]

Prayers are being lifted above!

God Bless you!

 

[anewday]

Thank you . Its been a better week .

 

[Revived]

Good