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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
Hey,
I think the reason I'm depressed is because I lost my faith. As a child I attended church and became involed in church activities, at about the age of 16/17, I decided I didn't want to go to church any more. So I continued in life forgetting and not really caring about what I had been taught. Well, i guess I just kind of blocked it out. I Also felt as though Christianity had been forced on me and I wanted to rebel against my family.
So here I am at age 22, just finished university and I feel so lost. Its horrible, I feel like I'm in a dead end street.I find it impossible to make decisions about anything and well I'm totally depressed.
Anyway tonight something made me find the Bible which my Nan had given me some time ago. I started to read it and everything became clear. I actually feel as though some of my depression has lifted already.
So now I have made a decision to try and find God, live the way he wants to me to live and have faith. So now I don't have to worry about being in that dead end street, cos I know that God is gonna get me out of there.
Ok that was hard for me to write, because now you all probably think I'm mad. I used to find it so hard to admit to being a Christian, esp. at school! Cos its percieved as really nerdy and un cool. Now I am going to try my best to tell people about Jesus. I know its going to hard though, cos peoples reactions to stuff like that isn't generally good. I hang around with people who aren't religious at all, so I hope they still want to know me after I tell them. I think I'm being a bit paranoid about telling people, oh well!
The only think that bothers me now, is why God created us in the first place ???
Janejj
Posted by Mair on January 7, 2002, at 8:35:26
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
>
>
"Now I am going to try my best to tell people about Jesus. I know its going to hard though, cos peoples reactions to stuff like that isn't generally good. I hang around with people who aren't religious at all, so I hope they still want to know me after I tell them. I think I'm being a bit paranoid about telling people, oh well!"This is the part of religious rebirths that I've never understood - the feeling that you have to repeatedly broadcast it. I had a cousin who was "born again" several years ago and no one wanted to be around her for years because it dominated every conversation with her and was the basis of alot of unsolicited advice. Eventually she calmed down significantly. While still very religious, she is now much easier to take. Understand that the uninitiated are going to feel like you're cramming it down their throats in the same sense that you once resented your parents' influence. I'm happy for you if this is a positive in your life, and I understand that this is something that you want to tell your friends about, but just don't go too far too fast. I know lots of stalwart Christians for whom faith is extremely important yet who are also able to accept the lesser faith of their friends and do not feel the need to judge or persuade. You may feel that you fall into this category, but the more it dominates your conversations, the more coercive it feels to others who don't share your views.
>
Please don't take this as criticism - just the view of someone who is uncomfortable around people who are very voluable about new found faith.Mair
PS: I hope you're right about your depression
Posted by Dinah on January 7, 2002, at 8:44:35
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
Hi Janejj,
People have been finding peace and comfort in religion since time began. (Yes, yes I know you cynics out there - Some people have used religion for evil as well. But I'm guessing that at any point in history, there were far more people quietly going to worship and finding peace there than there were people killing other people in the name of God. They just didn't get the attention.)
I have sometimes found a deep sense of joy at the evidence of God's grace and ongoing concern in my life, say in the form of a particularly moving sermon that seemed to apply to exactly what I was going through in my life at that moment. Or there are some spiritual books that have been very moving to me. Many of them were not Christian either. There are many paths to find God, and many people find joy on each of those paths. So I do understand what you are experiencing.
Of course, as you pointed out, there are many people who are uncomfortable at the mention of religion and more than a few that are downright hostile. And if those people find God, it will probably be at their own pace and through their own personal experiences of epiphany. (Isn't that interesting that you chose to pick up your bible on Jan 6, Epiphany?)
As to why God created us, I like the Jewish perspective best. It's been a while, so if there are any Jewish readers out there, please correct me where I get it wrong. God created us in order that we can help perfect the world through our free choice of actions. We are the only beings with free will, down to the original act of choosing to have the knowledge of good and evil so that we can make decisions based on that knowledge and not on instinct. In that original act of eating of the fruit of the tree of good and evil we made the choice to be fully, painfully, and gloriously human.
That's probably more than you wanted to hear. Obscure religious theory and history is one of my either schizotypal or Asperger's "enthusiasms" and I tend to talk too much sometimes.
Sorry.
Dinah
Posted by Lini on January 7, 2002, at 9:12:10
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
I know what you mean about feeling lost, I too was a religious nomad for awhile. Becoming a Baha'i represented the "language" I was looking for in terms of a way to talk about God, but there are still periods of depression where my mental state and spiritual state are on opposites sides of the street.I wish you much luck with the bible, or anything else that helps you feel as though your depression is lifting. feeling better in order to do better is what it's all about.
