Please pray for me... I'm kinda dealing with a lot. I've been really down for a while now....I"m 23 soon to be 24 and nothing has exactly gone right in my life. I'm in college but I"m struggling and stressing out about how to pay for it and stuff. Also I've asked God into my heart and all that but I still haven't really been praying, reading my bible and seeking him like I should. All the problems in my life and stuff just consume me and I turn to all kinds of destractions. But everything leaves me unsatisfied and empty of course. I'm just so lost, confused, and angry. My entire life I never had friends and my parents and everyone was really too busy to be there for me like I needed. I just always felt like an outcast, on the outside looking in. I still feel that way cause everywhere I go because I'm people don't really notice me and they think I'm a joke or something. I just really want to get passed all this and become the man God would have me be but I'm just so angry at everyone. Why God did you make me this way and allow these things to happen to me. Like the fact that I don't feel I'm exactly good at anything and I'm not good at being social so I don't have any friends. I'm just alone, lost and confused. I'm angry at myself for not knowing what to do, I'm angry at my parents for not seeming to really care about me, and I"m mad at God cause I cried to him and it's like he doesn't hear me. I mean really what does he want from me? I know he wants us to turn to him but still everything just leaves me feeling like I'm completely incompetent, empty, and just want to die to end all this pain and sorrow. Also besides not having friends, no one to really talk to, nothing good in my life like real hobbies or goals, I never got to persue those cause everything has always just seemed out of reach in one way or another. Like I want to get to that place with God where I know my calling, I feel him, and everything just feels right and I know I'm saved without a doubt but I'm always left guessing and second guessing rather I'm truely saved or not. I know I try ot be as sincere as possible when I talk to God but I doubt myself because I am human after all and I don't really believe anything I say or anything anyone else says because we're just human and human's are full of fallacies. Also I've been in many long distance relationships but they have always failed. My parents have just made me feel more stupid cause they're like you should find a girl near by but I haven't had any luck finding someone near by. Now I'm in one with this girl that I feel is the one but I get so angry cause I don't have here near me. She says I hurt her by the things I say like that I'm not sure I can stay with her because of the distance and she says she'll be with me soon but I just don't know if I believe her. I just keep feeling like nothing is ever going to come my way. Like God or someone is just up above me like a god and controlling my fate and . Like I'm doomed to be alone, miserable, and empty for the rest of my days. Please, if there are any sincere Christians reading this, please please pray for me. I'm trying to do all I can to seek God and clean up my life but it's really a struggle for me cause I have so much baggage and so many scars. I just know I don't want to be who I am now for the rest of my life. I want to be a great man of God who will help change the world and bring light among the people and do only good works.... No on is perfect but I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say I want to be unlike anyone else in the world, I want to be pure and sold out to God 110 percent or maybe even more. I want to give him every iota of me and then some. I want to be like David or like Mosses or like Joseph and many others. I want to really know and feel the power of God and I want to help lead his people and be a light to the lost. But right now I know I need to seek God and fix myself before I can help anyone else. Please pray for me because God knows I need all the prayers I can get.
I just need to stop feeling like everything is doom and gloom. I need to think about other things than ending my life. But everything in my life just seems like a no go right now. I really don't know what to do with myself.
Most colleges have a medical clinic. If not, ask around about a free clinic in your area. I STRONGLY urge you to talk to a doctor about the things that you have mentioned in your prayer request. There can be under lying physical causes for the mood you are describing - low blood sugar, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, etc.
Find the bulletin board in the student union and look for clubs related to your major, also clubs about those hobbies you were interested in. It's never too late to start a hobby. And look for announcements for a Campus Crusades Club, Bible studies, or peer mentoring. Do not delay. God will heal your emotional wounds, but He needs you to cooperate in the process and it is a process. Are you willing to struggle out of your black hole? You didn't get there in 1 day and you won't get out in 1 day.
Make sure you are being honest with yourself and with God. God will not reach through a wall of self-deceit. If you are kidding yourself about what your real problems are, you've pretty much tied God's hands until you get real.
CoolSN, I am so sorry for what you're going through and will definitely be praying for you. Rose had some great suggestions. Campus Crusade for Christ is awesome!! If they are on your campus, get hooked up with them. One of the things that Campus Crusade does that really helped me out when I was in college is their one-on-one discipleship. My freshman year, I had this amazing woman disciple me and she really helped to get through some rough spots. I still had a really tough time, but it helped a lot having her there and having the weekly Bible study to go to. Intervarsity Fellowship is also good. I had a friend in school who was involved w/ that and really enjoyed it. I'm hoping that one or the other or both are on your campus. I went to a really big state school (University of Washington), so there were a ton of resources available... not sure how that compares to a smaller school. I'll be praying that you'll be able to find a good, solid Bible study and group of Christian guys who will walk with you through this time.
