Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 2/11/2006

Question
Hi, First let me say i was saved in 1985. Since then, i've been a deacon, music leader, and a member of a christian singing trio. I have anxiety, and depression, that i'm being treated for with not much success. I am at a point where
i've stopped singing in the trio,and have stopped
everything else also. I sit and wonder what the
purpose of doing anything is, we're born we die,
what purpose are the things in between?
I'm pretty much the exact opposite of what i used to be. The thing is i don't care about anything anymore. My thoughts are, you work and strive all your life, what good does it do, when you're going to die anyway. After you're gone everything you've done will have made no difference. I wonder what GOD thinks of me, does he still care?
I feel useless, why should he care. Yet i still need to know, what does GOD think of me while i'm depressed, and anxious? All my years in the church
tell me one thing, my mind tells me another. It's a struggle indeed. Sometimes i just want to give up, forget the struggle and live like i want to.
I can't help but wonder, what does GOD think of this whole mess. Chuck.

Answer
Hi Chuck,
   I certainly sympathize with you and there are many people who get in the situation you find yourself.
   Honestly, It is very difficult for me in a short paragraph or two to give you the solution or answer you are looking for.    It has taken years for you to get where you are and it will take some time (not a lot), but some time to overcome your depression.
   I am not a professional counselor...and have no desire to be one, but I do know that word of God and know that God gives us the strength and guidance we need to live our lives victorious for Him.   I will try and point you in the rigth direction.
     You seem to have completely given up...which shows you have lost sight of God's presence and power in your life.    
    Please forgive me for being straight forward, but in a short paragraph or two that is about all I can do.  
    I have a message that is addressed to preachers and Christian workers that deals with the trials and difficulties that come our way.    God has said a lot about it in His word.    James 1:1-9 were the first words God spoke to man for over 400 years.   (James was the first book of the NT that was written).    Carefully read and study what God says to us.
    The message is at http://bible-truth.org/msg27.html  which in on my web site Bible-truth.org   It has helped a lot of people.
     May I suggest one thing further....This afternoon get your Bible and go visit some lost person you know of and tell them about the Lord Jesus Christ and that He died for their sins.  Seek to witness to someone at work or in your neighborhood, or a relative or lost friend.  Visit members of your church...SS class...widows, and needy.   Do something nice for someone.  Join the group that has the rest home ministry...or start one yourself and begin to be a blessing to others.  Don't talk to others about your problems, but seek to help them witht theirs.  Visit with the pastor and tell him how much you appreciate him. (Don't go to him to tell him of your woes)  Be an encouragement to Him....give him $20 and tell him to go buy that book he wants or take his wife out to eat.   In other words....get busy...living as the Lord clearly tells us we are to live.   
     I you are not living like a Christian...you won't feel like one.... Knowing the Word of God is a wonderful thing...but if we do not use it...seek to serve the Lord Jesus by serving others....we are like a someone who have over eaten.  We are fat, stuffed and uncomfortable...      
      You are not really serving the Lord...so naturally you feel useless....but with your background the Lord can greatly use you....so let him.   Put some legs to you knowledge.
      Wednesday night go to prayer meeting and ask God to let you be a blessing to someone. Do the same thing Sunday.  Pray that God will lead you to someone who needs you.   It maybe that you just listen to someone who is going through hard times too.  DO NOT tell the person your troubles....but say you will pray with them and then make you a list and start praying for folks.
       Can you see what I am suggesting?   I do not know you, but as a brother in Christ...I do care and would like to help.   You can sit under the Juniper tree and say "woe is me"...or you can get up and let the Lord use it.   He will not drop it out of the sky in your lap...but will lead your footsteps as you seek direction in service to Him.
      If you have further comments or questions please write.   God bless you brother.....   I have never been quite to the place you seem to be...but I have been awful close....But I thank God, I got busy and in time the peace and joy of my salvation returned.
     I also have several messages at http://bible-truth.org/Sermons.html#014  which might help.   

Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org