havin a rainy day

one8trevo · 04-21-2004, 06:54 PM

i've been in a down mood for the last couple of days. i think the problem is that i dont really have good christian friends at my school. i dont have someone to really encourage me throughout the day. i mean, i have really great quality friends who have the same morals and stuff as me, but none of them are really "one fire" for God...like im striving so hard to be. the great christian friends i do have are in other schools...and they just so happen to be 3 guys...and my parents have a lil rule that i cant call guys...so, how am i sposed to have good christian friends, if i cant talk to them? i mean...these guys are really great christians, and like i said before theyre "on fire" for God. so does anyone have any advice? (sry for blabbing)

Fish Boy · 04-21-2004, 08:55 PM

have you tried fellowship within your church? i know personally that even thats difficult to do with hypocrites ramped in the church.

i would just lift it up to God. just pray that He will bring those that love Him into your life. i did that when i couldn't find those people at school that were on fire for Him. and my sophomore year He brought a ton of christians my way...

just trust that God will bring them into your life.

J.W4Christ · 04-23-2004, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by one8trevo

i've been in a down mood for the last couple of days. i think the problem is that i dont really have good christian friends at my school. i dont have someone to really encourage me throughout the day. i mean, i have really great quality friends who have the same morals and stuff as me, but none of them are really "one fire" for God...like im striving so hard to be. the great christian friends i do have are in other schools...and they just so happen to be 3 guys...and my parents have a lil rule that i cant call guys...so, how am i sposed to have good christian friends, if i cant talk to them? i mean...these guys are really great christians, and like i said before theyre "on fire" for God. so does anyone have any advice? (sry for blabbing)

how about your church friends??

Andrew · 04-23-2004, 08:46 AM

You are thirteen years old. You are going to have days where you feel down and out. You will feel lonely. That is part of being a teenager. You could have a million friends, and you would still have these days. You just need to do your best to rationally weigh the situation. It will help you to realize that this one day will pass. This one week will pass. And when it is over, you will feel happy and joyous again. Until then, look to God. Read His word. Talk to him. Focus on things of eternal significance. Life isn't about friends. It isn't about popularity. Just try to smile, and look up. Realize how extravegantly blessed you are. You have loving parents. There is a God who created you. Not only created you, he loved you enough to die for you. Realize how lucky you are to even have a phone in your house. Just be positive. It helps.

And about your parents not letting you call guys. That is very very wise. At your age you DO NOT need to be focusing your time and thoughts on friendships with guys. Wait a few years until you have matured some more.

barefooter · 04-23-2004, 01:59 PM

As one who has struggled with curl-up-in-a-fetal-position-and-wish-to-dissapear depression for years now, I can't give you any garaunteed fixers for anything serious, but I can offer you some advice on how to at least deal with the day-to-day sadness of this situation.

1). You wish to be "on fire for God." This takes effort on your part; don't just pray and expect to suddenly be the next beacon of righteousness. Study your Bible, pray for guidance in understanding what you read, and strive for righteousness in your day-to-day life. That includes being selective about who you spend quality time with, what you allow yourself to be subjected to in the areas of music, literature and film/TV, and the conversations that you take part in.

None of us will acheive perfection in this life, but God is continually perfecting us; living a righteous life can be hard, but it's not impossible.

2). There is power in positive thinking. Some instances of depression aren't treatable without serious changes in diet, exercise and chemical intake, but from what you've described, I gather that this will be a passing problem.

Thought comes before action, and generally, thought comes before emotion (with the exception of indiviuals who are chemically imbalanced); happiness, in most cases, is a choice.

3). Accept that your parents don't like for you to call guys. There may be some kind of miscommunication about your intentions in calling these guys, but your parents are just looking out for their "little girl."

Obviously, you know these guys in some context outside of school, and I suggest that--if they are, in fact, the only real source of encouragement that you have--you enjoy the time that you do get to spend with them, but don't become dependent on them for spiitual eNrichment; at your age (and I do not saypthis co~descendingly), you are vulnerable in close relationships with the opposite sex. If you need some kind of spiritual mentor, I'm sure that there is a woman at your church that will take on this role, be it a Sunday School teacher, a youth worker, or just a member of the congregation.

4). Make an effort to make Christian friends at your school. I guess that it's possible, but I doubt that you're the only person there that is serious about their faith.

Finally, remember that our joy comes from the Lord, nd not From theptemporal relationships and situations of this life.

ajacob · 04-23-2004, 05:56 PM

relax, all of my close friends apart from one are atheists and in some bizarre way I think its made my faith stronger as I've learnt to be a lot more open-minded and tolerant of people while following (or at least trying to follow) God's word.

Don't get me wrong, support from others can help but the biggest steps will have to come from you in strengthening your faith. Try searching the Bible, preferably the teachings of Jesus, he gives some great advice in this matter. Remember, everyone has doubts but you can get through them and end up a stronger person.

one8trevo · 04-24-2004, 08:49 AM

thank you EVERYONE for all your advice. it really really helps. i wanted to letcha know that i was thinking one night and i just decided that i needed to give it all up to the One who can help me. i realized i cant do all that much about it. my walk with God is getting so much closer..and im SO entirely excited. and im trusting Him to bring me someone i can talk to. its amazing...i've found life so much simpler now.i have some really great church friends but like one of you said, thats sorta hard cuz some of them are hypocrites..but im still praying... ok anyways...thanks again for all your replies!!!! you guys are great!!!

P.S.....(im 14...not 13..3 months till 15...sry for the correction...*smiles*)