Posted by Dinah on January 7, 2002, at 10:12:00
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by Lini on January 7, 2002, at 9:12:10
>
> feeling better in order to do better is what it's all about.
>
>
Posted by sid on January 7, 2002, at 10:19:51
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
Good for you, but please make sure you take care of yourself first and foremost in this life. The last depressive person who told me about her rebirth, last fall, committed suicide just before Christmas. Apparently nobody saw it coming. She found religion and switched meds at the same time, and I am not sure what happened that lead to her suicide.
I personally am agnostic and plan to remain so. I prefer to concentrate on the here and now than on anything that may or may not be real.
I am glad you find some comfort in the Bible, but please don't go overboard and make sure you talk to others when you are low.
> Hey,
>
> I think the reason I'm depressed is because I lost my faith. As a child I attended church and became involed in church activities, at about the age of 16/17, I decided I didn't want to go to church any more. So I continued in life forgetting and not really caring about what I had been taught. Well, i guess I just kind of blocked it out. I Also felt as though Christianity had been forced on me and I wanted to rebel against my family.
>
> So here I am at age 22, just finished university and I feel so lost. Its horrible, I feel like I'm in a dead end street.I find it impossible to make decisions about anything and well I'm totally depressed.
>
> Anyway tonight something made me find the Bible which my Nan had given me some time ago. I started to read it and everything became clear. I actually feel as though some of my depression has lifted already.
>
> So now I have made a decision to try and find God, live the way he wants to me to live and have faith. So now I don't have to worry about being in that dead end street, cos I know that God is gonna get me out of there.
>
> Ok that was hard for me to write, because now you all probably think I'm mad. I used to find it so hard to admit to being a Christian, esp. at school! Cos its percieved as really nerdy and un cool. Now I am going to try my best to tell people about Jesus. I know its going to hard though, cos peoples reactions to stuff like that isn't generally good. I hang around with people who aren't religious at all, so I hope they still want to know me after I tell them. I think I'm being a bit paranoid about telling people, oh well!
>
> The only think that bothers me now, is why God created us in the first place ???
>
> Janejj
Posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 11:08:24
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
Janejj:
I think the idea re: our creation was for God to have some companions in his likeness. But we apparently didn't have quite the will God did. :)
- K.
Posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 11:10:47
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !! » janejj, posted by Dinah on January 7, 2002, at 8:44:35
Dinah:
You Never talk too much here and your insights are very helpful.
- K.
Posted by mair on January 7, 2002, at 12:24:57
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !! » Dinah, posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 11:10:47
Posted by Simcha on January 7, 2002, at 14:38:59
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
Good for you!
My pdoc has often said that medication is not enough. There must be a spiritual component to recovering from depression. I need both.
I am not Christian. I'm Jewish. We do not believe in standing on street corners while handing out leaflets trying to "convert" the "heathens."
We tend to believe that religious choice is a private affair and that there are many ways to G-d.
I'm glad that you have found your way. I'd like to mildly suggest that you refrain from attempting to "convert" the masses. If anything you might be setting yourself up for more verbal abuse than you might be able to handle as someone recovering from depression.
On the other side I have found that allowing others their own beliefs and respecting that others have other beliefs than mine has brought me so much peace in this life.
I know that "Christians" have a "mission" to spread the "Word." If you feel you must in order to follow your spiritual path then you must. Just remember to take care of yourself if you get verbally abused. You do not need to open yourself up to abuse.
There are ways of "spreading the Word." I know a lot about Christianity. You may try to "spread the Word" through inner transformation leading to outward acts of kindness. When people see how you have been transformed they might actually ask you what your secret is. Then you have the obligation to tell them about the spiritual path you have found. This might be a better way than outright confrontation on the street. In my world, actions speak louder than words.
Above all janejj, take care of yourself. You are a blessed child of the Universe (and I believe of G-d).
-Simcha.
> Hey,
>
> I think the reason I'm depressed is because I lost my faith. As a child I attended church and became involed in church activities, at about the age of 16/17, I decided I didn't want to go to church any more. So I continued in life forgetting and not really caring about what I had been taught. Well, i guess I just kind of blocked it out. I Also felt as though Christianity had been forced on me and I wanted to rebel against my family.
>
> So here I am at age 22, just finished university and I feel so lost. Its horrible, I feel like I'm in a dead end street.I find it impossible to make decisions about anything and well I'm totally depressed.
