Depressed very depressed

[dpg3]

monkeys thanks so much for your thoughtful words. I really like this quote from your profile, "Next time you think you're perfect, try walking on water"
It made me smile, so thanks for that!!!
I hope everything is well with you and you along with everyone else here have given me some excellent suggestions and food for thought and prayer.

Chad thanks for your kind and thoughtful comments. After again reading all these comments by the people here I was touched by their sincerity, compassion and helpfulness. I have a very long way to go but I am encouraged by the responses here and will come back here to read them for encouragement.

 

[Maureen]

Oh I really liked that too 'next time you think your perfect try walking on water' made me laugh.

What are your thoughts anyone of seeking help from a psychiatrist, I know God gave our doctors and nurses the ability to help us and I feel as if we should use that God given gift.

Would be interested in your thoughts. I am attending one, and have been sent back to the Day Hospital as an out patient, I'm not sure about attending this, I did years ago, and didn't like it so left.

Just hitting a bad spell, would love someone to confide in.

I do bring it in prayer, but lately it's not helping.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

As long as we have brought the situation to God first I think it can be of benefit to see these qualified people sometimes as God does use them to help us too.

It would be good if the psychiatrist was a born again Christian.

I had counselling some years ago with a Christian counsellor and it was very helpful.

God bless you sister :rainbow: :rose:

 

[calluna]

So glad you are still returning here dpg3 for encouragement and support. I think the suggestion of a Christian counsellor is something worth considering, and as also said, take your woes to God first, as Jesus is the ultimate Healer.

I am so sorry that you hate your job so much, I can understand that can definitely be depressing. You can talk to God about your job, just because you have been a bit distant from the Lord and are not serving Him, it's ok, He's waiting for you to talk to Him, He probably misses you terribly. If we are a child of God, we can ask Him for anything. We can go boldly to the throne of Grace, and pour out our hearts to Him.
And as for the unbelieving crowd at your work, yes I can imagine too that can be depressing and difficult at times, this is why it is important to put the armour of God on, to protect our hearts and minds with the Word. We are to be prepared for the enemy. We also can be a shining light in these dark places, and changes can occur.

I will pray for your mum, that also cannot be easy for you either. But by your concern for your mum, you do still have faith. You have more faith than you might think. Don't be so hard on yourself. God does not condemn you, He is for you, not against you. Begin to trust Him with all your life.

Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight"

We all love you, I don't like to see a brother or sister in Christ not living the abundant life He promises us. John 10:10 We have to pursue God, and claim all the promises he gives us in His word. Believe the Word, Trust the Word and apply it to our everyday lives. It takes practice, it takes diligence, it takes time, it takes surrendering our whole will to God's will, but a joyful, peace loving, full life can be ours.
I believe this for my life too, I want peace so much, I am going after it, I want joy in my life, so I am going after it. I too use to be quite depressed and thought my life was not worth living. But I no longer want to give satan the satisfaction of dragging me down into the pits of despair.

My Jesus, My saviour didn't suffer on that cross for me, so I can be a pitiful, miserable Christian, He doesn't want that for any of us.

I will pray for you and your mum

:girl_hug:
Calluna

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Re: Depressed, very depressed.

dpg3: I suggest that you contact that "single dad" you spoke of. It just may be that he needs some fellowship from another man. It might benefit both of you.

Also, I'd like to suggest a recently released book on the subject of unanswered prayer that I think will help you deal with your issues. Its title is "God on Mute - engaging the language of unanswered prayer." The author is Pete Grieg, an Englishman who has a degree in theology and is currently dealing with a big unanswered prayer issue in his life. The publisher is Regal Books. Its available online. I got mine from Family Christian Stores(familychristian.com).

It appears, from what you have written, that you are a gregarious type of person, a "people person". I have no psycoanalytical training or skills; I'm just going with gut instinct here. If I followed you most recent post correctly, you moved from a large metropolitan area to a rather sparsely populated province in eastern Canada, the entire population of which probably does not equal the population of the metro area you came from. Not only are there fewer people where you now live, but the culture of the area is entirely different from what you are used to as well. In other words, you are suffering from culture shock; you are the proverbial square peg trying to fit into a round hole.

You spoke of two churches; a nearby "boring" church and one more difficult to get to where you are more comfortable. May I suggest that you put your spiritual well being ahead of your convenience and plug into the church where you feel more comfortable?

Though our circumstances are quite different, we have something in common. I am seventy years old and I,too, spent a good deal of my life feeling like a square peg in a round hole. But, in his grace, when the time was right, God rescued me and "set my feet upon a rock" (Ps 40:2). I think he wants to do that for you also.

SLE

 

[Maureen]

SpiritLedEd
'Square peg in a round hole' what a great description

I could be that square peg also.

What keeps me going to my, and I hate to call it boring, I'll say more monotonous than boring,
is that my unsaved husband likes it and has only recently started to attend.

I know if I were to go else where he'd not go, then he wouldn't hear God's word at all.

Plus bacause I've been going there well over a year and know the whole 20 congration so well, I feel I couldn't leave them.

