damned

[Godscreated]

Have you considered that maybe your anxiety and depression aren't a result of not believing or doing the right thing?  God, I'm told, doesn't punish us in this world.  Even if he does, you can't assume that what is happening to you is such punishment.  It may not be.  Sometimes bad things just happen.  That doesn't mean your beliefs are wrong, or that your relationship with your husband is a bad thing, it just means that bad things happen.  Some Christians believe that if you do and believe the right things, you will be rewardeed in this life.  That is called prosperity theology, and the consensus of mainstream theologians is that it is a heresy.  Even if God were causing bad things in your life, that doesn't necessarily mean those bad things are the ultimate end of God's purpose.  The wise Greek king Solon once said that the only fortunate people were the dead.  By this, he meant that, as long as you are alive, your fortunes can always change, so nobody can truly be considered fortunate or unfortunate until their life is complete, and the final results are known.  Until that time, though you are rich and happy, tomorrow you may be met with disaster, and all your blessings turned to dust.  Alternately, if you are anxious and depressed, tomorrow may bring something different.  Anxiousness and depression may even be the factor which brings you to something better.  You don't know until everything has been said and done.  Since my teen years, I have suffered chronic depressions and psychotic delusions which over the years caused me enormous suffering.  In the last few years, I've been free of the delusions, thanks to anti-psychotic medication, and this past summer, my depression lifted, and I am enjoying a full and happy life.  So don't give up and blame your religious beliefs prematurely.  You don't know what tomorrow may bring.  If you trust in God, then trust in God, and know that he has a plan for you.  Just remember Job.  He went through hell and things turned out for him.  Just remember that God helps those who help themselves, so do what you can to address your depression and anxiety in addition to worrying about your beliefs.  If depression and anxiety are an issue in your life, then seek help, from therapy, medication, self-help books, friends, family, or whatever.

Best of luck.

 I'm surprised at your answer, if that had been me I would thought you were trolling me. Good advice though, I have anxiety and depressive issues but mine are due to a chemical imbalance in my brain. One thing though, the scriptures never say that God helps those who help themselves, how that got started I do not know but it goes against what scriptures teach, stating this just so you will know.

GC

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Hi,
I'm here out of desperation.  I'm hoping someone can help me.  I thought I was saved (a Christian) for 11 years.  In that time, everything I did was for God.  Then I pray this prayer, asking God to show me what was causing my long-term anxiety and depression.  Do you know what He shows me?!  He shows me that I was never really saved in the first place and that I never can be because I got married when He told me not to.  I did exactly what the Rich Young Ruler in the Bible did if you don't mind looking up the story.  I have had anxiety and depression ever since I have been together with my husband so I know this relationship was not God's will.  I remember God telling me that I would go to hell if I married him but I didn't believe Him because that sounds ridiculous.  Also, I thought you got saved by believing that Christ died for your sins, which I did do before I married my husband.  Upon further study of the scriptures there are TONS of conditions you have to meet in order to be saved.  There are SO MANY works, yet Christians say it's not by works.  Christians say that salvation is FREE but they are LIARS because salvation is NOT free.  Only those willing to pay the price get to go to heaven and that number is few.  I am so pissed.  I even went to my pastor and his wife before I got married for help because I was unsure of my salvation as well as the marriage I was about to enter into.  I need help.  When I first found out I was going to hell, I cried in my room for 2 years.  I've spent this 3rd year trying unsuccessfully to learn how to function again.  I have 4 beautiful children who need me.  I wish I could just become and atheist and be done with this but I can't.  I had actual encounters with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  I can't deny Him.  I can't walk around disabled, unable to function, and hyperventilating all the day long.  I didn't know God was so cruel.  Please help me, I don't know what to do. I need to live a good & productive life.

 Hi,
 You are worrying over things that you shouldn't, first of all God doesn't pick our mates for us, he does give us guidelines for choosing the one we marry. Next thing, salvation is free and without works, if works were a part of salvation then Jesus died for nothing, works were required before Christ came and gave His life, so why would God suffered for us if the same old ways were to be the standard for salvation. Salvation comes from faith in Jesus and the grace of God bestowing salvation on us, no works can get you there. A gift is not earned it is freely given. You have other issues you are hiding from yourself and those around you and until you deal with them in an appropriate manner (getting professional help) you will continue to have these problems. I have anxiety and depression because of a chemical imbalance in my brain, no fault of mine and it was not God caused it just happened. My doctor prescribed some medication and it has helped tremendously, they are not strong drugs and do not hurt my every day functions, it was a simple solution to a problem that could have gotten out of control if I had not sought professional help, by the way the doctor is my regular MD. I will pray for you.

GC