I give up...

[Bobtheduck]

I feel like I can't do anything... Like everything is straight out of my control. Everything good in my life somehow turns bad, and I'm giving up... At least fora while... Despair just hit it's greatest point tonight, but at least I didn't blow up like I did the other night, and I hit porn sites again and got to the point where i feel instead of trying to fix all these problems, I'm going to just flow with them... maybe they won't be so bad if I don't fight back... I'm limiting my computer time to work only for the next two weeks at least, but maybe for a month... All these comfort things will continue to be comfort things unless I cut myself off from them entirely and fill up on something that's actually worthwhile, like God and school. I would like to be banned for 2 weeks, but I may be gone for a month... I'd like prayer... A lot...

I want a relationship, but I know I can't handle one, really... I mean, the lonliness is bad, but entering a relationship right now would be really bad...

I want money and stuff... I wanted to save for a PS3, I wanted to save for an HD-TV, I wanted movies and games... Really, though, I don't have the money to cover essentials right now. Medical bills, gas, and insurance and registration stuff on my new car (got a 90 oldsmobile as a gift, though it isnt' mine yet... I likely won't be driving it for a few months, to give me time to get registration, new tires, insurance, and, oh yeah, my license...) I'm going to give up all reservations I had about choosing what Job I had, if this burn tonight doesn't work... I'm gonna go for every burger flipping job out there...

In other words, I give up...So... Hopefully this next month proves valuable for me, but until then, Au revoir.

[ssj2gohan61]

hey man i'll be prayin for you

[heero yuy 95]

i know the feeling. i'll be praying.

[meboeck]

I know you won't be reading this, but I am still praying for you.

[Syreth]

I'm praying too, don't grow weary while doing good -- it's rewarding. I hope your time spend doing meaningful things is profitable and that you make a lot of progress in your life in a positive direction.

[freerock1]

Sometimes it's at the moment that we feel about ready to give up, that something breaks in the spiritual realm for us. There is a spiritual battle going on, and although we may not see the answer right away, that doesn't mean our prayers have gone unanswered. (Daniel 10 shows us a great example of this.)

Lifting you up, bro. Keep ya head up.

[Yumie]

Just so you guys know (In case you don't notice the line through his name,) Bob's request was granted, he is now banned for the next two weeks. I'd like to encourage everyone to pray for him while he is away, that he'd be able to get everything straightened out and that God would use this time in his life in an amazing way.

[Artist4Jesus89]

I will pray!

[Doubleshadow]

I'll pray for you, we are pulling for you here.

[Tommy]

i`ll be prayin for you, my man!

[dragonshimmer]

I will definitely be praying for you...please don't give up in your struggle! The enemy strikes us when we are weakest. He finds a foothold (whether it's the heart, what you do for entertainment, anything) and latches on. Keep up the good fight! With God, you can do it! I pray that these few weeks away will be good for you and your spiritual relationship with God. I think you're on the right track by forcing yourself to do other things for a while. I did the same thing recently so that I could focus on letting God heal the wounds in my life.

Being lonely is hard for anyone, but I think it's especially hard for people once they reach mid 20's...it seems like everyone around you is married, and it makes it hard. The fact that you KNOW entering a relationship right now would be bad shows that you have maturity in your understanding. Just remember that God knows what's in your heart. It might take a while (or even a long time) for Him to fill that void of loneliness with a person, but for now, focus on Him. When you're lonely, run headlong into the arms of your Father so He can comfort you. I think it's what He wants us to do. It's hard to get used to, but eventually I think you'll find that you can start saying "My heart is already taken...it belongs to God" and that you'll find comfort in it. This is something I'm personally working on.

I'll also pray for you about the job situation...I can understand. It's going to be tempting when you finally get a steady money flow to go out and buy those things you want. I reccommend sitting down and budgeting your finances. Go ahead and give yourself a little allowance...you deserve SOME fun now and then, yes? But just make sure it's not overboard and stick to your budget.

I know you're gone for now, but if you come back and read this, just know that we're praying for you, and you CAN do this God bless.

[starwarsboy90]

I'll definitly be praying for you. i've been in your shoes at least once. However, I ceased trying to control my life and gave God control over it, afterwhich, my life got way better and there was little want, but only to serve the Lord. God provides, indefinitly. I'll definitly be praying for you.

Benan

[USSRGirl]

I'll keep you in my prayers. I've been in many situations (particularly with financial troubles) where it seems like every door is being such on you. Sometimes it helps to just take a step back, and let God open a new one.

-Temulin

[soul alive]

It is always so difficult to go through the times of trial and be broken by God. But it breaks apart your worldly self and allows God to form you more and more into His image. I pray that this time of trial may be of good use to God in you.

I agree that your recognition that you could not handle a relationship right now is very good. If you force yourself into a relationship you are not ready for, you end up hurting everyone involved and prolong the time needed for you to be ready. Be patient and wait in God, don't let it consume you, it will make you miserable beyond belief.

