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Post by Adrienne on Apr 23, 2016 21:17:07 GMT -5
Dear friends, this isn't stand/marriage-related... But can you please help me pray for a girl at my church?
Her name is Perla (Pearl in English) and she is 16... I gave her a birthday hug today and wished her a great year and she confided in me that she has been experiencing a lot of depression. I shared my own (extensive) experiences and many Biblical verses of comfort and told her I was always there to talk and would be praying for her. But it hurts my heart to see this young girl hurting, and I would really appreciate the support in prayer for her.
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Post by fordlindsey5314 on Apr 23, 2016 21:37:37 GMT -5
Praying for her! Depression is awful, it's part of why I'm where I'm at today. Bless her heart, so young too, that's very sad.
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Post by Adrienne on Apr 23, 2016 21:46:49 GMT -5
I feel at a loss. She told me she has felt suicidal in the past and has tried to commit suicide. She said she has tried to talk to her parents about things but they aren't very open. I encouraged her as much as I could and told her that she should talk to her parents about this too but that I wasn't going to force the issue with her (of talking to her parents about it). I just feel such a burden on my heart for her, especially because I have been exactly in her shoes before.
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Post by Mary H on Apr 24, 2016 7:45:44 GMT -5
Praying
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Post by Sharon on Apr 24, 2016 10:53:51 GMT -5
What a huge blessing that God has brought you into her life Adrienne! I will be praying for her
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Post by Eric W. on Apr 24, 2016 17:18:34 GMT -5
I have typed out several replies and deleted them all. They all came across in a negative sound when I reread them. This one might too, I don't know. It saddens me that the girl doesn't feel she can speak to her parents. Depression is hard, and while I am sure you are willing to talk with her Adrienne, you aren't always going to be available for her all the time. I am going to pray, that she find the ability to talk to God.
When I was depressed, medicine just allowed me to work around it. It didn't go away, I didn't work through it. It was like I put it on hold, and carried it in my back pocket. It was still there, if I sat down I could feel the lump, but I didn't have to "deal" with it.
When I finally brought it to God, spoke my fears, told of my discouragement, and gave it over to him, then he showed me how to work through it.
I don't want to water the seriousness of depression down. Especially if she is having suicidal thoughts, or attempts. She may need additional medical help to let her process and talk with God in a different atmosphere.
Father, I thank you for this day, for bringing, Perla, before, Adrienne, and giving her the ability to speak up about what is going on. Lord, we lift this girl up to you, that you may weigh on her heart and she may open up to you, the true healer of every affliction. Speak peace and comfort to her mind, body, and spirit. Allow her to see and feel your love for her. Touch her life in the way, that only you truly can. Father we ask all of this knowing that it is already done in your will and timing, Amen.
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Post by Adrienne on Apr 24, 2016 18:49:02 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your support in prayers, I really appreciate it.
Thank you Eric for your response, it doesn't come out negatively at all. I agree with you... I'm very sad that she doesn't feel like she can talk with her parents about this. I encouraged her to do so but also recognized (verbally to her) that I knew it was difficult. I also gave her my phone number and said we could talk any time, but yes, I agree - I can't always be there!
I told her that she should pray, and she expressed that she felt like she had sinned so much that God didn't want to listen to her anymore. I showed her through various verses that that isn't true and that God's grace and love is far larger than any sin we can commit. I think that helped some, it seemed to click with her.
I plan to continue encouraging her to pray, and to think positively, and to remember how much God loves her and how special she is. I also will continue encouraging her to talk to her parents and friends about the way she's feeling... I don't feel like I can break her confidence by going and telling her parents everything we discussed, since she said that she had tried to commit suicide in the past, but didn't really want that now, just was still experiencing sadness.
I just want her to know that she has safe places to talk things out, and that it's okay to feel sad but that God can help her... I don't know if that makes sense at all. I'm struggling with this and I have been praying about it a lot.
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