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The General Mental Health Forum is now a Read Only Forum. As we had two large areas making it difficult for many to find, we decided to combine the Mental Health & the Recovery sections of the forum into Mental Health & Recovery as a whole. Physical Health still remains as it's own area within the entire Recovery area.
If you are having struggles, need support in a particular area that you aren't finding a specific recovery area forum, you may find the General Struggles forum a great place to post. Any any that is related to emotions, self-esteem, insomnia, anger, relationship dynamics due to mental health and recovery and other issues that don't fit better in another forum would be examples of topics that might go there.
If you have spiritual issues related to a mental health and recovery issue, please use the Recovery Related Spiritual Advice forum. This forum is designed to be like Christian Advice, only for recovery type of issues. Recovery being like a family in many ways, allows us to support one another together. May you be blessed today and each day.
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Worthless
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Just know that you can always go back to Him, no matter what. He loves you no matter what. He created you, and he just loves you sooo much - you are His child. You are the child of a King!! And he will always accept you with open arms. Christianity isn't about the church or the ministries or how you serve etc - those things are there but wherever there are humans you'll find imperfection and sin and struggle. It's in churches too, and it's outside of churches. It's how humans are - we're imperfect, and we screw up, and sometimes we're down right mean (and just awful - I'm shaking my head right now, thinking about some of things I've done to hurt people). But Christianity is really about your relationship with God. Believing in Him, trusting in Him. All he wants is us - our hearts. He wants us to love him and be in relationship with him. We are His children and He will always love us. If you leave Christianity now, just know that you can always go back to Him. One of the biggest lies of the devil is that you can't go back to God. You can, and God will always forgive you if you ask for forgiveness....
Much love from your sister in Christ...
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Thank you Army wife and stillseeking and everyone who has posted. I guess if I really get to the heart of how I feel I'll make more sense. My friend is part of a ministry that is made up of people who aren't afraid to seek after God. They fast and pray at 5 am and they are always talking of dying in the flesh. I wish I could be like them but I'm coming from a dark place of depression and other destructive feelings toward myself and about life. I can't find the strength to be disciplined like them. I guess I have issues with rejection and abandonment and I'm afraid to pursue anyone including God. I'm not making excuses it's just that from my experience every time I go into this expecting to be more strong and get things correct right away I end up falling down again. It hurts that this all started with me doubting my salvation. My pleas for salvation and help eventually turned into anger and depression. Inside I feel like if getting involved with Christianity opened the door to a depression that's been with me for 2 years why should I even go back? I know it was attacks from the devil that brought me so low but I just can't find the inner strength to fight off the thoughts.
I feel that my emotional baggage is too much for God. God requires action not people sitting down sobbing forever and that's what scares me.im very sensitive and take things hard even things that have not happened to me. I don't know if getting involved with the ministry put pressure on me because my friend was saying I need to eventually commit to one ministry because I still attend my home church. Then fasting and prayer at 5 am and witnessing was all brought up too. I want to see people saved and I want to tell them about salvation but I feel that maybe all this was thrown at me too fast. It worked for my friend. She went through a bootcamp that included fasting, prayer etc, which is good. But I just get too overwhelmed and it causes me to feel like there's no time for me to keep crying I need to take action. I'm just not strong enough though. I wish I could take time to cry on God's shoulder but I can't. Inside I have a longing for human love but in my experience it has let me down. My mom loves me more than anyone except God but even she will get tired of me crying. I don't know what to do. I'm trying to be honest. I feel like there's a well of tears I want to let out but I can't. I'm just very sad
I feel that my emotional baggage is too much for God. God requires action not people sitting down sobbing forever and that's what scares me.im very sensitive and take things hard even things that have not happened to me. I don't know if getting involved with the ministry put pressure on me because my friend was saying I need to eventually commit to one ministry because I still attend my home church. Then fasting and prayer at 5 am and witnessing was all brought up too. I want to see people saved and I want to tell them about salvation but I feel that maybe all this was thrown at me too fast. It worked for my friend. She went through a bootcamp that included fasting, prayer etc, which is good. But I just get too overwhelmed and it causes me to feel like there's no time for me to keep crying I need to take action. I'm just not strong enough though. I wish I could take time to cry on God's shoulder but I can't. Inside I have a longing for human love but in my experience it has let me down. My mom loves me more than anyone except God but even she will get tired of me crying. I don't know what to do. I'm trying to be honest. I feel like there's a well of tears I want to let out but I can't. I'm just very sad
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Even people who "aren't afraid to seek God" have problems.
Just because someone seems to be doing well spiritually doesn't mean they are. Also, God created us for one another, and to be a part of the body of Christ. Each one of us has times where we are down and need other people. We're not to look down upon those who are struggling during those times, but to lift each other up. Then they can do the same for us when we feel down.
