Lovelybird Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 (edited) many people do want God in their lives, but afraid of being too close to God, that is where problem come Edited January 24, 2008 by Lovelybird Link to post Share on other sites
swansong519 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 many people do want God in their lives, but afraid of being too close to God, that is where problem come Your thoughts are noted...but I don't think GeorgeJungle came here to be converted. There is a section here strictly for discussions of a religious nature. Link to post Share on other sites
Lovelybird Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Your thoughts are noted...but I don't think GeorgeJungle came here to be converted. There is a section here strictly for discussions of a religious nature. Is there a section here strictly for discussions of a medication conversion? Link to post Share on other sites
swansong519 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 (edited) You know what? I have to apologize...I thought that George had posted since your first post and hadn't shown any interest in your ideas...but he hasn't...it's just been the 4 of us...my mistake. And your point is well made... I think the concern of the other posters and myself is that your advice could be detrimental to someone in a truly medical, depressive crisis. All the flowery talk about the power of God isn't going to help someone who's brain chemistry is giving them fits. The advice you propose takes time, dilligence, an ability to focus, the rationality to see a situation for what it is...many things medically depressed people simply aren't able to do. And to suggest that they should be able to only serves to put even more pressure on someone who can least afford it. If they aren't able to pull themselves out of a depressive state through the power of belief or prayer they may feel even worse about themselves for failing at their task. Medication can give them the opportunity to think more clearly...stave off the crisis and begin making some clear headed decisions about how they want to live their lives. Edited January 24, 2008 by swansong519 Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 You know what? I have to apologize...I thought that George had posted since your first post and hadn't shown any interest in your ideas...but he hasn't...it's just been the 4 of us...my mistake. And your point is well made... You're eloquent and diplomatic SS. Personally- I get irked when people push religion. The benefits of medicine and science can be quantified with tangible data. As long as no one is telling me I need to find Jesus to make my life better- I am okay with listening to opinions. Even though I don't agree. I find attempts at conversion intrusive and annoying- but this isn't my thread, and it's not directed at me. I will say- you may find documentation "correlating" prayer and healing.... but you will find tangible scientific data that exhibits positive results of medical science and healing the body and mind. Pray, think positively, engage in therapy.... but science isn't a primitive gimic. Link to post Share on other sites
swansong519 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 You're eloquent and diplomatic SS. Personally- I get irked when people push religion. Awww shucks *blushes while kicking stones* thanks I find you to be equally as eloquent and very well informed. Actually...I do too...but I do so try to be diplomatic... Link to post Share on other sites
JamesM Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 As one who finds the evidence for God and eternity very credible, and as one who believes very strongly that we need to all be prepared for eternity, I can say that depression is not simply a result of being unconverted and away from God. Depression comes in many forms. It is either an emotional imbalance resulting from trauma, or it is a chemical imbalance resulting from...and imbalance of chemicals. It can also be a temporary result of realizing that we need to be drawn to God if we can expect any hope for our eternal welfare. All of these have different solutions. It appears that George has either an emotional imbalance or a chemical imbalance. Both are treatable with medicine or counseling. Since he has not mentioned regret for past sins or a fear for his eternal welfare, then I can assume that his solutions lie in the hand of the medical profession. I have known Christians who have been diagnosed as clinically depressed. Their depression was cured with antidepressants and counseling. As one who experienced depression, I can say that it had nothing to do with not being close to God. While this is an issue that we all need to face, it can be completely separate from an emotional or physical illness. Too often, people seem not to want to categorize emotional illnesses as something on level with physical illnesses. Yet when they see what antidepressants can do, then they understand. Depression has many causes....including hypothyroidism, heart problems, and many emotional trauma. It cannot simply be categorized as the result of one thing. Link to post Share on other sites
marlena Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Religion is the opium of the people Religion works as a healing drug not unlike anti-depressants or other synthetic drugs. Both induce altered states of the mind. Both come from an outward source and have nothing to do with the individual's own built-in capacity to effect a change in mood by exercising the powers of his own mind. Both religion and drugs numb the senses and afford a respite from pain. Given the fact that we mortals do not yet have the ability to self - induce emotional or mental states, I would say that both methods work equally well. It would seem that LB and the opposition "left or right" are both right. Whether it be faith in "whoever" or faith in those little pink/green/yellow pills, what really matters, is curing or rather alleviating the symptoms. Link to post Share on other sites
Author georgejungle Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 (edited) Hi All, Thanks again for all the advice and help you've been sending. I look at all avenues and ways. I appreciate all your views and respect them all. I think I would most benefit from Counseling, when i think hard about it. I would love to be able to talk to a therapist if only a few times. I'm not saying a medicine wouldn't help me, maybe it could. But just to talk to someone willing to listen, would be so much therapy for me in itself. I've never been good at expressing my faults and feelings. I've never been one to really go and draw attention to myself. My biggest fault is not allowing myself to look and feel vulnerable in the eyes of my spouse because to worry her (if i did) might make her feel helpless since she depends on me so much. And maybe it wouldn't, but that's just the way i feel. Like i mentioned earlier, i realize everyone has problems and some probably have it a lot worse than I, so i'm done wallowing. Sure this problem i'm experiencing feels at times like such an incredible burden that i want to just break down and let it all out, but realistically, I need to pick myself up and understand that i'll be alright, this is a challenge and I just have to ask for help and then wait it out and start the road to recovery. And again, I'm able to operate normally 90% of the time, i seriously am...But when it comes to this Health kinda stuff, I just WORRY too dang much. But rather than just sit around and worry about it, Just Get Up and Do something about it, right? right. But I am going to see a counselor. I know I want to do that as soon as I possibly can. Thanks again Edited January 24, 2008 by georgejungle Link to post Share on other sites
D-Lish Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 As one who finds the evidence for God and eternity very credible, and as one who believes very strongly that we need to all be prepared for eternity, I can say that depression is not simply a result of being unconverted and away from God. Depression comes in many forms. It is either an emotional imbalance resulting from trauma, or it is a chemical imbalance resulting from...and imbalance of chemicals. It can also be a temporary result of realizing that we need to be drawn to God if we can expect any hope for our eternal welfare. All of these have different solutions. It appears that George has either an emotional imbalance or a chemical imbalance. Both are treatable with medicine or counseling. Since he has not mentioned regret for past sins or a fear for his eternal welfare, then I can assume that his solutions lie in the hand of the medical profession. I have known Christians who have been diagnosed as clinically depressed. Their depression was cured with antidepressants and counseling. As one who experienced depression, I can say that it had nothing to do with not being close to God. While this is an issue that we all need to face, it can be completely separate from an emotional or physical illness. Too often, people seem not to want to categorize emotional illnesses as something on level with physical illnesses. Yet when they see what antidepressants can do, then they understand. Depression has many causes....including hypothyroidism, heart problems, and many emotional trauma. It cannot simply be categorized as the result of one thing. I enjoy reading your posts. I agree with you. Link to post Share on other sites
Green Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 I enjoy reading my own posts, and my own views on emotions derive greatly from the concept of addiction. People get addicted to emotions, even negative ones. It becomes a pattern that you have to hit rock bottom before changing. Link to post Share on other sites
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