Being Christ's light while battling depression and anxiety

  • Thread starter Thread starter roseproject
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

roseproject

Guest
One of the things that set Christians apart (or should, at least) is the joy and love they radiate from being loved by Christ. I know people with this joy. They radiate it even when they themselves are going through stuff. They are not necessarily smiling 24/7, but you can sense a joy in their person.

I struggle with anxiety and some depressive episodes from some personal and family issues. I worry that the way I carry myself on bad days may turn people off; not being conductive to being the light of Christ as I should be. There are days when I don’t have the strength to put on a happy face and just want to be weak for a while. I just want to retreat at times while at work and not interact with anyone.

I give Christ my weakness in hopes that He will somehow make up for what I’m lacking, but I wonder sometimes if my weakness in this area will turn minds away from Christ’s light…or, if someone sees me who knows I’m Catholic during a bad day, that they’ll think “If this is what being a Christian looks like, I don’t want to be a part of it”.

Does anyone else struggle with this? Are there any note-worthy saints who struggled similarly?

Pax Christi 🙂
 
Last edited:
Then again, I’ve been told on many occasions at work that I have a smile that lights up a room. I hope that at least can do some good. Can’t always muster it though.
 
Sounds like you struggle with despair.

Here are some saints that struggled with it as well:

aleteia.org

8 saints who suffered from depression, but never gave up — Aleteia

They might not have been clinically diagnosed as depressed, but from their writings and biography there's good reason to believe they were. Each of these 8 saints persevered through their depression and grew in holiness—and you can too, with help from God's grace (and medicine)!
aleteia.org

One thing I can tell you that helped me with my despair is by praying the rosary everyday and volunteering at the church. Keeping close to Jesus through His Joyful Mother really keeps me going and seeing those smiling faces as I sacrifice my time for them is just something you have to experience. I’ll be praying for you to get well soon. Hang in there.

God love you, and remember to pray the rosary everyday.
 
Strangely enough, I’ve been growing more drawn to the Rosary lately. I moved away from it for a while but something is drawing me back.

I work at a senior home for retired veterans and it has been a blessing in many ways. I try to keep in mind “What you do unto the least of these, you do unto me.” It is like a school of charity to me on many occasions. Many of the residents are cheerful and grateful, and others are ornery or hard to communicate with, so it had been an exercise of patience at times. It’s a fulfilling job for the most part, but some days I question the way I carry myself or my sufficiency overall in spreading Christ to others.
 
You are only human. What counts is that you are trying to help these people to the best of your abilities.
roseproject said:
Strangely enough, I’ve been growing more drawn to the Rosary lately. I moved away from it for a while but something is drawing me back.
Click to expand...
Who knows, could be the Holy Ghost trying to tell you something 😉 if your job allows you to, have a group Rosary prayer session with your residents. Nothing brings everyone together like prayer.
 
When you are weak, God is strong. You are getting help with those issues, correct? God will not take your cross away, as it was created just for you. However, He will NEVER overload you and will always grant you the grace to carry that cross.

Having said that, the Lord also created doctors and medicine (see Sirach 38). He loves you - especially when you struggle, as it is out of love for Him that you do so.

So, between the intercession of the Saints, and the ministrations of a good physician/therapist/counselor, you should be able to exude more joy, and more often.

For what it is worth, my pathetic prayers are ascending for you.
 
I have gone through many ups and downs in my spiritual life as well as emotional and relational parts of life. I have often fought with anxiety but less lately, though now I still deal with a feeling that I cause negativity and that I am often self-centered. I do no want to be negative, I want to be a bright shining light for Christ, but conversation come hard for me and I believe my idealism has taken joy from me. I thrive on change, but realize that I need to create a routine and lessen my last minute decisions. My wife asks me to plan, and my job is requiring me to plan more, but I am quite disorganized and find it hard to become organized. I hope someone can give me some help on how to enjoy the beauty around me better as well as to become a better witness for Christ.
 