I don't even know if it's God's will for me to change or is it just my own.

Sorry to butt in like this but just what you said, made me stop and think
selah.

 

[Lucky Lady]

Hie dpg3,

Its my hope that you are already on your way to recovery.However allow me to add on to what you have been told.

It does not pay to fight God,be reconciled to him and he will show great and mighty things you have never thought of.

When you say it is now too late for you and you will never get get married you curse yourself,revoke that please coz it will only have diverse effects in your life.Start speaking positive things to yourself,do not let yourself speak to you,see yourself the way God sees you,special and important.

There is a saying in Africa that men never grow old.To some extent this is true ,it is easier to get a spouse when you are an old man (and this applies everywhere),than when you are a woman.Don't let the devil deceive you that it is too late for you.It is never too late to do what you should have done,for as long as you are alive.
Ecclesiates 9:4 There is hope for the living

Get into the internet and ask God to guide you to the right woman,there are even Christian match making agencies.You will be surprised how eligible you are.

Do not put God at ransom,do not accuse him of not repaying you back for what you did.Did you ask him for these things or you just expected him to do certain things?

Lastly come to Africa,there are some sobering experiences here,there is no time to get bored, surviving it self is a job,and there are challenges everyday.(by the way i love my country)

God bless you.

 

[dpg3]

Thanks to each one of you for replying.
Maureen I went to a Christian counselor a few times and to a secular one about 5 times. While the secular counselor was very good I found I could only go so far with him, because we didn't have faith in common we were approaching my problems from two very different perspectives. Even though I only went to the Christian counselors a few times, I did feel that shared connection of faith. So I guess I would say it's fine to see a psychiatrist but if possible, I think a Christian would better understand you from a faith perspective!!! I think if no Christian psychiatrist was available in your area a secular one might be fine just have to check them out to see if they can relate to you.
I'm certainly no authority on this subject and am curious what advice that others here might give.

 

[dpg3]

Lucky Lady I was just on the Iris Ministries site they minister to the poor in Southern Africa. I first saw someone from their ministries talking on TV and was very impressed with how God was using them. It felt like "real" ministry to me. I find so many churches in Canada just go through the motions of being a real ministry. That doesn't give me a pass to sit on the sidelines but when I read of what the Iris Ministries are doing in Africa that excites me.

My Mom is in a nursing home in the city where I live and I can't ever see leaving here while she is there. Visiting her is the only decent thing I do at the moment. So not because of my Mom but for other reasons I feel trapped in this city. I guess I need peoples prayers so that I can see my purpose for being here. The Iris people say you have to see the face of Jesus and to fall completely in love with Him. I'm not sure how to do that.
Lucky Lady if it be God's will I'd love to go to Africa. I think Canada where I live is so affluent that they don't think they need God. Now that's just generally speaking cause I know some do but not like in Africa. But I'm so far away from God right now, I don't think I'll be going any where.

I just remebered about a month ago I had a dream that I found a wife at church. In my whole life I have never had a dream like that. So perhaps there is hope!!!

 

[dpg3]

SLE the funny thing is that I grew up in the region I'm now living in but spent a lot of my adult life living elsewhere. Two years in Germany when I was younger in the Army, three years away at Bible college and then seven years in Toronto. My first five years home were busy doing various types of ministry which eventually burned me out and to a large degree led to the erosion of my faith.

Five years ago I left my home town and moved to another city. It is here where I really feel like a fish out of water. I still long for Toronto and I tell people all the time the only thing holding me here is my Mom. I rarely attend church any more and truly hate my job and feel "lost" in this city. My faith is shattered and I feel hopeless. I did call that single dad but we still haven't sat down for a coffee yet.

I even had a pastor friend of mine from my hometown try to get me to come back and help him with his pioneer church. But I know it's not God's will.
I very tired now and have to go to bed. Please keep me in prayer so that some day I might serve God again. At the moment this board is about the only place I have to turn to for help and I think that is really sad!! Not that the great people her are "sad" but that I have no one else to share with.
Thanks to all of you for your concern and prayers!!!!!!!!

calluna I really like this quote, thanks for your very kind words, they are so appreciated. "God can mightily use Christians who stay cool in a hot place, sweet in a sour place, big in a crushing place, and little in a big place." - J.C. Brumfield
The quote makes me think of my job!!

 

[ladylovesJesus]

Hey dpg

Here is a Psalm to read while you are depressed.

Psalm 27
A David Psalm
1 Light, space, zest— that's God!
So, with him on my side I'm fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.

2 When vandal hordes ride down
ready to eat me alive,
Those bullies and toughs
fall flat on their faces.

3 When besieged,
I'm calm as a baby.
When all hell breaks loose,
I'm collected and cool.

4 I'm asking God for one thing,
only one thing:
To live with him in his house
my whole life long.
I'll contemplate his beauty;
I'll study at his feet.

