Why so much fear and depression?

Question

Christians only please! I believe in God and accepted Jesus as my Savior long ago yet,I have for all my life(even to this day)been filled with unimaginal fear of darn near everything and severe deppression. I never feel peace or joy.
no matter how much I pray. I am seeing a DR. for this and have been on meds. all my adult life.
I need your prayers. Help me!

Answer 1

depression is a bad thing, I'm being treated to...but its a chemical imbalance and you will need to get your meds to where you can be happy...I'm taking Paxil, and Welburton, and they work really well, but the devil will come at you and hit you at your weakest point, so you will have to fight him, daily ,I do, I watch different preachers every day,Joyce Meyers,Creflo Dollar, John Hegie,and several more, and go to church weekly, but one day a week is not enough to keep the Devil at bay so you will have to do spiritual warfare, every day, pray, and tell the Devil to leave you a lone, and he hates you to sing, and use Jesus name....to cast him out....be mean to him...he can't hurt you as long as you are trusting in God,when you are in fear, the devil is manipulating you,you are a child of God ,you shouldn't fear anything....ever
I have a Bible study Group if you'd like to check it out ,I have a lot of information and adding more all the time,just click on links and see what kind of information I have,join if you like
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/understandingthebible/

and here's you what happened to me 3yrs ago, and has become my mission.....help me if you like. It has really helped me to feel like I'm doing something for the Lord...and many people email me and have thanked me for sending this to them so i know that God is in this.

THE DREAM

I DREAMED ONE NIGHT TWO ANGELS CAME TO MY BED. THEY TOOK ME TO HEAVEN I FELT I HAD NOTHING
TO DREAD. WE STOOD IN FRONT OF A BIG WHITE GATE. IT OPENED SLOWLY AS WE STOOD IN WAIT.
MANY CLOUDS BILLOWED AND SWIRLED ABOUT US AS I STOOD IN AWE OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS THAT
SURROUNDED US. WHAT I SAW WORDS COULD NOT EXPRESS, I WANTED TO STAY AT THIS BEAUTIFUL ADDRESS.
THE ANGELS ALLOWED ME TO LOOK INSIDE, THE BEAUTY THE MAJESTY, MADE ME CRY.
"IT'S TRUE, IT'S ALL TRUE, I KNOW THAT IT'S TRUE" I HEARD MYSELF CRY, AS TEARS RAN STREAMING
FROM MY EYES.
I KNEW WHAT I SAW WAS NOT OF THIS EARTH,THIS CREATION WAS FOR THOSE OF THE NEW BIRTH. THE
POWER, THE BEAUTY, THE SIGHT OF IT ALL WAS SO STRONG,THAT THE ANGELS SHUT THE GATES QUICKLY
TO MY NEW HOME. "IT'S NOT YOUR TIME," I HEARD THEM SAY, " WE JUST WANTED YOU TO SEE WHAT WAS
ON THE WAY," THEY SAID "YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN INSIDE THE GATE, BUT YOU WILL REMEMBER WHERE
YOU HAVE BEEN.YOU MUST TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS DREAM. THAT GOD'S WORD IS TRUE. IT'S THE REAL THING.
GOD HAS LET YOU SEE WHAT IS YOUR REWARD IF YOU WORSHIP, LOVE HIM, AND KEEP HIS WORD."
WE ALL NEED TO REALIZE THAT IT'S REALLY TRUE. WE NEED TO GET THE LOST ONES IN IF IT'S ALL THAT WE
DO. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, THE END IS NEAR, AND YES, IF YOU ARE LOST YOU HAVE EVERYTHING TO FEAR.
CALL ON JESUS NOW, SO YOU CAN GO TO AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I SAW AND YOU'LL BE EXCITED TOO.
I'LL SOON BE IN MY NEW HOME,PASS THE BIG WHITE GATES. DON'T YOU WANT TO GO THERE TOO? I JUST CAN'T
WAIT!!!!