You are in a down time and a time of struggling. That doesn't mean you are less "faithful" or less "spiritual" than someone else. It just means you are in a place where you need to sort things out. If that means that you can't pray as often, fast, go to church, or whatever that's OKAY. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It doesn't mean you should be alone, but if you need to break away from some things in order to get through this, that's okay.
Don't beat yourself up for not doing what other people are doing. If someone else was depressed you wouldn't expect them to be involved in all these ministries etc. Don't expect the same thing of yourself.
God works through the weakest of people. He does not require us to be strong. I spent years being alone, being depressed playing video games. I wasn't strong. God still helped me. He will still help you.
I encourage you to keep writing and talk about all of this, it's good to let some of it out.
We're praying for you
Just because someone seems to be doing well spiritually doesn't mean they are. Also, God created us for one another, and to be a part of the body of Christ. Each one of us has times where we are down and need other people. We're not to look down upon those who are struggling during those times, but to lift each other up. Then they can do the same for us when we feel down.
You are in a down time and a time of struggling. That doesn't mean you are less "faithful" or less "spiritual" than someone else. It just means you are in a place where you need to sort things out. If that means that you can't pray as often, fast, go to church, or whatever that's OKAY. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It doesn't mean you should be alone, but if you need to break away from some things in order to get through this, that's okay.
Don't beat yourself up for not doing what other people are doing. If someone else was depressed you wouldn't expect them to be involved in all these ministries etc. Don't expect the same thing of yourself.
God works through the weakest of people. He does not require us to be strong. I spent years being alone, being depressed playing video games. I wasn't strong. God still helped me. He will still help you.
I encourage you to keep writing and talk about all of this, it's good to let some of it out.
We're praying for you
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Thank you, you're right but on the other hand I'm told to get up and go and God will take care of my emotional pain. But it's overwhelming to do so with certain insecurities and hurt inside. I don't know if I should just take time to heal by praying and reading the bible or if actively doing things like fasting, witnessing, etc will work things out
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Start off slow and pray about it. If you do to much all at once it will be overwhelming. We start off baby christians and as God makes us stronger and gives us more wisdom then we do more. Dont compare yourself to others we are all on a journey with the Lord and are at different stages. Remember God is very patient. Praying for you
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I don't think you're in a good place right now to really fast, witnessing etc. If you want to help people out in other ways that's fine. But trying to be super involved in ministry or other groups I think is a bad idea. You'll just get frustrated.
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It is best to let God's grace descend on you first before you go off and begin to do things for Him and for His service.
Drink in His love, let His grace fill you to overflowing, become strong under His care and sure of your salvation before you go out doing things for Him.
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Thank you all for commenting. I realize that pushing God away has left me feeling hopeless. I know the world has no lasting hope or truth for me to find solace in. I'm going to take your wisdom and apply it. I felt afraid and overwhelmed when my friends started speaking of the boot camp and fasting and stuff. I know it worked for them but I don't know if it will for me. One of my friends says she had experienced similar struggles as I have but she did the boot camp and it helped her but I feel safer with the wisdom you all have given about basically being established in God's love. Some people feel that as Christians they must work harder to get closer to Jesus this the fasting they mentioned helps us deny our flesh and Jesus is able to move closer. Others have said that praying and crying out to God has allowed them to experience God's love.
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I'm glad you came to this decision. When we are depressed we have nothing on offer all we can do is live by faith in God's love for us.
I found that faith is the essential ingredient in finding God and getting help from God. If you want to do anything then fight your unbelief, doubt and anger at God.
To do things for God, even praying and crying out to God for help, works best if it flows from a love and desire to be near to God.
To have faith in God's love brings hope alive - bank on that to get you out of your pit - for if you build by 'performance indicators' then you will only be disappointed again.
Honest it is grace alone that gets us on our feet again.
Build with God's promises - He loved you even when you were still a sinner!
