My brother's life is pretty messed up right now, how could I help?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
D

disbeliever

Guest
#1
#1
My brother is really depressed, he broke up with his boyfriend recently, and now he's homeless. He doesn't know how he could go on any more, because his life is so screwed up. He was kicked out of the army when he OD'd on some heroin, he has AIDS, and he's been so depressed lately he's started hurting himself. What can I do to help?
 
Thomas60

Thomas60

Banned
#2
Jun 20, 2010
401
1
0
35
#2
Accept he has HIV, you can't change that.
Depressed people may not listen even if they say they want to pick themselves up, they feel ashamed or helpless if they try to.
From a strategic management perspective, you can't change a persons paradigm without being a little forceful.
Stories
Symbols
Structures
Power Structures
Control Systems
Routines and Rituals
(who says I didn't learn anything in my BA hons^^)

Look up the cultural web online, and find out what each of those mean, identify what your brothers are, then find the ones which are influincing him into this depressive state. Often you will have to break through and stop him from talking about the past (stories) and get talking about things to value now and the future. Literally kick and persuade him out of his routines once in a while, more often. Find out what he feels he's being judged by or factors that stop him being proactive (control systems) e.g. public/family opinion and make arguments to ignore, change his perspective of what their real opinion is and actions are for, reduce the frequency with which he is put under that situation etc

I'll leave the list at that
hope it helps.
 
L

lexieydoodle

Guest
#3
#3
A support group can do wonders. Find one and encourage him to join.
They can give you the emotional support and understanding that is impossible for one person to give, no matter how much you love him. Support groups usually offer advise on how to get your life more on track, job opportunities, new drug treatments being offered, ect.

I hope you and your brother find better days!
 
P

Psalm2713

Guest
#4
#4
Aww.... I am so sorry you are going through this hon..... I pray that God steps into your brother's life and heal him.... what can you do?... whenteaching little kids at church i leaned they always have two answers .... Jesus and Love, in that order and it's true .. because i believe that it is the answer to your question...I pray for God's hand on all of this.. :)
 
M

mattyb

Guest
#5
#5
Hey I agree totally with Psalm2713 on this one Jesus and Love, Prayer is most vital because God is a good God and he will never change and then you can show your love by listening to Thomas60. Anything helps! I will be praying for you!

Blessings,
 
markg212

markg212

Banned
#6
May 8, 2011
5
0
0
#6
disbeliever, I am sorry to hear about all the grief your bro is going through. I have to agree with mattyb, pray for him! God is awesome at answering prayer. Also, give him words of encouragement and let him know you care, be there for him. If he has a heroin addiction, he may need some rehab treatment. Heroin can be a devastating drug.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.