>
> Anyway tonight something made me find the Bible which my Nan had given me some time ago. I started to read it and everything became clear. I actually feel as though some of my depression has lifted already.
>
> So now I have made a decision to try and find God, live the way he wants to me to live and have faith. So now I don't have to worry about being in that dead end street, cos I know that God is gonna get me out of there.
>
> Ok that was hard for me to write, because now you all probably think I'm mad. I used to find it so hard to admit to being a Christian, esp. at school! Cos its percieved as really nerdy and un cool. Now I am going to try my best to tell people about Jesus. I know its going to hard though, cos peoples reactions to stuff like that isn't generally good. I hang around with people who aren't religious at all, so I hope they still want to know me after I tell them. I think I'm being a bit paranoid about telling people, oh well!
>
> The only think that bothers me now, is why God created us in the first place ???
>
> Janejj
Posted by Chris A. on January 7, 2002, at 16:10:02
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
Janejj,
I'm glad you had the courage to share this here. You will face opposition in our 'tolerant' society, but it's nothing personal.
I find hope when at my lowest when I turn to my relationship with God. You've nudged me to get my Bible off of the shelf, dust it off and start reading.
BTW, I found a good Christian friend a couple of years ago on this list. We have the same illness, have a lot in common and are able to encourage each other when the going gets rough. It was no coincidence that we were able to connect.Here's to hope and life,
Blessings,
Chris A.
Posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 16:14:48
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !! » janejj, posted by Simcha on January 7, 2002, at 14:38:59
Hey Simcha,
Thanks for your comments. I don't have any intention of standing on street corners proclaiming things, can't quite imagine myself doing that! I don't want to force what I believe onto other people either. I respect other religions and belief's. My boyfriend has a different religion and its not an issue. I guess if we got married we'd have to have two weddings though ! It does say in the Bible that it is the work of Christians to spread the word. If i started preaching to my friends I think I'd drive them away!
>" There are ways of "spreading the Word." I know a lot about Christianity. You may try to "spread the Word" through inner transformation leading to outward acts of kindness. When people see how you have been transformed they might actually ask you what your secret is. Then you have the obligation to tell them about the spiritual path you have found. This might be a better way than outright confrontation on the street. In my world, actions speak louder than words"
I really like this idea !
Thanks,
Take care Janejj
Posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 16:16:44
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by Chris A. on January 7, 2002, at 16:10:02
Posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 16:25:22
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !! » janejj, posted by Dinah on January 7, 2002, at 8:44:35
Hi, I love to hear peoples opinions, including yours !!! I like the Jewish answer to why God created us also . I guess I'll have keep thinking about it though until I find an answer I cannot doubt. Thats gonna be pretty hard though !
Take Care
Jane
Hi Janejj,
>
> People have been finding peace and comfort in religion since time began. (Yes, yes I know you cynics out there - Some people have used religion for evil as well. But I'm guessing that at any point in history, there were far more people quietly going to worship and finding peace there than there were people killing other people in the name of God. They just didn't get the attention.)
> I have sometimes found a deep sense of joy at the evidence of God's grace and ongoing concern in my life, say in the form of a particularly moving sermon that seemed to apply to exactly what I was going through in my life at that moment. Or there are some spiritual books that have been very moving to me. Many of them were not Christian either. There are many paths to find God, and many people find joy on each of those paths. So I do understand what you are experiencing.
> Of course, as you pointed out, there are many people who are uncomfortable at the mention of religion and more than a few that are downright hostile. And if those people find God, it will probably be at their own pace and through their own personal experiences of epiphany. (Isn't that interesting that you chose to pick up your bible on Jan 6, Epiphany?)
> As to why God created us, I like the Jewish perspective best. It's been a while, so if there are any Jewish readers out there, please correct me where I get it wrong. God created us in order that we can help perfect the world through our free choice of actions. We are the only beings with free will, down to the original act of choosing to have the knowledge of good and evil so that we can make decisions based on that knowledge and not on instinct. In that original act of eating of the fruit of the tree of good and evil we made the choice to be fully, painfully, and gloriously human.
> That's probably more than you wanted to hear. Obscure religious theory and history is one of my either schizotypal or Asperger's "enthusiasms" and I tend to talk too much sometimes.
> Sorry.
> Dinah
Posted by Teva on January 7, 2002, at 20:52:36
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !! » janejj, posted by Simcha on January 7, 2002, at 14:38:59
> Good for you!
>
> My pdoc has often said that medication is not enough. There must be a spiritual component to recovering from depression. I need both.