If you can't find info. at the student union, you can try looking @ your school's website, or going to the Campus Crusade website... They may have a link on their to local groups. The Campus Crusade website also has a bunch of really awesome online resources. I also recommend the Boundless Webzine site. It's part of Focus on the Family has a lot of good articles applicable to college-age folks.
I do think it's advisable that you go to the campus medical clinic. Hopefully there is one? If not, and you live on campus, you could ask your RA for some help... Again, your school website might have some info. on nearby medical clinics.
You may also try giving Focus on the Family a call. If you go to their website, you can find their phone #. They provide 24/7 (I think?) counseling... And it's not counseling on an ongoing basis. But, they're able to help you kinda get things sorted out initially and can sometimes send you some free resources, and then give you a referral to some help in your area. So I'd really encourage you to take a look at their website and give them a call.
Know that you're not alone. So many students in college struggle. I had a REALLY hard time, for some of the reasons that you've stated and other stuff that was going on in my life. My home life was not the greatest either and so I wasn't really entering college as an emotionally healthy person w/ good coping skills. I don't want to go on-and-on about my college experience, but yeah, it was rough. BUT, I'm still here. I survived =) There is hope; there is always hope. Don't lose heart and just take things one day at a time.
Springrose and pixy gave some great advise, I would like to add a couple things.
It does sound like you are going through a hard time but I want to encourage you to really pray often and read your Bible. When we become Christians we have signed on for a battle against Satan. Nothing he hates more than when someone follows God instead of him. Before you became a Christian he didn't target you much because, basically, you were already serving him. Now that you are a Christian he will try to weaken your foundations. One way to battle him is to pray and to read God's Word. God's Word is our sword against our enemies, without it we can't possibly win. It is our instruction book for living.
I didn't notice anything in your post about a church so I want to encourage you to find a solid church. I church that has good, solid Bible teaching. They can also help you. You need to get plugged into the body of believers who can help you.
You most put your full focus on God before you can put your focus on anything else.
Hey, brother, I know how you feel. I'm not going to tell my story, because right now this is about you!
First of all, I want you to know that know matter how much you've been neglected by your family through Blood, in me you have a true brother in Christ. And as your family in Christ, I just want you to know that if there's anything at all that I can do for you then let me know and I'll do the best I can. We are called to carry each others burdens. So, brother, Yours burdens are my burdens. Let me help you with the weight! Amen!
"I"m mad at God cause I cried to him and it's like he doesn't hear me. I mean really what does he want from me? I know he wants us to turn to him but still everything just leaves me feeling like I'm completely incompetent, empty, and just want to die to end all this pain and sorrow."
Brother, I know exactly how you feel. There's been so many times where I've just broke down crying because of the weight on my shoulders. And quite a few times have I just out right said "God, I can't take this anymore. This is all too much, and I can't take it. What do you want from me? I've given you my life, I've given up on so much because I love you and desire to please you, yet all I have is misery!"
I feel like prayers like this are ok. God is your father, and he cares for you. One verse I like to think of is Psalm 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
God is your father, he wants to hear what you have to say. Granted he knows everything, what relationship is there if there's no communication? Tell God how you feel, place your cares upon him. I know sometimes it feels like he's not close, or maybe that you're praying to the sky, but as a man who has walked in your shoes let me assure you that God is not only listening, but he is near you when you pray. Have faith in that!
"I've asked God into my heart and all that but I still haven't really been praying, reading my bible and seeking him like I should. "
Don't look at is as ask, my brother, rather, think of the prayer of salvation as an acceptance of salvation. You're telling God that you believe, and I like to continually thank God for salvation... knowing that without it I would be lost forever. I truly appreciate what Jesus did for me, because many times I walked in works, and not faith, and condemned myself in my own mind... and now that I understand what it means to be saved, I realize that it's not by works I am saved, and how much I do this or that, but that I simply believe that I am saved by Christs atoning Blood, and have become a child of Promise, as Isaac. I am a son of God, amen!