I REALLY DREAMED THIS DREAM JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN. I FEEL IT WAS INSPIRED BY GOD AND HE GUIDED MY
THOUGHTS AND MY HAND IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.

I AM GIVING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU AND GOD HAS DIRECTED ME TO DO SO.
I HOPE THIS MESSAGE WILL HELP YOU TO MAKE THE BIGGEST DECISION OF YOUR LIFE
TO ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR AND TO SERVE HIM. SO YOU, ONE DAY
WILL STAND AT THE BIG WHITE GATES AND BE INVITED IN TO STAY, FOR ETERNITY.
GOD BLESS YOU







THE DREAM

I DREAMED ONE NIGHT TWO ANGELS CAME TO MY BED. THEY TOOK ME TO HEAVEN I FELT I HAD NOTHING
TO DREAD. WE STOOD IN FRONT OF A BIG WHITE GATE. IT OPENED SLOWLY AS WE STOOD IN WAIT.
MANY CLOUDS BILLOWED AND SWIRLED ABOUT US AS I STOOD IN AWE OF THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS THAT
SURROUNDED US. WHAT I SAW WORDS COULD NOT EXPRESS, I WANTED TO STAY AT THIS BEAUTIFUL ADDRESS.
THE ANGELS ALLOWED ME TO LOOK INSIDE, THE BEAUTY THE MAJESTY, MADE ME CRY.
"IT'S TRUE, IT'S ALL TRUE, I KNOW THAT IT'S TRUE" I HEARD MYSELF CRY, AS TEARS RAN STREAMING
FROM MY EYES.
I KNEW WHAT I SAW WAS NOT OF THIS EARTH,THIS CREATION WAS FOR THOSE OF THE NEW BIRTH. THE
POWER, THE BEAUTY, THE SIGHT OF IT ALL WAS SO STRONG,THAT THE ANGELS SHUT THE GATES QUICKLY
TO MY NEW HOME. "IT'S NOT YOUR TIME," I HEARD THEM SAY, " WE JUST WANTED YOU TO SEE WHAT WAS
ON THE WAY," THEY SAID "YOU WILL NOT REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN INSIDE THE GATE, BUT YOU WILL REMEMBER WHERE
YOU HAVE BEEN.YOU MUST TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS DREAM. THAT GOD'S WORD IS TRUE. IT'S THE REAL THING.
GOD HAS LET YOU SEE WHAT IS YOUR REWARD IF YOU WORSHIP, LOVE HIM, AND KEEP HIS WORD."
WE ALL NEED TO REALIZE THAT IT'S REALLY TRUE. WE NEED TO GET THE LOST ONES IN IF IT'S ALL THAT WE
DO. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME, THE END IS NEAR, AND YES, IF YOU ARE LOST YOU HAVE EVERYTHING TO FEAR.
CALL ON JESUS NOW, SO YOU CAN GO TO AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I SAW AND YOU'LL BE EXCITED TOO.
I'LL SOON BE IN MY NEW HOME,PASS THE BIG WHITE GATES. DON'T YOU WANT TO GO THERE TOO? I JUST CAN'T
WAIT!!!!


I REALLY DREAMED THIS DREAM JUST AS IT IS WRITTEN. I FEEL IT WAS INSPIRED BY GOD AND HE GUIDED MY
THOUGHTS AND MY HAND IN PUTTING THIS TOGETHER.

I AM GIVING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU AND GOD HAS DIRECTED ME TO DO SO.
I HOPE THIS MESSAGE WILL HELP YOU TO MAKE THE BIGGEST DECISION OF YOUR LIFE
TO ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR AND TO SERVE HIM. SO YOU, ONE DAY
WILL STAND AT THE BIG WHITE GATES AND BE INVITED IN TO STAY, FOR ETERNITY.
GOD BLESS YOU

Answer 2

I was once a Christian, but answer this only because I know where you are. I'm a religious person, and have suffered with depression (and other mental illness) since about 14.