Waiting may be hard, but in the end, all of it is worth it to one day find the person God wants you to spend the rest of your life with. I don't believe that there is one person out there for you, and you just have to find them... among the billions of people on the planet. I believe that there are several possibilities out there, and that through varying circumstances, God will bring you to one who will be perfect for you.

Think of it this way, would you rather have a relationship with someone who is 'just someone' or a relationship with one God has intended for you. What God has planned for us is so much better than what we could ever do on our own, why should we seek out anything less?

I totally sympathize with your financial plight. Taking 19 credits with 60+ hours of homework a week doesn't leave time for an actual job, and work-study money isn't much at all. Hang in there.

[Ryupower]

I'll pray.
Read Galatians 5:19-21

It'll blow your mind.
Also, Jesus said to repant and SIN NO MORE.

( I just gave all this to another person a few moments ago )

Don't go with the flow, just PRAY!! And have FAITH in the LORD your G-d!

[Bobtheduck]

Since I started this thread, I've gone through a couple more serious bouts of depression, and am starting to have problems with some things, namely my comparison of the nativity in Luke and the Nativity in Matthew (not even talking about the Geneology) It's a bit shaking because of the massive implications of it for me... I'd like some serious answers on it, but my dad just sorta gave me a sidestepping answer... "I guess that's because that's how God intended it to be written." Here's a hint to parents and pastors out there, when someone has a faith shaking question, don't push it to the side... At least look into it...

So, I'm still not too well...

I'm not gonna try to use my computer for tape transfer anymore... Premiere annoys me too much, and the whole process is too much of a headache... I'll be looking for any job I can find within reasonable distance soon... At minimum wage, I'll need at least half time to thrive... By thrive, I mean have enough to pay off new costs (like insurance and gas) and have something left over for fun.

Hmm... That's about all I have to say...

[Syreth]

I'll keep praying for you. About those difficult passages... have you ever noticed that they only seem difficult when we're going through difficult times? At least I have. It's almost as if I'm asking for doubts when I'm in that frame of mind. I'd be glad to talk to you about this if you would still like to have a serious conversation about it.

[Puritan]

I will pray for you during these new problems you are having. And I would urge you to take the time to either find a pastor who will discuss these passages with you or find the thoughts of several biblical scholars on these passages. It can be easy to get confused about historical data (I've had the same type of worries myself), but I have found that honest study of problems like this has resolved my confusion over certain passages of scripture. I would also be happy to discuss this issue with you if you wish.

[Ryupower]

I will continue to pray for you, and did you read the scripture I gave you?

[EireWolf]

Hey Bobtheduck, it's good to see you back. I'm sorry that you're having problems though. I am praying for you.

Don't be afraid of the doubts you are having; I think doubts are sometimes very important steps in the journey of faith. But you are right that they shouldn't be simply shrugged aside. I'm curious about the massive implications you referred to; please PM me about it if you are so inclined (just in case it might spark a theological debate, it's best to PM instead of posting details here). And do continue to seek answers, by asking an obliging pastor (or knowledgeable layperson) and/or by researching it on your own.

Trust God -- He is who He is. But I doubt He minds you asking questions about things in His word that confuse you.

[meboeck]

I'm glad your're back! I am still praying for you, am I'm glad you are willing to face your doubts instead of completely giving up on Christianity.

[LostChild]

Just so you guys know (In case you don't notice the line through his name,) Bob's request was granted, he is now banned for the next two weeks. I'd like to encourage everyone to pray for him while he is away, that he'd be able to get everything straightened out and that God would use this time in his life in an amazing way.

I really think it takes a lot to request being banned. So, as you're reading this, just know that I totally admire you for asking that. I'm praying things will work out at least partially the way you want]can[/i] move mountains.

[Heart of Sword]

I was banned for a couple of weeks by request because I wanted to get away from here and was having trouble leaving. I ended up being gone for a few months, but now that I'm back, I'm feeling a lot more refreshed! I suggest that everyone request to be banned every now and then. Take a break once in a while.

[shooraijin]

Actually, let's not encourage that. While some people may have valued the time to clear their heads, it *is* a headache for the mod staff to track who is temp-banished and who is not.

[Ashley]

I suggest that everyone request to be banned every now and then. Take a break once in a while.

I disagree strongly for 2 reasons.

First, banning was meant to be a serious thing. It's supposed to be permanent. I don't want people just flippantly treating it as a temporary "break"--it's a disciplinary action we regret even having to implement.

Second, it's VERY difficult for the staff to keep track of who's been banned for how long--the system is automated to a degree, but still, it's asking my staff to do even more for a basically pointless reason. I agree you need moderation in your internet life, but that should be a burden placed on YOU, not on the staff. We are not your parents.