". Like I want to get to that place with God where I know my calling, I feel him, and everything just feels right and I know I'm saved without a doubt but I'm always left guessing and second guessing rather I'm truely saved or not. I know I try ot be as sincere as possible when I talk to God but I doubt myself because I am human after all and I don't really believe anything I say or anything anyone else says because we're just human and human's are full of fallacies. "
In the Spirit we are capable of perfect. Anyone who tells you otherwise does no desire to be perfect, and is completely fine with sinning. Why does the Bible tell us that we are no longer under the power of Sin and death, nor are we under the curse of the Law, yet people claim we are not capable of being perfect? Why are we told to be perfect, as our heavenly father is perfect, unless it is possible? In Christ I am a new creation... a perfect creation. Let me ask you a question. Why do you not feel saved? Is it because you aren't perfect?
Let me give you words of encouragement brother. When we are saved, it begins the process of perfection. Salvation is a conversion in which we receive the Holy Spirit(don't doubt that the Spirit is in you. Believe it, and receive it. Remember, he testifies of the Truth. Listen to the truth my brother!). I believe this begins the process of a series of conversions. Maybe that what Peter is talking about in 2 Peter, chapter one.
Too anyone who reads that and that I'm a fool, then I ask you at which point was Paul saved? Before or after he came out of Damascus?
I continue: "I just know I don't want to be who I am now for the rest of my life. I want to be a great man of God who will help change the world and bring light among the people and do only good works.... No on is perfect but I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say I want to be unlike anyone else in the world, I want to be pure and sold out to God 110 percent or maybe even more. I want to give him every iota of me and then some. I want to be like David or like Mosses or like Joseph and many others. I want to really know and feel the power of God and I want to help lead his people and be a light to the lost. But right now I know I need to seek God and fix myself before I can help anyone else. Please pray for me because God knows I need all the prayers I can get."
Amen, brother. Amen! I will pray for you. Set your heart on the prize(Jesus) and focus on it. When you look straight, you walk towards what you are looking at. In that same way, look towards Jesus and let that guide your feet.
Can I ask you a favor? Will you pray for me? I want you to pray for me brother. God hears you! This is what I ask: I've come to understand that I can never change myself, but God's Spirit in me is what changes me. I tried so hard to work good to feel accepted in Christ, and for the first time in my entire life I felt saved 2 Wednesdays ago. Pray that God gives me understanding, and wisdom, and knowledge in his word. That changes me to be the man I want to be in God, which is a pastor after his own heart, that I may lead his Church in righteousness and all holiness, amen! Pray that as seeds and water come in my life, he always gives the increase!
Remember, my brother, not by works of the Law, but by hope, grace, and faith. Luke 21:19 "In your patience possess ye your souls." - Let us wait patiently for the coming of the Lord, Amen, and in our patience take up the cross and carry it with our Lord!
The Bible says to Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Look to our Lord Jesus Christ as an example! When he was tempted by Satan, he said "As it is written" and spoke of the scripture, and did not allow Satan to have power over him. Let us too, knowing the scripture, have faith in it's words and wait patiently for our reward in Righteousness. Amen!
"Most colleges have a medical clinic. If not, ask around about a free clinic in your area. I STRONGLY urge you to talk to a doctor about the things that you have mentioned in your prayer request. There can be under lying physical causes for the mood you are describing - low blood sugar, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalances, etc."
I rebuke you, Rose! Where is the faith in looking for physical problems? Shall he make a covenant with the doctors, and agree in his heart that he has anything and thus receive them? Jesus told a man in the Bible that his sins are forgiven, and he was healed. If our brother here is saved, is he not able to receive that healing too?
Where in the Bible was Abraham afflicted of any major illnesses? Is not God our shield? Pick up your shield of faith! We ARE free from the powers of sin, as the Bible says!
Isaiah 53:5 says "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
Christ took a horrible amount of physical abuse for us that we might be healed. Are you healed by his Stripes, CSN? Believe you are, and have faith in that, and it shall come to pass! I will pray for you!
Mark - Isaiah 53:5 is talking about spiritual healing not physical healing.
To say that we get sick because we don't have faith is a lie. To say that we don't get healed because we don't have enough faith is a lie. I've know very devout and faithful people that have been stricken by disease or injuries but have not been healed.
If God doesn't want you to be healed at this time it doesn't matter how strong, or weak for that matter, your faith is. I have seen a lot of false preachers playing the name it and claim it game and destroying the faith of believers. Believers that have a lot of faith but are not sure where to turn because of an illness. These false preachers crumble their already weak foundations by telling them they aren't faithful enough.