So it is by grace that you have been saved - believe that and you will begin to walk away from the negativity of your depression.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFcOeEDgGbE&list=PL6L4GzYwIWmvnKq1N9UByi2Ow1qv1o_eA
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I know how you feel!! I just left a church because it was a boot camp mentality. I personally think that this kind of perspective works wonderfully for some but can be a nightmare for people suffering from depression. The church I left was a great church, but the bootcamp mentality left me feeling guilty all the time, inadequate, and condemned, as if God was disappointed in me for not "stepping up." I joined a new church that teaches a lot more about grace and love. At this new church, the reality of Jesus has really opened up for me! I learned that God loves us no matter what, and that He is with us no matter what. In my case, once I started seeing God for who He really is, which is love, and once I opened up to Him, He just started pouring love into me. It felt like Christmas!! I think that right now I am at a time in my life where God just wants to hold me and heal me. Slowly, sometimes, I feel God wanting me to do something for the Kingdom, like encourage others. But it is different than before. Before I felt like I was just supposed to be doing a bunch of stuff (children's ministry, street evangelize) even though I had no personal desire to do it whatsoever and trying to do it caused severe anxiety and total emotional meltdowns. Now, when I feel God wants me to do something (even if it's just to offer encouragement), there is a true desire in my heart to do it, and I feel so fulfilled to do it. I also no longer feel that God does condemns me if I fail. He loves me no matter what, and when I miss the mark (we all do at times) I just feel that He believes in me. His encouragement and guidance comes from a place of love and knowledge of my potential. It gives me such confidence. I am taking baby steps in this process. I still need a lot of healing, so when I am overwhelmed or frustrated, I let myself take a step back and just give God a chance to hold me and heal me. What He wants more than anything is our heart - that's it. Jesus says (Matthew 11): 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” If you feel that the burden is too heavy, it is not from God. If you feel condemned or guilty, it is not from God. God isn't like that. Of course, He wants us to live a good life and to try as hard as we can to avoid sin, but we are not saved through our own works - we are saved through faith!!
I'll keep praying for you - I know that God hears our prayers, and that He loves you so much. You are His child - He created you, and He loves you as you are. The peace and freedom that comes with that revelation could only be from God. The world does not operate that way at all. People are imperfect and wherever humans get involved in something, you can see the world creeping in (with lies that we're not good enough, that we need to do more to earn God's love, etc etc). Wherever there are people, you'll find an element of the world. Thank God for His grace and mercy!
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It's not fair that people in a weakened state have to muster up enough faith to receive anything. Nothing is fair on this earth and I wish I could just run away from it. I don't care about faith anymore. I'll find a way to survive until I actually I die which I hope is soon.
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I'm glad that you have found a church where you don't feel burdened and condemned. I'm happy that you are receiving the healing you need. Thank you for your prayers.
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You're a beautiful child of God, and that's how He sees you. He loves you, whether you have faith or not. For me, faith isn't really something I muster. It's more like something I collapse into. When I'm trying to muster up faith, it feels like a lot of work, like running uphill in mud, and I get frustrated because I'm not getting anywhere. It seems that I eventually hit the wall and totally collapse in anguish, and at that point I finally surrender everything. It's at that point that God comes in and lifts me up. As I continue to walk with God, I'm getting better at recognizing when I am trying to take control by trying to do things on my own, rather than letting God take control. I am not God, and I can't do anything without Him. I need Him completely - I even need Him to help me with my faith. For me, faith is about completely surrendering to Him, acknowledging that I am hopeless on my own. I need Him for everything. The story of Job is like that. During his trials, he struggled to understand God and doubted His goodness. He wanted to challenge God. Finally Job surrendered and repented, collapsing into His presence, and was at peace. At that point, God restored him completely.
Job 42: 1-6
Then Job answered the LORD and said:
I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
You asked, Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Listen, please, and let me speak; You said,
I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.
Recently, in my life, I have found that I should not be working so hard to find faith. Faith is really a choice (do I believe in Jesus, do I believe in His healing power). We can make the choice to have faith, even if we don't FEEL the faith. Feelings are often misleading. What I really need to DO, rather than mustering faith, is simply collapse into God, turn everything over to Him, acknowledge my utter weakness without Him, and wait for Him to take control of my life. So far, He has taken over every time. And it never seems to be in the way that I would predict. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He has connected me with people, places, healings that I never would have sought out on my own. Collapse into Him and listen for His voice. It is often a still, small voice. For me it feels like it comes from deep within myself, but I know it is Him. Sometimes His voice comes through other people. I think it's important to know that faith is a choice and not a feeling. We don't have to feel like we have faith to declare Jesus as Lord. God is always there with us, but when we try to take control, even by working hard to be a perfect Christian, it's like we're playing God in our own life. It's like we're saying that we can do this stuff on our own - we can generate our own faith, we can live a good, sin-free life on our own. If we could do anything on our own, God would not have needed to send His son. We need Jesus working in us. Don't try to muster anything. Don't work so hard. Jesus said that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Don't fight it. Give in to Him. Just pray, repent, and surrender God's light and love is the only beautiful thing in this world. I see evidence of that goodness in these forums all the time - look at all the love that gets shared here! I'll be praying for you.
