I feel really really depressed. How do I get better?

[Ross MwcFan]

You just gained some points. Although Teknoe does sound as if he wants to help.

 

Are you being nice to me now?

[PlumPrincess]

Are you being nice to me now?

Maybe...

[jerbear]

Are you being nice to me now?

 

Maybe...

 

Oh oh... another LS romance...

[Teknoe]

Yay, Teknoe found a new focus.

 

You can't help people who resist getting better. They might ask for help on the surface, but it's just a token plea in hopes to find some simple, magical formula to get better. Reality is, getting better takes some work, and sadly some people just talk the talk -- never walking the walk. And they wonder why they stay depressed....

 

 

I don't mind the idea of joining a group at all. I know I have genuine nice friends online who support me, and I really appreciate that, but it would be nice to have some offline too, who I could actually socialise with.

 

Yes, Ross! You are absolutely correct -- having online friends isn't enough. It's a nice bonus, but not a substitute for the real thing. You just admitted you could use some real life friends. This is a good start.

 

Since you don't mind joining a group, I'd suggest you do the following:

 

1. go to google.com

2. type in "(your town name here) churches"

3. Click on some of them and find out their service times

4. Make a commitment to attend one service next Sunday, no matter what

5. Go, and then inquire about small groups you can visit during the week

 

There's also some church websites where small group leaders' emails are posted, and you can directly email those people and say something like

 

"Hi, I'm interested in visiting your small group sometime. Can you send me the address and details of where you're meeting up?"

 

It's as simple as that, Ross.

 

It'd be good for you to find some folks to talk to and with.

 

Please hold onto this, and carry out your plan. Don't shrink and allow fear to get the worst of you.

 

Because the truth is, hurting people either stay hurt, or they find some healing. Who are the ones who get healed?

 

The PROACTIVE, intentional folks. Don't be one of those folks who just complain and do nothing to try and improve. I know you got it in you, Ross. Forget what anyone else might say about church or whatever, just seek it out for YOURSELF.

 

I'd love to hear your report on your 1st small group experience. Really, what have you got to lose? Just give it a shot.

[HeavenOrHell]

He's already told you/us he's not interested in religion or going to church, why are you pushing religion onto him? Many of us *aren't* into religion because we know/think/feel it's baloney, many of us do not believe in 'god'. Normally I wouldn't be rude about it but when someone is trying to make someone go to a church service when they have already said they're aren't interested because they're not religious...

 

He's also been to a general activity group at church, which wasn't for him.

 

Ross has to made steps towards work/meeting others, but it doesn't involve religion, you did the same with somedude81, tried to force religion onto him when he said over and over it's not for him, I know it's hard for zealots to grasp that many of us aren't religious, and that their way isn't *the* way or the only way, self righteousness is just one more reason to turn me/us off religion.

 

 

 

You can't help people who resist getting better. They might ask for help on the surface, but it's just a token plea in hopes to find some simple, magical formula to get better. Reality is, getting better takes some work, and sadly some people just talk the talk -- never walking the walk. And they wonder why they stay depressed....

 

He's also been to a general activity group at church, which wasn't for him.

 

 

 

Yes, Ross! You are absolutely correct -- having online friends isn't enough. It's a nice bonus, but not a substitute for the real thing. You just admitted you could use some real life friends. This is a good start.

 

Since you don't mind joining a group, I'd suggest you do the following:

 

1. go to google.com

2. type in "(your town name here) churches"

3. Click on some of them and find out their service times

4. Make a commitment to attend one service next Sunday, no matter what

5. Go, and then inquire about small groups you can visit during the week

 

There's also some church websites where small group leaders' emails are posted, and you can directly email those people and say something like

 

"Hi, I'm interested in visiting your small group sometime. Can you send me the address and details of where you're meeting up?"

 

It's as simple as that, Ross.

 

It'd be good for you to find some folks to talk to and with.

 

Please hold onto this, and carry out your plan. Don't shrink and allow fear to get the worst of you.

 

Because the truth is, hurting people either stay hurt, or they find some healing. Who are the ones who get healed?

 

The PROACTIVE, intentional folks. Don't be one of those folks who just complain and do nothing to try and improve. I know you got it in you, Ross. Forget what anyone else might say about church or whatever, just seek it out for YOURSELF.

 

I'd love to hear your report on your 1st small group experience. Really, what have you got to lose? Just give it a shot.

[Ross MwcFan]

You can't help people who resist getting better. They might ask for help on the surface, but it's just a token plea in hopes to find some simple, magical formula to get better. Reality is, getting better takes some work, and sadly some people just talk the talk -- never walking the walk. And they wonder why they stay depressed....

 

 

 

 

Yes, Ross! You are absolutely correct -- having online friends isn't enough. It's a nice bonus, but not a substitute for the real thing. You just admitted you could use some real life friends. This is a good start.

 

Since you don't mind joining a group, I'd suggest you do the following:

 

1. go to google.com

2. type in "(your town name here) churches"

3. Click on some of them and find out their service times

4. Make a commitment to attend one service next Sunday, no matter what

5. Go, and then inquire about small groups you can visit during the week

 

There's also some church websites where small group leaders' emails are posted, and you can directly email those people and say something like

 

"Hi, I'm interested in visiting your small group sometime. Can you send me the address and details of where you're meeting up?"

 

It's as simple as that, Ross.

 

It'd be good for you to find some folks to talk to and with.

 

Please hold onto this, and carry out your plan. Don't shrink and allow fear to get the worst of you.

 

Because the truth is, hurting people either stay hurt, or they find some healing. Who are the ones who get healed?

 

The PROACTIVE, intentional folks. Don't be one of those folks who just complain and do nothing to try and improve. I know you got it in you, Ross. Forget what anyone else might say about church or whatever, just seek it out for YOURSELF.

 

I'd love to hear your report on your 1st small group experience. Really, what have you got to lose? Just give it a shot.

 

I didn't mean religious groups.

[Teknoe]

He's already told you/us he's not interested in religion or going to church, why are you pushing religion onto him? Many of us *aren't* into religion because we know/think/feel it's baloney, many of us do not believe in 'god'. Normally I wouldn't be rude about it but when someone is trying to make someone go to a church service when they have already said they're aren't interested because they're not religious...

 

He's also been to a general activity group at church, which wasn't for him.

 

Ross has to made steps towards work/meeting others, but it doesn't involve religion, you did the same with somedude81, tried to force religion onto him when he said over and over it's not for him, I know it's hard for zealots to grasp that many of us aren't religious, and that their way isn't *the* way or the only way, self righteousness is just one more reason to turn me/us off religion.

 

 

Very well. It's just I felt the same way for 25 years. I was turned off by religion. Religious folks.

 

But it's not about some legalistic religion.

 

It's about a true spiritual faith that transforms people to love themselves, and to love OTHERS selflessly. That's the kind of true love the Gospel is all about. There are bad Christians, and good Christians. I've met the good ones, and that has helped to shape my view on the faith.

 

That plus when I was down and out, nowhere to go but up, and nowhere to turn, Jesus came to set me free.

 

I didn't grow up in church. I didn't go to church until I was 25.

 

So that's why I'm big on recommending it to hurting people. It's not about religion. It's about love... and that's what depressed, hurting people need.

 

I know it rubs some folks the wrong way, but I'll share it because it worked for me, and maybe it'll help out at least 1 more person. If so, it'll be worth having shared it.

 

My life is still far from perfect, but now I have hope and joy. I know I'm not alone. I know I'm loved, by people and by God.

 

I'll leave it there. Good luck to you, Ross.