Comments on: Question: I’m Lonely & Struggling. What Can I Do? http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/ Scriptural teaching, Bible Answers, Christian Advice Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:06:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: brentriggs http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/comment-page-1/#comment-3365 brentriggs Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:07:48 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2484#comment-3365 Jamie, You hit most of the straw man rhetoric that replaces true discourse today: throwing out broadstroke accusations about being judgmental, unqualified, what would Jesus do, etc. You forgot to "bashing", "intolerant" and "hateful". According to you, I'm not qualified to have my conclusions, but you are qualified to tell me my conclusions are categorically wrong. Based on what qualifications? What qualifies you to categorically declare my opinions as wrong? As usual, there is no direct refutation of anything I wrote; just a broad criticism and condemnation. If what I wrote is wrong, please enlighten as to which parts. I wish people would learn how to truly discuss differences in opinion and belief rather than simply spewing emotional disagreement based on absolutely no reason or fact. Blessings, Brent Jamie,

You hit most of the straw man rhetoric that replaces true discourse today: throwing out broadstroke accusations about being judgmental, unqualified, what would Jesus do, etc. You forgot to “bashing”, “intolerant” and “hateful”.

According to you, I’m not qualified to have my conclusions, but you are qualified to tell me my conclusions are categorically wrong. Based on what qualifications? What qualifies you to categorically declare my opinions as wrong?

As usual, there is no direct refutation of anything I wrote; just a broad criticism and condemnation. If what I wrote is wrong, please enlighten as to which parts.

I wish people would learn how to truly discuss differences in opinion and belief rather than simply spewing emotional disagreement based on absolutely no reason or fact.

Blessings,
Brent

]]> By: Jamie http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/comment-page-1/#comment-3359 Jamie Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:45:41 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2484#comment-3359 Brent, What would Christ do? I don't for an instant believe he would have responded in such an incompassionate manner. If you have never suffered from chronic depression; which usually has a biological cause, don't spout selfishness, etc., when you have not walked in their shoes, do not have a medical degree, and know not of which you speak. This is not a behavior problem and kicking the horse while it is down is not the method to proactively treating this type of problem (unless pushing a person to suicide is considered treatment). Remember to Judge not least ye be judged also. Jamie Brent,
What would Christ do? I don’t for an instant believe he would have responded in such an incompassionate manner. If you have never suffered from chronic depression; which usually has a biological cause, don’t spout selfishness, etc., when you have not walked in their shoes, do not have a medical degree, and know not of which you speak. This is not a behavior problem and kicking the horse while it is down is not the method to proactively treating this type of problem (unless pushing a person to suicide is considered treatment). Remember to Judge not least ye be judged also.
Jamie

]]> By: Susan http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/comment-page-1/#comment-297 Susan Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:04:12 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2484#comment-297 God bless you and thank you for standing up for God and for what He calls good as opposed to what the world does. Frankly if the world calls something "good" then that's excellent incentive to run in the opposite direction as fast as your feet will take you. There's one thing I can always count on here and that is that there is no "compromise" or "gray areas" in the topics you write about. Just as there are NONE in the Word of the living God. I appreciate your candor and your honesty. To be popular with the "world" we would then be "unpopular" with the Creator. As for me, just like you? I'd rather be "popular" with God in standing up for what He says. God bless you for all you do. Maranantha! :) God bless you and thank you for standing up for God and for what He calls good as opposed to what the world does. Frankly if the world calls something “good” then that’s excellent incentive to run in the opposite direction as fast as your feet will take you. There’s one thing I can always count on here and that is that there is no “compromise” or “gray areas” in the topics you write about. Just as there are NONE in the Word of the living God. I appreciate your candor and your honesty. To be popular with the “world” we would then be “unpopular” with the Creator.
As for me, just like you? I’d rather be “popular” with God in standing up for what He says. God bless you for all you do.
Maranantha! :)

]]> By: Stefani Smirnes http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/comment-page-1/#comment-287 Stefani Smirnes Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:57:25 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2484#comment-287 This advice is very good. You can't be lonely if you are serving others. There are so many people who are bedridden or disabled and really have no choices but to be alone. Why you could go and visit some of them, then you both would have an answer for lonliness. Take your eyes off of your situation and turn them outward. You will be amazed with the needs that you, especially can meet. Christ ministered to the masses. We are His disciples, we are to do as He did. Get out and minister. If you are afraid, feel the fear and do it anyway! You will be pleasantly surprised with what happens. I guarantee it! This advice is very good. You can’t be lonely if you are serving others. There are so many people who are bedridden or disabled and really have no choices but to be alone. Why you could go and visit some of them, then you both would have an answer for lonliness. Take your eyes off of your situation and turn them outward. You will be amazed with the needs that you, especially can meet. Christ ministered to the masses. We are His disciples, we are to do as He did. Get out and minister. If you are afraid, feel the fear and do it anyway! You will be pleasantly surprised with what happens. I guarantee it!

