This is my first day actually using this sight, so I don't know exactly where to post this.
All I want to say is to please be considerate when you respond to someone's problem.
Long story short, every several months or so, I become extremely depressed about our situation. We've been spinning our tires for years with so much prayer and effort put into improving it, but nothing changes.
In my incredibly depressed state, I went here for help.
I described my situation as briefly as I could, and, in a nutshell, my replies were:
"You're being selfish."
"It's not that bad."
"My situation is worse than yours."
I didn't read past this because my eyes were already full of tears, and I don't care to read the rest now.
I just want to say that this is never how you should respond to someone who is depressed.
I came here looking for Jesus. He never said,"Others have it worse than you," or, "Look at all the nice stuff you have," or, "You're not good enough." When there was a need, He met it. All I needed was a shoulder to cry on.
If I was suicidal, these comments could have driven me over the edge.
Don't assume anything about someone's character or Christian walk. People don't come here to be judged. Let God judge them. While they are on this Earth, be a comforter. Be Christ to someone.
A simple "I'll pray for you," or, "That sounds rough," would have gone a long way.
I know you specifically didn't reply anything rude, but just remember that people are human. Sometimes we need a little help.
All I want to say is to please be considerate when you respond to someone's problem.
Long story short, every several months or so, I become extremely depressed about our situation. We've been spinning our tires for years with so much prayer and effort put into improving it, but nothing changes.
In my incredibly depressed state, I went here for help.
I described my situation as briefly as I could, and, in a nutshell, my replies were:
"You're being selfish."
"It's not that bad."
"My situation is worse than yours."
I didn't read past this because my eyes were already full of tears, and I don't care to read the rest now.
I just want to say that this is never how you should respond to someone who is depressed.
I came here looking for Jesus. He never said,"Others have it worse than you," or, "Look at all the nice stuff you have," or, "You're not good enough." When there was a need, He met it. All I needed was a shoulder to cry on.
If I was suicidal, these comments could have driven me over the edge.
Don't assume anything about someone's character or Christian walk. People don't come here to be judged. Let God judge them. While they are on this Earth, be a comforter. Be Christ to someone.
A simple "I'll pray for you," or, "That sounds rough," would have gone a long way.
I know you specifically didn't reply anything rude, but just remember that people are human. Sometimes we need a little help.
child... ♥
i read the other thread, and hope you're still reading this one.
i've been in your situation, and by that i mean the self-pity, please forgive my bluntness.
i understand how easy it is to fall into it, comparing one's life with those of others and becoming dissatisfied and feeling ill-used. this is me confessing my own sins. i was wrong. and yet the Lord loved me, as He does you.
so what to do when God doesn't meet my expectations? when i pray and He doesn't answer in the way i think He ought?
well, it took me a good deal longer to figure that out than it should have. it began with this--
Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness (Titus 1:1 HCSB)
that struck me, did you catch it? 'a slave of God'. the Greek is doulos, meaning bondslave which confers the highest dignity, and means slave nonetheless.
you see, dear one, we are His servants, and not the other way around as i had supposed.
i thought i prayed and God gave me exactly what i wanted and not exactly what i needed.
though it was a difficult lesson to learn, how glad i am God patiently taught me.
i know... it's hard to be patient.
i know... it's hard to die to what one wants and receive joyfully what God, in His infinite wisdom, provides.
i really do understand.
your prayers are "working" just fine. perhaps one day maybe years from now you will speak words like mine to another who is confused and feels she's at her wit's end. (which, btw, is a very good starting place )
and i am praying for you.