>
> I am not Christian. I'm Jewish. We do not believe in standing on street corners while handing out leaflets trying to "convert" the "heathens."
>
> We tend to believe that religious choice is a private affair and that there are many ways to G-d.
>
> I'm glad that you have found your way. I'd like to mildly suggest that you refrain from attempting to "convert" the masses. If anything you might be setting yourself up for more verbal abuse than you might be able to handle as someone recovering from depression.
>
> On the other side I have found that allowing others their own beliefs and respecting that others have other beliefs than mine has brought me so much peace in this life.
>
> I know that "Christians" have a "mission" to spread the "Word." If you feel you must in order to follow your spiritual path then you must. Just remember to take care of yourself if you get verbally abused. You do not need to open yourself up to abuse.
>
> There are ways of "spreading the Word." I know a lot about Christianity. You may try to "spread the Word" through inner transformation leading to outward acts of kindness. When people see how you have been transformed they might actually ask you what your secret is. Then you have the obligation to tell them about the spiritual path you have found. This might be a better way than outright confrontation on the street. In my world, actions speak louder than words.
>
> Above all janejj, take care of yourself. You are a blessed child of the Universe (and I believe of G-d).
>
> -Simcha.
>
I just wanted to add to this as well. I too take comfort in the Word of God, but at the same time I do not stand on street
corners or try to convert the masses. I was introduced to God through a friend who never "pushed" anything on me, rather
was there if I had any questions. I just became interested and wanted to learn more and that is how I conduct myself as well.
Jesus is not something that I am embarrassed to talk about, but I do know when to talk and when to just listen.
And although I have my beliefs, I don't judge others beliefs or ridicule them for them, for that is not my place.Having depression in my life is hell, but, when I do look to God, it does get easier.
I also just wanted to say that from what I have been reading, there's a great group of people here and a lot of caring and
support. It's certainly helped me, even though I am a newcomer to this site.I hope I have the opportunity to help others here as well.
Teva
>
>
> > Hey,
> >
> > I think the reason I'm depressed is because I lost my faith. As a child I attended church and became involed in church activities, at about the age of 16/17, I decided I didn't want to go to church any more. So I continued in life forgetting and not really caring about what I had been taught. Well, i guess I just kind of blocked it out. I Also felt as though Christianity had been forced on me and I wanted to rebel against my family.
> >
> > So here I am at age 22, just finished university and I feel so lost. Its horrible, I feel like I'm in a dead end street.I find it impossible to make decisions about anything and well I'm totally depressed.
> >
> > Anyway tonight something made me find the Bible which my Nan had given me some time ago. I started to read it and everything became clear. I actually feel as though some of my depression has lifted already.
> >
> > So now I have made a decision to try and find God, live the way he wants to me to live and have faith. So now I don't have to worry about being in that dead end street, cos I know that God is gonna get me out of there.
> >
> > Ok that was hard for me to write, because now you all probably think I'm mad. I used to find it so hard to admit to being a Christian, esp. at school! Cos its percieved as really nerdy and un cool. Now I am going to try my best to tell people about Jesus. I know its going to hard though, cos peoples reactions to stuff like that isn't generally good. I hang around with people who aren't religious at all, so I hope they still want to know me after I tell them. I think I'm being a bit paranoid about telling people, oh well!
> >
> > The only think that bothers me now, is why God created us in the first place ???
> >
> > Janejj
Posted by Dinah on January 7, 2002, at 21:03:25
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !! » Simcha, posted by Teva on January 7, 2002, at 20:52:36
Posted by fallen sparrow on January 10, 2002, at 0:28:11
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
Hi ... I know that feeling so well. I was raised in a very religious family, both my immediate and extended family are very involved in the church. When I was 17, I turned my back on it. I lost SO much of myself in that period of time, and I lost so much of my strength. Im 20 now, and Im really trying to open that part of me back up, to find my faith and rely on it again. I know that in the small moments when I do, and when I have, I feel so much PEACE and HOPE ... and I never feel that on my own. So HOLD on to that , to what you feel now ... its amazing!
Sparrow > Hey,
>
> I think the reason I'm depressed is because I lost my faith. As a child I attended church and became involed in church activities, at about the age of 16/17, I decided I didn't want to go to church any more. So I continued in life forgetting and not really caring about what I had been taught. Well, i guess I just kind of blocked it out. I Also felt as though Christianity had been forced on me and I wanted to rebel against my family.
>
> So here I am at age 22, just finished university and I feel so lost. Its horrible, I feel like I'm in a dead end street.I find it impossible to make decisions about anything and well I'm totally depressed.