I'm not sure about much of your history, but here are some things that I discovered for myself.

1. If you are suffering from depression, and using any mind altering substances, especially alcohol, you're making things MUCH worse.

2. Trusting God to relieve a major mental illness probably isn't going to help, no matter what some preachers might say. If you're beating yourself up because you don't have "enough" faith, will only add to your depression.

3. Don't give up. It took me years to find the proper combination of medications that finally worked. It takes some people even longer. I have a friend who has spent years, but on occasion finds those times when her depression lifts for a while and she simply enjoys those times.

4. Exercise. This has worked wonders for me. I live in a small city, and I go where I can via bicycle. I'm biking about 40 miles per week. It's helped counter some of the weight gain of the meds I'm on, and it increases seretonin, working with the meds. Since I started, the depression has really gone down a bit.

5. Sleep. Try to keep your sleep schedule steady.

6. Fish oils... Omega 3 fatty acids. Eat salmon, or try a suplement. It's been shown to help a bit.

7. Prayer and meditation. Whether it's Christian or any other religion that works for you, spending time in prayer and meditation helps calm your mind at least. Put aside the worries of the day. As Jesus said, the birds and flowers aren't worried about what's coming next. Live in today and tomorrow will take care of itself.

8. Figure out how far you are willing to go to relieve your depression. Working with your doctor can give you options. Some antidepressants require changes in your lifestyle, changes in your diet, and such. A final trial might be something like ECT. It's not as bad as it used to be, but it's still a bit daunting and scary. Still, for many with resistant depression, it works.

9. Caffiene. I mentioned mind altering substances before, but many don't consider caffiene to be one such. If you use it and can stop, that will help.

Just a bit more about me... I've got depression, Bipolar 1, Borderline Personality Disorder and PTSD. At one point, I was in a mental hospital almost every 6 months. I was considered permanently and totally disabled, and on SSDI. I also used drugs and alcohol. I'm now at the point where I'm starting my own business. It's been LOTS of work, it's taken a lot of trust in my doctors. It also takes recognition that I have a permanent illness that requires constant monitoring.

Please trust your God. Please be honest with your doctors. Please know that when the right combination of therapies is found, things will get better. You may never feel "perfect", but "better" can happen.

I hope this helps, and I'll pray for you.

--Dee

Answer 3

I will pray for you. I am a Christian, but I too suffer from severe depression (actually Bipolar 2). It took a while, but I am properly medicated and seeng a great doctor. Not all doctors are equally good. My particular condition is very difficult to diagnose. So there was a lot of trial and error. But I am doing very well, now. The same can be true for you. Use your faith, but seek the best medical help you can find. And as a side note, don't rule out a psychiatrist because he or she is not a Christian. Go with the person who has the best education and experience with clinical depression and mood disorders. Email me any time if you want to swap notes or just need moral support.

I can also recommend some good books about depression and faith.

My best to you.

Answer 4

If you're on meds that can explain it.

The love of God and Jesus will NOT replace Insulin in a diabetic.

It will NOT replace Nitro in an agnia patient

It will NOT relieve a toothache

YOu have a body chemistry problem and meds might help and it might not be possible to fully feel joy. So don't worry, just take your meds and work at things.

Answer 5

I'm glad you are seeing a doctor. Hopefully it's a psychiatrist because family doctors sometimes aren't very good at helping people with severe symptoms like you. I actually just heard a talk last night that could help, and I'll throw in another link, too.

