Prayer for Anxiety/Depression

[Chris]

For those of you who missed my post two weeks ago, or who thought it was ambiguous, two weeks ago I really dedicated my life to Christ for the first time. So far, the only progress I've really made is that I'm beginning to discover just how slow progress is going to be for me. Part of the reason I became a Christian when I did is that this whole semester I've had serious problems with self-hatred, loneliness, etc. and I simply couldn't take it anymore. I was better for a couple days afterwards, but it's returned and in full force. I was hoping that becoming a Christian would pretty much nip that in the bud, but it's clearly not the case. It doesn't make me want to go back on being a Christian or anything, but it is a hurdle I was hoping to avoid. In a week and a half I'll be seeing a psychologist at my school, and in the meantime, I'm talking to Marti a lot. I would really appreciate prayer that it would manageable, and something that can hopefully be treated eventually. I'm not a happy person, I've never really been a happy person, and it's something I would really like to be healed of.

[Korunks]

I will pray for you Chris. 

[TheMarti]

You know I'm prayin' bro, and I'm on your side. Poke me if ya need me.

[jbeers285]

Lifting you up in prayer man.

Total side note

If you ever need a get away my house is always open and will include good times, laughter, gaming, food and love. (Free of charge )

[YourMathTeacher]

Chris,

Feel free to PM or call me anytime. I will PM my phone number. FWIW, my degree is in Psychology. Math Education was actually my minor.

I was just like you at your age in more ways then you realize. When I was in high school, I remember purposefully not buying a class ring because I figured they were only for giving to your girlfriend, and I assumed I would never have one anyway. In fact, I felt that having a class ring on my finger would end up being a constant reminder of my loneliness - the polar opposite of having a wedding ring.

As a now happily married man of over 20 years, God clearly had a decidedly different plan for me that I did not even remotely see coming back then. However, the change in my self-image did not come from my wife, or anything that anyone else had to say to me. That kind of change can only come from within. My wife and I were "only friends" for the first two years, partially because of my negativity. She will attest that it was not until I changed myself that she fell in love with me.

So, ultimately, you and only you can start the healing process. Reaching out for help is an important first step. But if you are hoping that someone else, even Jesus, can turn everything around, then you are still missing the fundamental truth of the Cross:

You were worth dying for!

We, as Christians, know full well that Jesus died for us, but sometimes we miss the connection that we had to have value in the first place. Jesus did not die for nothing, and He did not die for everyone except you. That doesn't even make sense.

You, and everything about you, were worth the sacrifice... worth the pain. I know that can be difficult to accept when life has told us otherwise, but it is time to stop listening to what the world has to tell you.

From now on, when you watch a movie where a character sacrifices himself for someone else in the movie, try to imagine that Jesus is that character, and that you were the one that they loved so much that they knew they had to "let go." Then maybe you will start to see that you were worth the sacrifice to Him. Remember that God not only sees us as we are, but also as what His plan is for us.

Like I said, if you want to talk, just give me a call. I can take time away from my schedule, because you're worth it. And trust me, I know.

[Chris]

I truly appreciate all the messages and responses to this. I'm considering some really hard but possibly necessary decisions that might help a lot, so prayer for wisdom would be appreciated. I'm also very tentatively trying to get into exercising more, since goodness knows I need it. Thank you again everyone.

[Chris]

I just sent out a half-dozen PMs that I should have sent two weeks ago, so to those of you who responded in this thread or sent me a message and just received a response, my apologies. You are all in my prayers, and I can't express how humbling it has been and how blessed I've felt. I'm still struggling a lot, and continuous prayers are needed, but I'm still trying to remain faithful. Thank you all of you.

[RTSmaniac]

Hey Chris, just wanted to let you know that it was awesome to finally get to meet you in person at NATS, and that I really look forward to seeing you again.

[TheHobbit13]

I think you need to start a brawl straight up. It worked for me at Church Youth Group 20**. #theywerebaptists.

[AJ]

Praying for you Chris.