Advice for my friend...?

Question

I need some advice to give to one of my friends. This is what he told me:

"I've become bulimic and very depressed"

The reason I'm posting this in the R&S category is because I want some good Christian advice. Bible verses would be good.

And I know some of you will say that the Bible is fake and you'll say good advice cannot come out of the Bible, but sorry, I'll believe in God no matter what you all say. I've learned to ignore those who seek to tell me that God doesn't exist.

Answer 1

as someone who is not religious and has experienced depression, i just have to say quoting the bible will only help if he is very religious too.

Answer 2

Well, tell her that God said her body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that He wants her to take good care of it. She needs a doc and a psyche to do that at this point. Of course Bible verses will only affect her if she believes in the Bible. If she does, then go from there. Convince her of the rightness and necessity of going to a doctor.
If she is not a believer, you need the Bible verses for yourself. The book of James says that God gives wisdom to anyone who asks, so ask Him what to do and say to help your friend.

Answer 3

Good to hear that you have a strong faith in God. I don't know the reason why your friend is bulimic and very depressed but I guess it has something to do with what is currently happening in her life. Whatever is happening to her, do tell her that life is all about responding right in every situation. You see, all of us will have problems we think we couldnt handle, the only difference is some respond in the positive way. Some respond by putting their faith in God because He is our creator. He knows us more than we know ourselves. We might not understand why this is happening to us right now, but that is why God called it faith - Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." God wants us to completely let Him take care of us. He wants us to let go of ourselves and cling on to Him.

I really pray your friend will see God's work in her life. God bless! =)

Answer 4

1. Bible verses mean absolutely nothing to someone that doesn't believe in them.

2. She needs REAL help, not your prayers and not bible verses.

3. YOU can believe in your god all you want, but that doesn't mean she does so don't bother using it. Your god only matters to YOU, no one else.

4. She'll feel like you're just preaching at her and get angry. She's already depressed and you're going to make it worse.

5. You need to be there as a friend, try to subtley and gently convince her to see a professional psychiatrist, not preach to her about god.

DO NOT start preaching. You'll only alienate her.

Answer 5

There are many good applicable Bible verses, but in the meantime, your friend needs to seek out a good, Christian counsellor. Depression is a real sickness and can be caused by physical factors.
Just as I would advise a diabetic to take his insulin, i would encourage a person who is chronically depressed to see if he needs medication and take it.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Co 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
2Co 1:10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

2Co 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Answer 6

I'm sorry, but giving this person Bible verses will not cure their bulimia. It is a medical/ psychological condition that requires professional treatment.
You may pray for your friend if you would like. But you need to talk to a parent or guidance counselor at your school about this, so that your friend can get the treatment he deserves.

Answer 7

Good on you for your final paragraph there. I reckon read Job with them, or by yourself, and let them know what Job went through, and how he was able to handle it. Also, offer to pray with them, or at least form them. When people know others care for them, they get a greater sense of self worth, and may be able to pull through the difficult time. And prehaps share some not to personal experiences you've had and how you knew God was with you through this time

Answer 8

Just like any sin, he needs to be trusting in God right now, that God will help him through this time. There is nothing that we have gone through or will go through, that Christ has not been through. He has been tempted in every way, yet without sin. So, who better to trust in right now than Him who has been tempted by it already. In these times, we need to quote Truths from the Bible, because Satan will try to attack us with lies when you are weak. Be his friend right now and tell him Truths from the Bible:
Jesus said I will never leave nor forsake you.
I hope this helps...

Answer 9

I cannot think of a Bible verse to help him, but tell him that God is with him and that God will help him through this. Be a friend and show him Christian love.

PS- good for you for standing up for your beliefs!

Answer 10

Since this is not about you, I would refer him to a psychologist or a help line of some kind. If he's that depressed, there's a good chance there's something he might not feel like sharing with an (apparently) judgmental 'friend' like you.