I sincerely hope that you will be able to find peace and healing.

http://www.byub.org/findatalk/details.asp?ID=2079
http://www.byub.org/findatalk/details.asp?ID=5442
Here's a great counseling service:
http://www.providentliving.org/familyservices/strength/0,12264,2873-1,00.html

Answer 6

I am sorry that the joy of the Lord escapes you, it should not. Try a Christian counselor, try another psychiatrist to evaluate your current meds, sometimes they stop working. Get involved in church or community activities. If you are married, reach out to your husband, if you are single go and hang out with single Christians. Life is to be lived abundantly, sometimes the cares of the world take away our joy, all we need sometimes is to re focus and ask God what we should stop doing that causes us to feel despair and disconnected from His joy.

Answer 7

Because we are weak in faith. We should have nothing to fear or depress about because God is there beside us.
Satan is the one who makes us feel imagined fear and; he also causes us to be depressed because he knows that if we are feeling things that cause us to put ourselves 1st that he can make us keep pushing God farther and farther away.

Keep praying and see a doctor.

Answer 8

As it was written God created you in his/her own image. What this means to me, is that only you can help you. For me I had to study outside my religion and apply what I learned to what I already knew about my own religion. In other words don't put all your eggs in one basket. Your religion along with the study of other religions and psychology should give you more effective tools to help yourself feel more happy and free. Good Luck

Answer 9

It's good that you're seeing a doctor for this, because this seems much more of a medical problem than a spiritual one.

I will pray for you.

.

Answer 10

Christians still suffer from physical and mental illnesses. See if you can find a wise therapist to talk with, someone who is both attuned to your faith and to the intricacies of depression.

You may find one through the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
http://www.aapc.org/

.

Answer 11

Do what you are doing, especially praying for more of God's holy spirit.

(Galatians 5:22-24) 22 On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Trying our best to practice such qualities, God makes up the lack we have because of our imperfection.

Jesus also recommended not just praying for help, but being very specific about what we pray for. Please note:
(Luke 11:7-13) . . .’ 8 I tell YOU, Although he will not rise up and give him anything because of being his friend, certainly because of his bold persistence he will get up and give him what things he needs. 9 Accordingly I say to YOU, Keep on asking, and it will be given YOU; keep on seeking, and YOU will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to YOU. 10 For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened. 11 Indeed, which father is there among YOU who, if his son asks for a fish, will perhaps hand him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he also asks for an egg, will hand him a scorpion? 13 Therefore, if YOU, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to YOUR children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!”

Please note , Jesus spoke of being persistent and asking for more holy spirit and the fruitages mentioned in Galatians.

The result, if indeed you are following your Doctors advice & taking your medicine(if the advice is right & good) , I have been for over 23 yrs. and still struggle to have an up day. You will feel relief at times. Please do not expect too much as the proverbs states "expectation postponed makes the heart sick."--Limit how much of the news you watch, it bothers me to hear of such terrible things, so when you are low, protect your sensitivity. Be careful of any weird entertainment , there is a lot on tv and the movies, that can add to depression.

Too also, what is your hope for the future? I find comfort in the fulfillment of the Lord's Prayer, concerning God's Kingdom and its blessing for the earth, as it says Matth. 6:9,10 .......thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven........."
The earth is to be paradised under the kingdom Jesus taught us to pray for, please note the conditions that will prevail at :(Revelation 21:2-4) . . .. 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

This is not an experience to be had in heaven, it has to be on earth, for there is no pain or crying or dying anywhere in the heavens, "the former things" are happening & have happened on the earth. That is something to look into, if in fact you have not thought of that hope.

Also, keep confidence in your prayers as Paul stated:
(Philippians 4:5-7) . . .. 6 Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let YOUR petitions be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard YOUR hearts and YOUR mental powers by means of Christ Jesus."

You might not realize it , because of the constant pain you are experiencing , but if you recognize God's hand in using Christ's example and thoughts of the wonderful things he did on the earth, that will help as Paul continues:
(Philippians 4:8-9) 8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things. 9 The things that YOU learned as well as accepted and heard and saw in connection with me, practice these; and the God of peace will be with you.'

Do not give up, there are millions who are suffering your & my situation and do not even know what steps they could take. I Hope for the best for you.