Question of Faith?

Suppose, you were Peter whom Jesus asked, "do you love me?" thrice times.

How much do you love Jesus Christ who saved your soul?
How much do you love Jesus Christ by not serving Him?
How much do you love Jesus Christ by losing faith?

 

Shell, have you decided to seek medical care for your depression, or did you take your pastor's advice to "tough it out"?

The 'blues' come and go, but clinical depression doesn't.

 

RE:alternative suggestion

Shell,

I am late to this thread but I wish to address a couple of things that others have not addressed.

First of all I do not know how long you have been saved but it is not uncommon that our past activities have unknowingly given a platform from which to attack us spiritually. Resist the Devil and he shall flee in other words be not weary in well doing for in due time you will reap is you faint not. Find a good Christian biography such as D.L. Moody, Praying Hyde, G Mueller, D. Brainard etc. as you read what God has seen others through their stories will be a great encouragement to you in your time of need.

Secondly fast and pray and ask the Lord to return the joy of His salvation.

Lastly and I think more importantly (because of the way you wrote your OP) I wish to address your singleness. I teach and counsel adults 19-30ish regularly because of this I am privy to many of their struggles of which two things are consistently in their top 5 questions. Why does everyone think I have to be married to be happy? When will God bring me a mate? I have come to rely heavily on 1 Corinthians 7 when talking with these folks.

First of all I acknowledge that I may be off base by broaching this topic but based on your age and my experience I believe one of these points will be an encouragement to you.

Singleness is a gift of from gift God Paul writes clearly in 1 Corinthians 7:7 “For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.” Often times married folks have found such happiness in marriage they cannot imagine anyone being happy who is not married consequently they look at and speak to singles as if you are less than spiritual or are disobeying the Lord by not being married. Singleness provides a wonderful opportunity to serve and be totally dependant on the Lord. You have none of the restrictions a married couple would have when it comes to serving the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul.

If it is finding that future mate, creating that family or no longer having that loneliness to contend with I would encourage you to do the following. Pray, fast and if your church is small consider attending a bible college, your odds of finding someone who spiritual and godly would be greatly enhanced, in a fundamental bible college. I have been encouraging our young ladies to go to college get an education and a husband for years and many have done just that.

I trust this is a help or at least offers a little guidance to consider.

thjplgvp :type:

 

Shell,
Some of the greatest people in the Bible suffered from depression - Elijah begged God to kill him.

Some of God's choicest men down through history have also. Read about Luther. And Spurgeon talked about a minister's fainting fits.

Get some help. It may not need to be medication. But get some help through a godly counselor. Toughing it out isn't your only option.

 

Hi Shell,

These words just kind of jumped out to me. You sound a little lonely. I am not trying to pry, but maybe you need to try and add something to your life not look to subtract things from it. Maybe ask some other singles from your church to start getting together. Or just even one person if they want to do something some time. I might be way off base here, but that is what came across to me. If this is the case, well then I can understand how you might be feeling a little depressed, which is then leading towards just a blah feeling about doing what you are currently doing. If this is the case don't withdraw, that would be just what Satan would like for you to do. However I would make sure you include enough interaction with peers, and not just children. We all need relationships where we get something out of it also not just give of ourselves. You sound like a wonderfully dedicated person, I will pray for you that this will pass. One thing I try a remember, sometimes when Statan knows you are ready to do something great for God, is when he seems to attack you the hardest, don't let him win in the battle to discourage you. Please spend extra time in Gods word, and in prayer, it will help.

 

Shell,

loneliness doesn't just pass. You need to get out there and dispel it. Make a new friend, invite a visiting couple over to your house for lunch one Sunday afternoon. Hey, invite someone from church who isn't a visitor! Have a little tea party for your neighborhood girls. Have a week long VBS in your backyard. Find one person who will be your soul winning partner each week. That's a great way to make friends!

Im praying for you, too, sister!

 

Remember, your salvation has nothing to do with your feelings but your faith. When I wake up at 5am...I do not "feel" saved. When I have the flu...I do not "feel" saved...and when I am period of depression, I do not "feel" saved.

What you have said in this post is a common problem among Christian. Your flesh is getting the best of you. As a Christian, you battle the world, flesh, and the devil. The reason I chose your flesh...is we are naive to think that the Devil himself will tempt us each time we are tempted...but rather it is your weak flesh.

My best advice:

1. If you are feeling depressed, engulf yourself into God's word and prayer EVERY DAY....even if you do NOT FEEL like it. I have suffered from extreme depressive periods in my life (so much so that I do not wish to go on)...but all of them were a result of me leaving the side of God....remember He never moves...we do.

2. Continue your work with the ministry...don't give up. Maybe try something new to spice it up...a new incentive program? Clean up or decorate the van?

3. Do not feed your flesh....watch what you read, watch on TV, who you hang out with...

4. Remember, you are in a spiritual race. People want to drop out or slow down all the time in the race...but if you do that you will not be able to say, as Paul, 1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

May God bless you.