depression

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Natashalee

Guest
#1
#1
do u think its difficult to over come depression?????????? my best friend is suffering that kind of thing...and is aman of GOD but he always wana give up....his faith is nt strng enough..and i do pray for him evrytime but am also sme times getting tired and i dnt knw what to do help him...becoz is realy suffering...he talks about death....u knw.....but all i keep saying to him have faith and trust in GOD will help u..........GOD knws evrthing that is going on in your life just dnt give up.........but no change yet.........i just wish i can help....becoz i feel so bad seeing like this.
 
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dashadow

Guest
#2
#2
I think all of us have things we might struggle with, some much more so than others. Generally, when we open up about the challenges we face, people tend to make us feel our faith is weak. That may be the case, or it could be a trial or tribulation that allows us to become closer to God or testify to His Glory. Only God knows.

I often want or try to reach out and help others. But sometimes the person I reach out to is not receptive. I try not to take it personally. It could be I'm not the one to help them along or it's not time for them to get beyond this trial. Only God knows.

That's why it's so important to keep our focus on God in good times and bad, exercising our faith to be able to stand with God's power with us during the challenges we shall surely face. And that is why I'm on a mission to surround myself with others who desire the same. So that we might lift each other up as we glorify God.
 
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dashadow

Guest
#3
#3
Praying for you and your friend. God Bless!
 
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SeatBelt

Guest
#4
#4
the difficulty in overcoming depression is directly related to the nature/cause of the depression. Ultimately the one thing that will have the greatest impact on your friend's depression will be them Choosing to not be depressed and then taking whatever necessary steps that path entails.
 
ijustwanttheTruth

ijustwanttheTruth

Senior Member
#5
Sep 28, 2011
823
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#5
i struggle with depression. big time. but recently i started exercising every day and it has really improved my mood for the most part. tell your friend to start doing some things that are good for him. but know that ultimately you are not responsible to carry him, even though you might want to.

my friends know they cant carry me when i'm in a pit of depression. they can only try to let me know i'm not alone in my suffering.
 
AAAPlus

AAAPlus

Senior Member
#6
Aug 2, 2011
601
10
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#6
You're not alone. Many well-known men and women of God struggle or have struggled with depression. Charles Spurgeon, Mother Theresa, Martin Luther, even Moses, Elijah, Job, and Jeremiah. God can still do great things with you, and I bet He plans to!

Source: Christians Emotional Problems
 
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Dellboy100

Guest
#7
#7
I have battled with depression all my life. I have a social anxiety disorder which I am coping with, in the main, still can't hadle anywhere too busy, but to compound the issue I am now also phsyically disabled and use a wheel chair if I have to walk any distance. I also have a combination of conditions that all contribute to everything else, being big doesn't help either.

But I have come to learn, and am preaching on this very this this morning, that depression is the work of the enemy. He likes to get in there and undermine all the positives about being a Christian. He makes us doubt, makes us feel worthless, makes us dwell on passed worngs we have done and generally wants us to think we are failing as Christians, letting both God and ourselves down.

The way to combat this is to Claim the promises of Christ and through prayer. I am sure most, if not all of us, have had times when we feel like our prayers aren't getting passed the ceiling, but the act of prayer itself connects us to the Father via the Spirit, and is good for us weather we feel it or not.
 
leelee

leelee

Senior Member
#8
Sep 5, 2011
1,258
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38
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#8
I am going to say something that will probably be unpopular. Depression is not a state of mind. It is an illness. I am afraid that choosing not to be depressed is not enough. Absolutely trust is God to help you but seeking psychiatric help is the best way to deal with it. That may be medication for a while combined with counselling. There are christian psychiatrists and counsellors. God has the power to heal but He gave us Drs and jelped us to make medicines. We should use the resources that He has given us.
 
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Theophane

Guest
#9
#9
Natashalee, I can tell you from direct experience that depression is an assault on the mind, body, and soul. A person who is physiologically predisposed to depression (and takes medication for it) can struggle with it their entire life. You've heard of a thorn in the flesh? Well, depression is a thorn in the soul.
 
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Topaz1988

Junior Member
#10
Feb 19, 2018
33
19
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#10
dashadow said:
I think all of us have things we might struggle with, some much more so than others. Generally, when we open up about the challenges we face, people tend to make us feel our faith is weak. That may be the case, or it could be a trial or tribulation that allows us to become closer to God or testify to His Glory. Only God knows.

Depression is certainly hard to deal with -- and those who don't understand say things like "Lean on God", "Trust God" etc. I've been saved several years, and been dealing with depression and other mental issues for about twenty of them. I do trust God, but that does not take away my feelings or the issues I deal with. When I first started having my mental difficulties, people in the church told me, "Oh, you're just having a case of the blues" which did not help in the least. I was blessed to have a pastor with a counselling degree, but not all people are that blessed.

If you think you are having a problem with depression, I would speak to a doctor or counsellor about it. There is no sin in that.
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Topaz1988

Junior Member
#11
Feb 19, 2018
33
19
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#11
I completely agree, leelee. I have dealt with depression and other mental issues for years, and have seen doctors and taken several medications over the years. God did indeed give us doctors and medications, and people who have not experienced not being able to control one's thoughts or a deep hatred for oneself as I have, can say things like "Oh, just don't think about it" or "Trust God." I DO trust God--I would not be here if it were not for Him--and He is the one that has brought me through all the suicidal thoughts and things that I have experienced over the years. However, people who have never experienced these things just say "Trust God" and think that is a cure-all. It is not. As you said, we should use the rescources He has given us !
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#12
Jun 30, 2015
24,688
13,377
113
#12
Topaz1988 said:
I completely agree, leelee. I have dealt with depression and other mental issues for years, and have seen doctors and taken several medications over the years. ...
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Welcome, Topaz :)

A quick word to the new... you can see the date of the last post in the upper-left corner. You are responding to posts made almost five years ago, by people who probably won't see your response. There's nothing wrong in that, though the term "zombie thread" might be tossed out. Most of us make a few goofs as we get used to how this place works... I certainly did. If you respond to threads on the first three or four pages, you're probably safe.

Glad to have you aboard. You've already found the best forum on the site.
 
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work_jt

Junior Member
#13
Feb 24, 2018
2
2
0
#13
Topaz1988 said:
I completely agree, leelee. I have dealt with depression and other mental issues for years, and have seen doctors and taken several medications over the years. God did indeed give us doctors and medications, and people who have not experienced not being able to control one's thoughts or a deep hatred for oneself as I have, can say things like "Oh, just don't think about it" or "Trust God." I DO trust God--I would not be here if it were not for Him--and He is the one that has brought me through all the suicidal thoughts and things that I have experienced over the years. However, people who have never experienced these things just say "Trust God" and think that is a cure-all. It is not. As you said, we should use the rescources He has given us !
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Good morning Topaz and Dino246,
I have to say in my opinion it is a fantastic situation that we have a place to find inspiration and support.
Topaz sorry to hear that you have had to endure challenges with depression. Furthmore that it appears the church support seemed to be lacking the encouragement and guidance outlined in God's word. I am excited and encouraged that you are seeking God. Futhermore it is wonderful that you are willing to reach out and help others with your life experiences and Christian faith. Helping others with your testimony is wonderful. Shows the desire of God's heart.
Dino246, thanks for the insight it is incredible how God can use something old and have it replenish the heart's today. So cool.
I pray you are both blessed beyond your wildest dreams and the Lord continues to work through each of you.
Be blessed
 
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