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Thank you stillseeking and everyone else who commented. I spoke to the leader of the ministry about how I think it would be best for me to be established in God's love and get to know him before I take on tasks like fasting for nine weeks etc. I told him that with my emotional state that's the best approach for me but he said its not about emotions and that living for Jesus and pursuing him will get rid of other issues like depression, rejection, etc. he was saying how there are people being killed and abused for following Jesus but they still follow him. I told him that those people did not become that strong over night it took time. He started giving examples of how he has spoke to people who said they are overcoming their sins little by little but he told them that its better to be all for Jesus or nothing at all. I told him my situation is not about holding on to sin it's about me being establish in God's love and learning who he is because in my past I tried to be a good Christian without feeling secure in God and I felt alone and unsure of my salvation. I don't want to go down that path again. I'm not trying to hold onto sin I'm just not ready to do all the things this ministry does. For example they believe fasting and praying early in the morning is important. They pray around 5 am because people who do occult rituals are up during that time participating in occult activities. They don't celebrate Christmas either, they believe its pagan. I respect there beliefs but they are much further along in their Christian walk. I feel overwhelmed and stressed out just thinking about being involved. I don't know if I'm trying to take the easy route and being too prideful or if I should just do things the way some of you suggested.
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I disagree with your ministry leader. I don't think he understands what is going on. Depression is a serious mind issue that changes the way in which you think of things. It distorts your view of God, your faith, and your whole reality. Doing "spiritual" things will not cure depression by itself. Those things can help. And yes, God IS key to solving depression but I disagree that doing spiritual ACTIVITIES will solve it. That is the wrong way to go about it. The more you try and become "spiritual" while depressed, the more depressed you will become. Trust me, I tried to do it for years, it does not work. DO NOT let them make you feel guilty for not doing as much as other people. You need time to work on YOU and YOU need the best way to go about that for YOU, not their way.
Having said that, you do need to still be surrounded by people who will love and support you and isolating yourself is a dangerous temptation as well. But I don't agree with that person's advice.
You are not taking the easy route, you're already on the hard route, the things they suggest will make it harder, not easier.
Having said that, you do need to still be surrounded by people who will love and support you and isolating yourself is a dangerous temptation as well. But I don't agree with that person's advice.
You are not taking the easy route, you're already on the hard route, the things they suggest will make it harder, not easier.
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Thank you Kevin you are right. I don't feel burdened and overwhelmed now that I have decided to work on myself but mostly allow God to. Thank you all for being there for me. I also have church friends at my home church that will support me along the way.
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Knw,
you wouldn't be interested in joining me in Mexico this winter would you?
I know I am being selfish. I just want someone to be with. I'm offering a lot.
I find many conflicts between me and the church. and praying opens myself up to demonic attacks. I have even more conflicts with my family and friends.
I'm at home too often.
I've picked up dirty habits every time I go out.
I rely on my computer to numb my senses because watching TV just makes me think even more.
Your not worthless. and If you really want my advice. approach me. I have nothing to do with my life but give advice. ...
you wouldn't be interested in joining me in Mexico this winter would you?
I know I am being selfish. I just want someone to be with. I'm offering a lot.
I find many conflicts between me and the church. and praying opens myself up to demonic attacks. I have even more conflicts with my family and friends.
I'm at home too often.
I've picked up dirty habits every time I go out.
I rely on my computer to numb my senses because watching TV just makes me think even more.
Your not worthless. and If you really want my advice. approach me. I have nothing to do with my life but give advice. ...
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knw,
When I was young, I was bullied a lot and called names. This went on for literally years. By the time I was around 14 I was close to being suicidal. I hated myself. But, when I became a christian I realize that God made me and he thought me valuable enough to send his son to die for me. He wanted to have a relationship with me that bad. So, I thought if God thinks that much of me I must not really be worthless. Because he made me and he thinks I am highly valued. So, whoelse's opinion matters more than an all knowing, all powerful, ever present God and creator?
When I was young, I was bullied a lot and called names. This went on for literally years. By the time I was around 14 I was close to being suicidal. I hated myself. But, when I became a christian I realize that God made me and he thought me valuable enough to send his son to die for me. He wanted to have a relationship with me that bad. So, I thought if God thinks that much of me I must not really be worthless. Because he made me and he thinks I am highly valued. So, whoelse's opinion matters more than an all knowing, all powerful, ever present God and creator?
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Hello, thanks for the offer but I don't have any money for a trip right now. Thank you for your encouragement. I'm sorry that your church and family isn't supportive. Why does praying open you up to demonic attacks? Jesus is your hope and peace so you should keep talking to him. I know it's easy for me to say but don't numb your feelings through computer use. Don't numb your feelings at at all, instead open your heart to God and let him heal you. Can you find another church attend? Do you have any Christian friends you could hang out with?
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