]]> By: brentriggs http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/comment-page-1/#comment-286 brentriggs Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:06:06 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2484#comment-286 And Donna, thank you for confirming the truth that the way for Christians to deal with depression is SELFLESSNESS. There's nothing a CHOICE to quit thinking about "me" if I want to shake out of depression. And Donna, thank you for confirming the truth that the way for Christians to deal with depression is SELFLESSNESS. There’s nothing a CHOICE to quit thinking about “me” if I want to shake out of depression.

]]> By: brentriggs http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/comment-page-1/#comment-285 brentriggs Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:02:32 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2484#comment-285 I would agree with "blunt" but not "harsh".... harsh has the tone of not really caring about the other person and that is not the case. Sometimes the doctor has to cut, stick, poke and scrub... "harsh" in that sense, but the motivation is to heal. The run of the mill depression that Christians experience is both unnecessary and completely "curable" with a dose of selflessness and some CHOICES of the will. Now, having said that, I don't dismiss the effectiveness of someone else's approach either. We are not all alike. I sure that some of you, especially the ladies would be much "softer" in your communication. Neither approach is ALWAYS right or always wrong... in fact, often it takes a combination of both to be effective. I would agree with “blunt” but not “harsh”…. harsh has the tone of not really caring about the other person and that is not the case. Sometimes the doctor has to cut, stick, poke and scrub… “harsh” in that sense, but the motivation is to heal. The run of the mill depression that Christians experience is both unnecessary and completely “curable” with a dose of selflessness and some CHOICES of the will.

Now, having said that, I don’t dismiss the effectiveness of someone else’s approach either. We are not all alike. I sure that some of you, especially the ladies would be much “softer” in your communication. Neither approach is ALWAYS right or always wrong… in fact, often it takes a combination of both to be effective.

]]> By: Larry C http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/comment-page-1/#comment-284 Larry C Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:07:02 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2484#comment-284 I really appreciate what you have to say. It is so right and true. I don't often comment and reply but felt I had to on this. Being downcast is so often the result of being centered on self only. We can't be our best without the presence of the church in our lives. Larry C. I really appreciate what you have to say. It is so right and true. I don’t often comment and reply but felt I had to on this. Being downcast is so often the result of being centered on self only. We can’t be our best without the presence of the church in our lives. Larry C.

]]> By: Donna http://www.seriousfaith.com/2009/11/question-im-lonely-struggling-what-can-i-do/comment-page-1/#comment-283 Donna Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:36:52 +0000 http://www.seriousfaith.com/?p=2484#comment-283 Brent, Your response is a bit harsh/blunt; however, I can testify to the truth of your advice. I struggle with depression (not medical/clinical). I do find the best cure for it is reaching out to someone else's needs. Yes, I still hurt and I am still lonely but I refuse to allow Satan to manipulate my circumstances so I cannot be a blessing in the Kingdom of God. Sometimes I feel as if God is the only person I have that I can truly and freely share "me". I have discovered others don't have the time or they don't care or they are so burdened that they cannot hear or my hurts offends them or they feel sorry for me. All I want is a listening ear and to know someone cares. Well Someone does care! The Creator! The Savior! Isn't that better than the created or the saved? Dear Lonely, we are God's workmanship created for good works! We are living stones (lithos not petra). You see stones for a building are specifically chosen and chiseled and placed in alignment with the Cornerstone which is Christ (2Peter 2:2-8 and Ephesians 2:19-22). If you are not involved with a body of with those who practice what the Bible teaches, you are a stone by yourself. Come, join a body of believers and be apart of His church. I do not know your circumstances but I do know this. Since Satan cannot take our salvation away, he can try to make us as ineffective as possible so that God's Kingdom is hampered and so God will not receive the glory He is due. I tell you this not to incite guilt but encourage you that He is bigger than our depression and can even use our circumstances to minister to others. This is my hope for I struggle in my own circumstances. May the God of peace comfort you. Brent,
Your response is a bit harsh/blunt; however, I can testify to the truth of your advice. I struggle with depression (not medical/clinical). I do find the best cure for it is reaching out to someone else’s needs. Yes, I still hurt and I am still lonely but I refuse to allow Satan to manipulate my circumstances so I cannot be a blessing in the Kingdom of God.

Sometimes I feel as if God is the only person I have that I can truly and freely share “me”. I have discovered others don’t have the time or they don’t care or they are so burdened that they cannot hear or my hurts offends them or they feel sorry for me. All I want is a listening ear and to know someone cares. Well Someone does care! The Creator! The Savior! Isn’t that better than the created or the saved?

Dear Lonely, we are God’s workmanship created for good works! We are living stones (lithos not petra). You see stones for a building are specifically chosen and chiseled and placed in alignment with the Cornerstone which is Christ (2Peter 2:2-8 and Ephesians 2:19-22). If you are not involved with a body of with those who practice what the Bible teaches, you are a stone by yourself. Come, join a body of believers and be apart of His church.

I do not know your circumstances but I do know this. Since Satan cannot take our salvation away, he can try to make us as ineffective as possible so that God’s Kingdom is hampered and so God will not receive the glory He is due.

I tell you this not to incite guilt but encourage you that He is bigger than our depression and can even use our circumstances to minister to others. This is my hope for I struggle in my own circumstances.

May the God of peace comfort you.

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