5 That's the only quiet, secure place
in a noisy world,
The perfect getaway,
far from the buzz of traffic.

6 God holds me head and shoulders
above all who try to pull me down.
I'm headed for his place to offer anthems
that will raise the roof!
Already I'm singing God-songs;
I'm making music to God.

7-9 Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs:
"Be good to me! Answer me!"
When my heart whispered, "Seek God,"
my whole being replied,
"I'm seeking him!"
Don't hide from me now!

9-10 You've always been right there for me;
don't turn your back on me now.
Don't throw me out, don't abandon me;
you've always kept the door open.
My father and mother walked out and left me,
but God took me in.

11-12 Point me down your highway, God;
direct me along a well-lighted street;
show my enemies whose side you're on.
Don't throw me to the dogs,
those liars who are out to get me,
filling the air with their threats.

13-14 I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness
in the exuberant earth.
Stay with God!
Take heart. Don't quit.
I'll say it again:
Stay with God.

God gave us free will. We make choices every day and we can choose to be happy or sad.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you. Matt.6.33.

Here is a Psalm for when you feel down and out. I was looking for hopeless because no one is hopeless with God in our hearts.

Romans 8
29-30God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.

31-39So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Do not let the enemy steal your joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Neh.8.10

The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they might have life and life abundantly. John 10.10

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[Maureen]

dpg3
Dont know if this will do anything for you but sometimes
it's good to know that your not your lone in a situation.

My friend whose also a Christian lady, is on her own,
she has never had anyone else in her life but she
has the most important person too, Jesus.

She is in her thirties, late one's I'd say,
and seems quite content to be like that,
sometimes I do admire her, (can't say envy)
as she is her own boss, can come and go when she likes,
goes to as many meetings as she wants,
every night in the week if she wanted to.

It's those kind of things I think she
has make her at an advantage, plus in scripture
it tells us that if we are on our own that that
is good because our first love will most definatly be the Lord Jesus.

1 CORINTHIANS 7 32 - 35
32But I would have you without carefulness.
He that is unmarried careth for the things
that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33But he that is married careth for the
things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34There is difference also between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord,
that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35And this I speak for your own profit;
not that I may cast a snare upon you,
but for that which is comely, and that
ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

I pray if it be the Lord's will for you dear brother that you will find your perfect person.

It's like us all 'Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength,
they will mount up on wings as eagles'

Thank you for your reply about a Christian counsellor,
I don't think the place I attend have any,
I know what you mean about only so far you can go
with a secular one, I've had this problem also with them.

This week we started a project called 'The Tree of Life'
imagine how apt is that, and we're making
one side the Darkness and the other side the Light
well that really spoke to me about my spirituality,
Jesus the light of the world and satan the darkeness,
although I felt I couldn't share it as
I was out numbered in the group and it was the first day,
but Godwilling next week when we continue on it,
I want to ask if I can draw in the light section, a cross, a crown of thorns above it and a lamb on it, that surely will speak.

I do believe it's God's leading because how apt was that picture?

Well I do also pray you will receive answered prayers dpg3
and our Lord will have his hand upon your life in such a way as to reveal something of himself to you. Amen

 

[dorothyday]

Sorry for the ramble just where I'm at right now.
Miserable, mad and very bitter towards God, Church. No hopes for the future I have thoughts of suicide, although it's more the depression than I'd actually do it. My health is not the best either, nothing serious just the little aches that drive one crazy.
I like being around people and am extroverted to say the least. That is just covering up tons of insecurities I have.
Like many asking for help here, in my heart I feel hopeless!!!

Brother dpg3,

you are loved, and you are never alone. Never alone!

Those of us who are lucky enough to follow Christ where He went--to the scourging post, the crown of thorns, to the Cross (my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?!?)--we understand what it means to suffer.

And we believe God when He tells us that in order for us to become like Him, we must ourselves pick up our crosses and follow Him. We must be "beaten, and spat upon, and whipped and humiliated" just as He was; we participate in His humiliations and seeming failure in order to participate in His Glorious Resurrection!! And along the way, how many Simons of Cyrene does He send us?

Catherine of Siena said, "all the way to heaven is heaven, because He said, 'I Am the way.' " Suffering is a part of life, and Christ suffered, so something tells me that suffering properly--accepting these crosses He sends us, and the Simons of Cyrene too!--is sharing in God's immanant life, in which we find eternal Resurrection.

May I offer this prayer on your behalf, dear brother in Christ's Holy Wounds?

Eternal Father, I offer you on behalf of my Canadian brother, the Body and the Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for my sins, and those of the whole world.

For the sake of His Glorious Passion, have Mercy on us, and on the whole world!

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy on us, and on the whole world!

 

[SpiritLedEd]

dpg3: Just a couple of thoughts regarding your emotional situation -

You've talked about going to counseling in the past, but you stopped after a few sessions. I suggest that you find a counselor you trust, be honest with him/her, and quit quitting. Stick with it until the miracle happens.

Secondly, if there are no Christian counselors in business where you live, do an on-line search. Google lists a number of on-line Christian counseling agencies. Check them out carefully, to be sure, but do check them out.

SLE