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Tempted to go to Church
Ninny:
Hi David,
I don't remember where you said you live, but you know there are a lot of places for people to have social contact without doing something you don't really feel comfortable doing. Look in the newspaper for your community and see what kinds of workshops they might be having. Local theater groups, community awareness programs, usually there are lots of organizations where you can volunteer for stuff like "meals on wheels". I don't know what all might be available where you are.
You need to remember that YOU are responsible for YOU and that you have to step up and help yourself. I'm not saying you can't seek help, yes if you need to do that DO it! No church can really satisfy the need to be nurtured, they will for awhile but very soon you will stumble and eventually people will let you down. God will NEVER let you down! Helping others is a good way to restore your focus. When you help people who can't help themselves you suddenly don't feel so alone.
I wish I had a better answer for you. Years ago when I was a new "army wife" an older lady told me this, "Life is just what you make it, you will find yourself alone a lot being an army wife, so you can sit around and feel sorry for yourself or you can get out and see what the community offers, there are lots of things to do to take your mind off of your problems and to keep you busy." I always remembered that when we went to a new place and I was never lonely or homesick!
Wish I had some nuggets of wisdom, but I guess I don't! :-\
Kathy ;)
Dave in Tenn:
Not to pile one, as I very much understand the social isolation you feel and pretty much live it here in my little place in the world as well, but I almost can't imagine a worse place to help your mental health than church. The Gospel is precious and takes time to filter its way from the Preaching and Hearing to the Believing and doing. To sit silently while someone preaches Doctrines that are not just wrong, but evil, would take much more of a toll on me than periods of loneliness. It can't help things to be split in two like that.
I would agree very strongly with those suggesting options in community or volunteer work to get that interaction most of us need. We are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. That's where we can 'do' the gospel in humility.
saladking:
Thankyou for all of your replies.
I can remember a couple of months before I began posting on this forum this temptation hit me of going back to my old Church, which was crazy. I planned on returning the next Sunday. This feeling of needing social contact was driving me to return to the Church. At the time I had been stressed I think and it was the low following the stress that bought about this temptation. Anyhow it didn't last long and before the next Sunday arrived I had changed my mind and wondered what on earth had come over me.
The difference this time is that it is a different Church. I think that I really don't want to feel this desire. It is unusual. I'm wondering now if perhaps after a few days this temptation will pass again and I will again be pleased that I'm out of the Church. :)
If GROW continues, I should not need to go to Church for social contact. I have just been worried that it will fold, and I think it might be wise to have something social in place in case. It would be better if I don't end up going to Church again. I'm aware too that I could end up disappointed.
David.
aqrinc:
David,
Just a few OT Scriptures that you can always rely on whenever you get lonely or worried.
We all long for things we can see and feel; The unseen Things Of GOD are what we need.
Psa 73:28
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
Psa 115:11
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.
Psa 118: 8-9
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
Pro 3: 5-7
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Pro 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
george. ;D
Dave in Tenn:
I think 'temptation' is the right word, David. :D
I found an old book a while after I'd come to believe. "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis, the author of the Narnia novels and other works. I may be wrong, but I believe he was Anglican. THe book itself was a sort of non-denominational 'primer' on an overview of christian theology written for the common man, and unbelievers. He actually does a very good job of detailing in plain talk many of the teachings of orthodox christianity.
The last time I read it was a looooong time ago, and all I really remember was that it was a 'very helpful' book in my christian life at the time, and I recommended it to others. Well, I picked it up after believing the Gospel of the Kingdom. I couldn't believe that I'd ever thought something so 'wrong' was ever worthwhile. Though I have been 'out of church' for a long time, that put a few 20-penny nails in the coffin of any desire I had left to go back. I was sitting there in my chair arguing with a book! No church wants ME in their pews if God gave me strength to say what I REALLY think. ;D
Hang in there. God is able to make you stand.
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