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What do I do?

circa02

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I have an online friend in the Philippines, and while I really like her, her life is so depressing ALL the time, I kinda wish I hadn't met her in the first place. I think I'm the only one who cares for her, and I'm definitely her only friend; I can't just stop talking to her, but she's really making my heart sick with sadness. I don't know what to do. Please advise.
 

Razare

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Command the devil of depression off her life in the name of Jesus. She's your friend, you can take authority over the devil and remove him from her life. If the depression is being caused by legitimate bad things happening and not a mindset, then rebuke the devil which is causing destruction, but it sounds like a mindset problem... a mindset problem is easier to rebuke off of her life, because all it is, is devil showing up to slip her depressing thoughts. The word will bind him so he can't do that.

You're involved enough that it's making you sad so it means you get authority to some degree. If the devil wants to move in on you in the situation through her, then the devil lost if you know what you're doing.
 
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com7fy8

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Along with how David handled his problem, in 1 Samuel 31, is what happened with Paul > 2 Corinthians 12:7-15. Paul had that "thorn in the flesh" "messenger of Satan", but he could not make that demon go away. Why? Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Possibly, Jesus was not going to just grant Paul a miracle of convenience. Paul needed to get strong in Jesus so Satan and his stuff could not get the better of Paul. Once Paul had a little talk with Jesus, then was when Paul could take "pleasure" in his troubles, he says in 2 Corinthians 12:7-15. So, @circa02 I would say she needs to mainly get real and strong in Jesus so things can't get to her. And as she seeks God first, she will discover how He works things better than she can hope > Ephesians 3:19-21.

And you need to get strong in Jesus so her things can't get to you; you need to do what she needs to do :)
 
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longwait

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Well, what can I say? You will be richly rewarded by God for being there for someone who was hurting. Behold, I am coming quickly and my reward is with me. I will give to everyone according to what he has done Rev 22:12. Mourn with those who mourn and carry each other's burdens. Thats what the scripture says. I know it must be hard for you sometimes. Ask and pray
for strength to be there for your friend and pray that your friend will be set free from whatever is troubling her.
 
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JAM2b

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While it is important to be there for her, you can't allow her to take you down with her. Maybe limit the amount of time you spend talking to her. Or only do it at certain time frames. You have to know your limits and set boundaries.
 
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com7fy8

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I had an Internet lady friend in Manila. She wanted to come to the United States. But there are people in the Philippines whom Jesus wants us to reach. And she is already there and helped me learn compassion. She did talk about caring for people there. So, I offered her that she can help people there. And by going through what they go through and learning how to go through things with God, she could help others to live with God, in spite of how things might be, there.

Jesus Himself has done this > Jesus has gone through things we go through in this life, so now Jesus can feel for us and help us with the grace which had Him succeeding in loving and doing good while on this earth, and in spite of all the evil which acted against Jesus >

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

So, like how Jesus has done this as our High Priest, we also can use things we go through to help us feel for others and help them with how God's grace has made us able to do well in any and all things we go through.
 
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Mudinyeri

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It's both of our assessments.

I'm sure life in the Philippines can be quite depressing. Poverty is rampant. Living conditions - especially relative to those in the U.S. - can be quite awful.

If you truly are this woman's only friend, what are you doing for her - other than praying - to help her with her depressing circumstances?
 
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com7fy8

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You can send her things; but my friend said there is a major problem with postal theft. But there is a service which will deliver a package to her doorstep, of a limit of 55 pounds, I think she said. You can put anything up to 55 pounds in it and it gets there with nothing taken out, she said.

What does she do? My lady friend has been a certified Philippine RN and had a Philippine pharmacist's license. She said there were people who said they would pay her just to be associated with their drug store, so they could use her license to operate, and she did not have to work there. But she made sure she works in the place which uses her license, and she makes sure she tells customers the most financially helpful drugs to use so the poor can get the most for their money.

So, even though she could have things hard there, she is using her situation for compassion for others. And she understands she is a witness for Jesus.

So, I consider how your friend needs to first be strong in Jesus and compassion, so she is busy with loving and so things around her of this evil world can not have power to decide how she is.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

Now, would I be good like this, if I were in much harder times? I pray and trust God to have me ready for whatever He knows is coming.
 
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