It may be that God is not healing you because He wants to create a great work in you. Maybe its to keep you humble in some way.
I never said that you have to have "x" amount of faith to receive healing, I'm telling him that placing your faith in doctors does not equal out to healing. He has two choices: Faith in doctors, or faith the healing power of Jesus Christ. Remember the woman with the bleeding issues?
Spiritual healing is what? The forgiveness of sins and the redemption from the Curse of the Law/Power of Sin, would you agree?
"Jesus told a man in the Bible that his sins are forgiven, and he was healed."
When did I say we get sick because we don't have faith? What I'm saying is that if you believe you are sick, you will be, because your faith worketh that. Don't put words in my mouth. "Shall he make a covenant with the doctors, and agree in his heart that he has anything and thus receive them?" is clearly what I said.
Don't misplace your faith. Just like if you believe you are justified by the works of the law, you are subject to the curse of the Law.
From this point on I will quote 4 pieces of scripture, the last two mainly being for our brother here, and say no more words, and you chose to believe what you want to believe based off of those scriptures. If your doctrine is wrong, it will not be on my head, but yours.
James 5:20 "14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
All of Romans 4
Romans 10:1-11 1Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."[a] 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'[b]" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'[c]" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[d] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
My apologies if I was putting words in your mouth but the same statements are spewed by false prophets and the results are usually disastrous to the person(s) they are lying to.
�Spiritual healing is what? The forgiveness of sins and the redemption from the Curse of the Law/Power of Sin, would you agree?�
Yes I would agree, as I said the verse talks about Spiritual healing not physical healing. The Curse of the Law is death not a physical illness.
'"Jesus told a man in the Bible that his sins are forgiven, and he was healed."'
Two things happened here his sins where forgiven then he was healed that still doesn't have anything to do with that verse.
�What I'm saying is that if you believe you are sick, you will be, because your faith worketh that. Don't put words in my mouth. "Shall he make a covenant with the doctors, and agree in his heart that he has anything and thus receive them?" is clearly what I said.�
Don't misplace your faith. Just like if you believe you are justified by the works of the law, you are subject to the curse of the Law.
So you're saying that first you have to believe that you are sick before you become sick. Doesn't make sense to me really. Usually people get sick then they go to a doctor. Making a covenant with a doctor is different than going to him when you are already showing symptoms of illness. And again the curse of the Law is death
�James 5:20 '"14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."'
Yes call the elders and pray over someone I agree completely. The Greek word used here for �sick� is asthenei which means �to be weak� which in the context of James is more than physically ill. In context the book of James is talking about spiritual health and over coming various trials of faith, that is why you call the elders and anoint a believer in oil.
There are a few places in the Bible that teach about using �medical techniques� such as bandages Isaiah 1:6, oil Luke 10:34, to use wine for your stomach and your frequent illness 1 Timothy 3:8.
Simply put we must put our faith in God first and since God has given doctors their gifts we can go to one when we see true symptoms of illness. Do we trust doctors completely? Absolutely not, they have been wrong on many occasions.
If you would like to continue this go ahead and start a topic in Biblical Q & D
That's not what I'm saying at all. "11And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself." Luke 13:11
That's what I'm basically talking about, that Spirit. In my opinion, going to the doctor and agreeing with him that your sick is allowing that Spirit to have grounds and your life, and to oppress you. Rebuke it is all I'm saying, and save yourself a trip to someone who's words can kill you.
"So you're saying that first you have to believe that you are sick before you become sick. Doesn't make sense to me really. Usually people get sick then they go to a doctor. Making a covenant with a doctor is different than going to him when you are already showing symptoms of illness. And again the curse of the Law is death"
. Like I'm doomed to be alone, miserable, and empty for the rest of my days. Please, if there are any sincere Christians reading this, please please pray for me. I'm trying to do all I can to seek God and clean up my life but it's really a struggle for me cause I have so much baggage and so many scars. I just know I don't want to be who I am now for the rest of my life. I want to be a great man of God who will help change the world and bring light among the people and do only good works.... No on is perfect but I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say I want to be unlike anyone else in the world, I want to be pure and sold out to God 110 percent or maybe even more. I want to give him every iota of me and then some. I want to be like David or like Mosses or like Joseph and many others. I want to really know and feel the power of God and I want to help lead his people and be a light to the lost. But right now I know I need to seek God and fix myself before I can help anyone else. Please pray for me because God knows I need all the prayers I can get.