Hi Dom
I have recently joined ChristianChat and was inspired by your courage to share your sadness with other christians. I struggled for a long time with depression when I was no longer able to work due to severe health problems almost 2 years ago. I have prayed to God, read the bible, and shared my struggles with my wife, friends at church and the pastor. Even though we believe in God, sometimes it is hard to get through dark periods in our lives without help and we can fall back into the same negative thoughts in the future.
First and foremost: always remember that Jesus loves you and He desires to be close to you. Sometimes we feel or think that He no longer cares, but He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen us in difficult times.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life"
Mathew 11: 28-30“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. [SUP]29 [/SUP]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. [SUP]30 [/SUP]For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Rev 3:20 [SUP]20 [/SUP]'Behold, I stand at the door and knock (at one's heart); if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."
John 14:16-18
[SUP]16 [/SUP]I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; [SUP]17 [/SUP]
that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him,
but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.[SUP] 18 [/SUP]“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [SUP]19 [/SUP]After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you
will see Me; because I live, you will live also. [SUP]20 [/SUP]In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
I hope you are encouraged by these scriptures. I read that you do not have a bible. You can go to the following website and read the bible online if you can not get a bible in the near future
https://www.biblegateway.com/
I recommend the New American Standard (NASB) or New International version (NIV). You can type in the Book of the bible to read on top (see the drop down link). The gospel of John or 1 John is a good place to start (recommended earlier in the threads). The scriptures I used are from the NASB).
It is very helpful to join a local church where you can praise God, hear God's Word and fellowship with other Christians.
Hebrews 10: 23-26 [SUP]23 [/SUP]Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; [SUP]24 [/SUP]and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, [SUP]25 [/SUP]not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging
one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Having people who will pray for you and you for them brings powerful healing and an ability to stand in faith.
Mathew 18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
Ephesians 6:10-18
[SUP]10 [/SUP]Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. [SUP]11 [/SUP]Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. [SUP]12 [/SUP]For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual
forces of wickedness in the heavenly
places. [SUP]13 [/SUP]Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. [SUP]14 [/SUP]Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [SUP]15 [/SUP]and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [SUP]16 [/SUP]in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil
one. [SUP]17 [/SUP]And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
[SUP]18 [/SUP][SUP][
g][/SUP]With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
I pray that you hold fast to your new convictions, and that God grants you the desires of your heart as you walk with Him.
I pray that a job opens up for you. If you want to write to me, send me a friend request.