« previous next »
Pages: 1   Go Down

Author Topic: Feeling a bit discouraged  (Read 2293 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline GTAsoldier

  • Elder
  • *****
  • Posts: 444
  • Faith: Christian and failing at it
Feeling a bit discouraged
« on: November 12, 2012, 11:03:53 PM »
I'm feeling a bit discouraged at the moment. I'm still struggling with the many things that have impaired my relationship with God. I'm constantly asking God for forgiveness of the many sins that I commit but it's getting difficult to forgive myself.

In addition, I'm quite lamenting the state of christians in general (at least in my area). I know that all of us have fallen short. But I can't help but feel that we're not doing so good for others. Or maybe it's just me.
the reason why I say this that one person I often communicated with on tumblr had her spiritual struggles and I have tried to offer her comfort and encouragement. When she got more frustrated, she openly professed to being an agnostic. I had hoped that things would get better for her. I just made the soul-hurting discovery that she committed full apostasy. :(

Prayers needed,

GTA
Logged
God be merciful to us sinners.

Quote from: IoanC
the best way of conveying God's love to people is through your own presence and deeds.
No longer posting on this forum. Thanks to all the helpful people who inspired me. God bless.

Offline Shiny

  • Site Supporter
  • Toumarches
  • *****
  • Posts: 13,265
  • Paint It Red
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2012, 11:15:27 PM »
Lord have mercy.

PS Just saw you added me on tumblr. Cool.
Logged
“There is your brother, naked, crying, and you stand there confused over the choice of an attractive floor covering.”

– St. Ambrose of Milan

Offline LizaSymonenko

  • Слава Ісусу Христу!!! Glory to Jesus Christ!!!
  • Global Moderator
  • Hoplitarches
  • ******
  • Posts: 15,605
    • St.Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral
  • Faith: Eastern Orthodox
  • Jurisdiction: Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A.
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2012, 11:46:51 PM »

Lord, have mercy!

GTA, realize she's not the last one you will "fail" to reach...but, keep trying!
Happens to me all the time!  Breaks my heart each time, but, I keep trying over and over!

Many are called, but, unfortunately few are chosen.

Keep the faith, and may the Lord strengthen you, dispel your discouragement and aid you in continuing His good work!
Logged
Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.
—St. Isaac of Syria

Offline yeshuaisiam

  • Protokentarchos
  • *********
  • Posts: 4,695
  • A pulling horse cannot kick.
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2012, 11:19:35 PM »
Lord have mercy!

Brother we are all sinners, we have all fallen short of the glory of God.  Try to stop sinning, I'm trying all the time.  Let her see your example and try through that to steer away from being agnostic.
Logged
I learned how to be more frugal and save money at http://www.livingpress.com

Offline Maximum Bob

  • Archon
  • ********
  • Posts: 3,474
  • Personal Text? We can have personal text?
  • Faith: Eastern Orthodox
  • Jurisdiction: Antiochian
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2012, 12:37:57 AM »
Lord have mercy.
Logged
Psalm 37:23 The Lord guides a man safely in the way he should go.

Prov. 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Offline Dominika

  • Troublesome Sheep
  • Global Moderator
  • Protokentarchos
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,847
  • Serbian/Polish
    • My youtube channel
  • Faith: Orthodox Christian
  • Jurisdiction: POC, but my heart belongs to Antioch
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2012, 06:45:38 AM »
Lord have mercy!
Logged
Pray for persecuted Christians, especially in Serbian Kosovo and Raška, Egypt and Syria

My Orthodox liturgical blog "For what eat, while you can fast" in Polish (videos featuring chants in different languages)

Offline mabsoota

  • Archon
  • ********
  • Posts: 2,859
  • Kyrie eleison
  • Faith: Christian
  • Jurisdiction: Orthodox (Coptic)
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2012, 10:09:37 AM »
sometimes people go through agnostic periods before coming closer to God with a stronger faith.
i hope and pray this happens to your computer friend.
all u can do is pray and then leave it in God's hands. sometimes just keeping in touch and being a good friend is all it takes to gently push someone back to God's love.
keep searching for God and showing mercy to those around u, and God will show Himself.
may God guide you.
Logged

Offline Anastasia1

  • My warrior name is Beyoncé Pad Thai
  • OC.net guru
  • *******
  • Posts: 1,380
  • Faith: Oriental Orthodox
  • Jurisdiction: Armenian
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2012, 11:23:17 AM »
Lord have mercy.
Logged
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 2:6)

Offline recent convert

  • Orthodox Chrisitan
  • Archon
  • ********
  • Posts: 2,231
  • St.David of Wales pray for us
  • Faith: Orthodox Christian
  • Jurisdiction: Patriarchate of Antioch
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2012, 11:39:58 AM »
Lord, have mercy!

I know the Lord says all sins will be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit & aside from possible examples, I would not want to venture to define this. This agnostic individual must be in some anguish & if her heart is loving, I would hardly give up hope for her in any sense & just keep praying for her. Personaly I could see someone like her being judged righteous while I may stumble.
Logged
Antiochian OC NA

Beware the wrath of the guardians of "love."

Offline marigold

  • Archon
  • ********
  • Posts: 2,431
  • Faith: Greek Orthodox
  • Jurisdiction: Metropolis of Atlanta
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #9 on: November 15, 2012, 10:27:08 PM »
Lord, have mercy on GTAsoldier.
Logged

Offline Maria

  • Boldly Proclaiming True Orthodox Christianity
  • Toumarches
  • ************
  • Posts: 14,023
  • O most Holy Theotokos, save us.
    • Saint Euphrosynos Cafe Discussion Forum
  • Faith: TrueGenuine Orthodox Christian
  • Jurisdiction: GOC under Archbishop Stephanos
Re: Feeling a bit discouraged
« Reply #10 on: November 15, 2012, 10:28:47 PM »
Lord have mercy.
Logged
The memory of God should be treasured in our hearts like the precious pearl mentioned in the Holy Gospel. Our life's goal should be to nurture and contemplate God always within, and never let it depart, for this steadfastness will drive demons away from us. - Paraphrased from St. Philotheus of Sinai
Writings from the Philokalia: On Prayer of the Heart,
Translated from the Russian by E. Kadloubovksy and G.E.H. Palmer, Faber and Faber, London, Boston, 1992 printing.
Pages: 1   Go Up
« previous next »