My younger brother, who I shall call 'Joe', seems pretty depressed most of the time. Granted 'Joe' is a teenager and seems to be going through the whole 'rebelious' stage and seems to be lost in finding his way in the world... At least, I think. He doesn't talk to me or the rest of our family much. It could be just some 'stage' he's going through, but I still worry about him at times.
I'm a Christian and when I told him that religion helps me when I'm sad or feeling lost, he told me that he has tried talking to God, but because his situtation hasn't improved imediately, he seems to have rejected religion (as far as I can tell, as like I said, he doesn't talk to us much). He seems to have lost faith in any sort of religion or philosophy, which makes me worry.
What should I do? How can I help him? Or should I just let him be and hope he can work out whatever his problems are on on his own?
2006-12-31 12:49:06 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Try showing him Spirituality and the ease of talking to God than pushing your particular religion on him. You might explain to him that God isn't a vending machine, you can't just put in Prayers and hope to get a result, he's more like a Poker Deal...you get dealt a hand which you have to choose what cards you want to play that were dealt to you ....he can only HELP you if you choose to let go of a few cards that are holding you back so he can Offer you some new Cards (i.e. Tools of life) to get you back into the game. Nobody ever wins in the Game of life...holding onto all the cards they were given. Check out some of these articles - Wildflowers is my favorite and see if you can't find some insight for him. http://www.indigosun.com/indigo_sun.htm
Another favorite quote:
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Joseph Campbell
2006-12-31 12:57:20 · answer #1 · answered by Aphrodite 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would be there for him, talk to him but don't preach to him. Let him make his choices and ask his questions. Invite him to some events and take his rejection with a positive note. If there is anything he likes to do (hiking, movies, skateboarding), try to do some of that with him with just the two of you. If there's anything he does that you have an interest in, watch it, ask a few questions about it or try and get his help with it (for instance, if he skateboards & you don't, ask him to teach you how).
He may open up outside the house, but it may take time. As long as he knows you're there and he can turn to you - you will have gone a long way to helping him.
The important thing is to keep a connection with him. Keep the avenue of communication open even if he decides not to use it.
Good Luck!
2006-12-31 12:55:30 · answer #2 · answered by bionicbookworm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! You just described me 10 years ago. Please don't force anything on him,he will hate you for it later. Give him his space, if your family did a good job, he'll turn out alright at the end. For me, it was a sort of validation of everything I'd been taught, he might come home not in the best situation or in his 5 senses, but at least he's home. In these 10 years, I've yet to enter a church for anything other than funerals or a wedding. But I know where my heart lies deep down. Just be there to support and not point the finger if he does dumb things, OK?
2006-12-31 12:56:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should definetely not just leave him, you should definetely not give up talking about God with him, and you should definetely not force God on him. he needs attention and im sure he would love if you sincerely wanted to hang out with him as a friend, and not spend time criticizing his stage hes going through. You need to work in God to your conversations every once in awhile, but if you are too forceful and excessive, he may reject it completely. he might get inspiration from some Bible characters who also had a bad time. Pauls books in the New Testament are a big booster to me when im depressed. Even when Paul was in jail he was glorifying Christ.
2006-12-31 12:56:10 · answer #4 · answered by bballsistaKT 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the place are Joe's mothers and fathers? Is he suicidal? in line with possibility they choose o tackle the melancholy? in some situations those tiers do no longer in basic terms pass away. melancholy is a chemical concepts imbalance, and drugs does help. Is your brother wrestling with a ethical subject? in line with possibility a mushy suggestion in direction of "spirituality" instead of "faith" could help. Get him a e book on astral projection and astral vacationing. that can grant him a secure thank you to look for solutions without fronting himself off on your loved ones. good success!
2016-10-06 06:46:54 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
relax. everything will work out okay. what is faith? it's the confident assurance that what one truly believes will come to pass. if you believe that god watches over his children, then why worry? I'm certan he'll get past this phase. you should be too. by the way, keep in mnd that God is not seperate. it's not some old man in the sky with a flowing beard regulating our lives. God, Jesus, holiness, love etc. are all one spirit. you are god. your brother is god. neither you nor he nor me for that matter can be seperated from god. it's what we truly are.
2006-12-31 12:59:22 · answer #6 · answered by luvspiritnature 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try being his brother and not his priest.
Sometimes it is better to just ask and listen, sometimes even better just to be there if he needs somebody to listen. As men we tend not to listen very well.
If I had something I was going through and somebody wanted to worry about my faith or lack of it I would likely shut them off too.
2006-12-31 13:01:49 · answer #7 · answered by Barabas 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I myself am going through this stage. It is because my family is pushing me away. He get over it in time just encouage him and show him you are there for him and he can always confide in him. Tell him jokes if he cracks and laughs hes not fully lost hes just thinking
2006-12-31 12:56:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a good rule of thumb.
Be sure to talk to God about your brother, before you talk to your brother about God.
Take it to the Father in sincere prayer.
God bless you and I will pray for your brother as well.
2006-12-31 12:55:26 · answer #9 · answered by bob j 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just support him when you can. Don't introduce religion or you may lose him altogether. This is not unusual in teenage boys, he will grow out of it but he will need your support to be certain.
2006-12-31 12:54:00 · answer #10 · answered by Nemesis 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