>
> Anyway tonight something made me find the Bible which my Nan had given me some time ago. I started to read it and everything became clear. I actually feel as though some of my depression has lifted already.
>
> So now I have made a decision to try and find God, live the way he wants to me to live and have faith. So now I don't have to worry about being in that dead end street, cos I know that God is gonna get me out of there.
>
> Ok that was hard for me to write, because now you all probably think I'm mad. I used to find it so hard to admit to being a Christian, esp. at school! Cos its percieved as really nerdy and un cool. Now I am going to try my best to tell people about Jesus. I know its going to hard though, cos peoples reactions to stuff like that isn't generally good. I hang around with people who aren't religious at all, so I hope they still want to know me after I tell them. I think I'm being a bit paranoid about telling people, oh well!
>
> The only think that bothers me now, is why God created us in the first place ???
>
> Janejj
Posted by Shar on January 12, 2002, at 0:36:55
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !! » Simcha, posted by Teva on January 7, 2002, at 20:52:36
> >I was introduced to God through a friend who never "pushed" anything on me, rather was there if I had any questions. I just became interested and wanted to learn more and that is how I conduct myself as well.
Teva,
I have a 2-3 friends like that, who know their Bible, are immersed in the faith, and are happy to converse without trying to convert. I believe they are a blessing in my life.They are open about their faith and very active in their respective churches, and when they talk about things it is more along the lines of "I'm doing this or that" or "I felt this way and prayed about it and some insight g-d gave me was..." Very matter-of-fact. They never expected to understand completely why things happen, or to get perfect guidance, but they did listen to the heavens (and I think many of us don't, whether it is couched in religion or not).
It seems to come down to a leap of faith; willingness to believe in the unprovable.
BTW, I encourage everybody to get on every prayer list they can; it couldn't hurt! Oh, and in Texas they are "heatherns" and must be set right.
Shar
Posted by NikkiT2 on January 12, 2002, at 16:42:53
In reply to Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by janejj on January 7, 2002, at 0:42:01
*ponders*
Now you mention it, my first major depressive episode (age, about 15) coincided with the time I *started* going to church... Reckon theres any correlation??
*grins naughtily*
nikki
Posted by Shar on January 15, 2002, at 17:02:17
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by NikkiT2 on January 12, 2002, at 16:42:53
Posted by bearaquila on April 21, 2008, at 11:10:08
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by Mair on January 7, 2002, at 8:35:26
I'm a Christian too, but before I was, nothing would make me run quicker than those trying to push their faith on me. You can easily show people your faith, unobtrusively, by living what you believe. If someone seems receptive, then tell them about Christ and what you have come to believe, but until people want to believe, you will only run them off if this is the constant topic for you.
I myself am using the Bible to overcome my depression. But it may be very helpful for you to find a church or group of other like believers to discuss this with. Having someone to pray with you is also a good help for depression I find, it focuses the mind on positive things.good luck to you~!
> >
> "Now I am going to try my best to tell people about Jesus. I know its going to hard though, cos peoples reactions to stuff like that isn't generally good. I hang around with people who aren't religious at all, so I hope they still want to know me after I tell them. I think I'm being a bit paranoid about telling people, oh well!"
>
> This is the part of religious rebirths that I've never understood - the feeling that you have to repeatedly broadcast it. I had a cousin who was "born again" several years ago and no one wanted to be around her for years because it dominated every conversation with her and was the basis of alot of unsolicited advice. Eventually she calmed down significantly. While still very religious, she is now much easier to take. Understand that the uninitiated are going to feel like you're cramming it down their throats in the same sense that you once resented your parents' influence. I'm happy for you if this is a positive in your life, and I understand that this is something that you want to tell your friends about, but just don't go too far too fast. I know lots of stalwart Christians for whom faith is extremely important yet who are also able to accept the lesser faith of their friends and do not feel the need to judge or persuade. You may feel that you fall into this category, but the more it dominates your conversations, the more coercive it feels to others who don't share your views.
> >
> Please don't take this as criticism - just the view of someone who is uncomfortable around people who are very voluable about new found faith.
>
> Mair
>
> PS: I hope you're right about your depression
Posted by Sigismund on April 22, 2008, at 17:01:20
In reply to Re: Reading the bible has helped with my depression !!, posted by bearaquila on April 21, 2008, at 11:10:08
Reading Job or Ecclesiastes could help you with your depression (it did me) but you couldn't say that it helps focus your mind on positive things.
This is the end of the thread.
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