Dear roseproject. I could have written this. Last night our priest said one of the devil’s greatest weapons is discouragement and we are enfeebled by it so it is harder to share joy. Ensue silent panic from me half way down the pews. Let’s pray for each other and everyone like this. It sounds to me as if you do share joy in the old people’s home even though you are battling inside. I’m saying ‘God help me’ in my head all the time at work and when I wake up
 
Last edited:
I feel exactly the same as you do, though I’m quite indifferent about what other people perceive me to be as a catholic.

the past three years have been the absolute most tragic and painful one’s I’ve had. I honestly feel my prayers aren’t heard as I suspect God thinks they’re self indulging. that being said I know and truly believe he listens when I pray for others. so I’ll do that for you! I’m not very educated. I hope that helps.
 
Last edited:
roseproject said:
I worry that the way I carry myself on bad days may turn people off; not being conductive to being the light of Christ as I should be. There are days when I don’t have the strength to put on a happy face
Click to expand...
Yeah, that’s not your problem to worry about.
Your problem is to get better and find healing.❤️

If non-believers want to think “oh yeah, so-and-so is a Christian and look how depressed they are.”, let them.
If you pasted a plastic smile on your face, then they’d be all “so-and-so wears a phony mask. All Christians are hypocrites.”

Will remember you in my prayers 🙂:pray:t2:❤️
 
I struggle with anxiety and OCD. I tend towards cycles (I don’t know if others do?) But I know some days/weeks are better then others. I have prayed to be healed, but the answer I feel that I have received is it is my cross to bear. I know the times I am struggling, I turn to God more, and I don’t let life crowd out my quiet times.
I’ve also had the same thoughts…what do people think of Christ when I reflect him poorly in my struggles.
I will be praying for you! Know you are not alone!

Ps, I think I read somewhere St Therese of Lisieux had struggles too? You may want to fact check that though.
 
Yes I have started seeing a counselor recently at the prompting of my boss. It took me a while to get an appointment, but I hope I will be able to cope better on bad days.

I’ll take whatever I get, my friend {{}}
 
I have OCD as well. It was debilitating as a teen until I saw a doctor and a few therapists. Still have my moments from time to time though.

Yes, I believe she did. I’m in the process of reading her Story of a Soul so I’m sure I will find out more on that soon enough. She definitely struggled with some anxiety though.
 
Last edited:
roseproject said:
I give Christ my weakness in hopes that He will somehow make up for what I’m lacking, but I wonder sometimes if my weakness in this area will turn minds away from Christ’s light…or, if someone sees me who knows I’m Catholic during a bad day, that they’ll think “If this is what being a Christian looks like, I don’t want to be a part of it”.
Click to expand...
Remember how powerful Jesus moment of despair was. “Father why have you abandoned me?”. Nothing can dull the halo of the one who desires God.
 
I do know that the gold standard in anxiety treatment is the drug-free Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It teaches a re-learning of how we think, so as to avoid the triggers of anxiety.
 
Yep! I worked with a therapist who specializes in CBT and it worked wonders! I still need meds to supplement it though, but I’m sure there are some who can get along fine just on CBT 🙂
 
Last edited:
No doubt. CBT is something that is definitely voluntary. With all details being explicitly laid out from the get go and agreed to by all parties involved. Anything less than that is involuntary and is classified as such by the APA.
 
Last edited:
When seeking therapy, always do research on the therapist and on his business (often times managed by those other than the therapist). It may be best to avoid therapy businesses owned by attorneys. You can check with the local Bar. Don’t always go with the first therapist on the list given to you by your employer’s benefits department.
 
Last edited:
I spent some time with a homeless man, he carried all his possessions in a couple of bags. He said, every night when I find somewhere to sleep, I reflect on my day, and find several things to thank God for, even on bad days.

He taught me a profound lesson, how can a homeless person have anything to be thankful about? He said it was the simple things like eating, washing, being able to dry cloths, finding somewhere to sleep.

The more thankful we become the more joyful we become.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top