Depression and conversion from JW

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excaliber said:
I saw the journey home with tom on there…it was nice to see that two former bethelites made it…both him and Jef shwim.
The difference between them and me is that tom went to some evangelicals…then the Anglicans…and finaly the Catholics.

Jef shims wife or family had background in catholosism.

I however don’t have realitives that can help. and ofcourse no spouse. I visited the Orthodox a couple of times…and they were friendly…but that’s cus they are a smaller church…the people noticed that I was new. But I can’t go back because I don’t believe.

And yea Going to a Catholic church alone to pray is intimidating, they have the lights out sometimes too…but I just marched twords that church…but the doors were locked. Mabey its for the best…because I WOULD have gone in…and I probably would have fainted, because of bieng alone with all the lights out.
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A lot of churches are locked now days. Ours is a school and is locked down because of the children; during the school year anyway. I know how you feel; I’ve been in our church when all the lights were out. Someone hadn’t turned the lights on yet. But I found it peaceful there in a dark church. l don’t know if you have looked yet or not. But Adoration Chapels are open 24 hours a day…you can go anytime.

Just keep praying! You’ve been given lots of great advice. One thing I do when I first wake up is cross myself and start my prayers right away.

I’ll have you in my prayers on your journey for the Truth.

Peace of Christ
 
My heart really goes out to you. I am not a convert from JW but from a religion very similar. I was raised a Christdelphian. It’s kinda like unorganized JW’s. Lots of splinter groups with variations, but a lot of core beliefs held in common with JW’s, and serious indoctrination. Converting straight to Catholicism was only possible through God’s grace. I remember how much it hurt. I actually had a break down and cried hysterically for I don’t know how long and had to be carried back into the house. It was as though someone died when I really realized that everything I knew and had believed was essentially wrong. And that what was acctually true was everything I had been taught was seriously wrong.
I have been a sponsor for RCIA a couple of times, and it is not uncommon for lots of obstacles to be put in your path as you journey. The devil does not want you there. He will try to put obstacles in your path. You just have to persevere. (Easier said than done- I know). I think you are experiencing a lot of those obstacles now. A lot of churches unfortuately are closed because of safety concerns. I would call ahead of time and find out what hours the church is open (usually buisness hours), and if they have a perpetual adoration chapel what the security code is to get in. I would also second the suggestion to discuss your feelings of depression with your doctor. Keep on praying, and offer the pain to our Lord. I know it’s hard you just have to surrender it all to him, and trust that he will guide you-even if it doesn’t feel like anything is getting done, one day you will look back and realize that you have made progress. You are in my prayers.
 
Summer_Girl said:
My heart really goes out to you. I am not a convert from JW but from a religion very similar. I was raised a Christdelphian. It’s kinda like unorganized JW’s. Lots of splinter groups with variations, but a lot of core beliefs held in common with JW’s, and serious indoctrination. Converting straight to Catholicism was only possible through God’s grace. I remember how much it hurt. I actually had a break down and cried hysterically for I don’t know how long and had to be carried back into the house. It was as though someone died when I really realized that everything I knew and had believed was essentially wrong. And that what was acctually true was everything I had been taught was seriously wrong.
I have been a sponsor for RCIA a couple of times, and it is not uncommon for lots of obstacles to be put in your path as you journey. The devil does not want you there. He will try to put obstacles in your path. You just have to persevere. (Easier said than done- I know). I think you are experiencing a lot of those obstacles now. A lot of churches unfortuately are closed because of safety concerns. I would call ahead of time and find out what hours the church is open (usually buisness hours), and if they have a perpetual adoration chapel what the security code is to get in. I would also second the suggestion to discuss your feelings of depression with your doctor. Keep on praying, and offer the pain to our Lord. I know it’s hard you just have to surrender it all to him, and trust that he will guide you-even if it doesn’t feel like anything is getting done, one day you will look back and realize that you have made progress. You are in my prayers.
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Yes we have something in common then. I don’t know how your family reacted…but mine canot know. Jw’s are very much a doomsday religion. They think about the death of everyone not Jw at armegedon all the time…they almost don’t think of non jw’s as regular humans…they call them wordly people…and to them worldly people must convert orr they are walking dead people.

Sound cold??? Well a former Jw is called an apostate… and to a Jw an apostate is second only to the devil himself. I don’t know any group in america that’s colder to there own family then the Jw’s.

That being said, not only is everything I was ever taught wrong, and every thing I was taught to be wrong was correct. But also everyone I am closest to will disown me in a second.

I hope you did not have to go through that.

Yea Satan has got a realy big arsenal. And he has been giving me healthy doses of it lately.

Ill try to figure out the adoration chaple thing…my brain is Jw…and I don’t think of things like that easily. So the advise I get here realy helps.
 
maartx said:
I am sorry to hear about the troubles you have been having. Please remember, depression is not only emotional and psychological, it is also physical. Please force yourself to go outside everyday and do something, walking, jogging, fishing, sit on the porch and read a book. Read just for pleasure, you do not have to work on your conversion 24 hours a day. God is witnessed not only through other people and writing, but through his creation also. You should also get your church bulletin and find something to get involved in. You can help sort food at the food bank, something like that. Doing something physical will probably help to make you feel better, as will helping others. If you’re like me it will take a bit of time for you to get to know anyone in your new community, but finding at least one ministry to be involved in will go a long way. My prayers are with you.
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I think the depression comes from my curent situation…It would depress anyone in my opinion. But I went outside and stuff and it helps.
I have been trying to get involved…but I work third shift, so that makes it hard.
And Im not too shy, but I think its atleast normal to get introduced to a group…just an introduction…then I take it from there…I hate it when
there is for example a group going to a museum or somthin…and Im just supposed to get on a bus with people I don’t know. Mabey its just me…but normaly you know atleast one person going…LOL
 
excaliber said:
I think the depression comes from my curent situation…It would depress anyone in my opinion. But I went outside and stuff and it helps.
I have been trying to get involved…but I work third shift, so that makes it hard.
And Im not too shy, but I think its atleast normal to get introduced to a group…just an introduction…then I take it from there…I hate it when
there is for example a group going to a museum or somthin…and Im just supposed to get on a bus with people I don’t know. Mabey its just me…but normaly you know atleast one person going…LOL
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Please eat something…

I want you to know that your posts have set off the Catholic mother in me, so more posts to follow while you get something to eat…
 
I wish I could say that my family embraced my conversion with open hearts- but, that ain’t the way it happened. It took me at least 3 years to tell them, and even then it was in a round about way. I told my cousin, who was my best friend growing up knowing that she would spread the news. She cried and cried because-essentially for her it meant I was dead if not physically spiritually. I did have the grace of distance between my family and myself they had all moved to Arkansas, while I was in California. So we did not see each other often, I do think this helped soften the blow. But it was tramatic my parents could hardly talk to me and kept me at a distance from my brothers and sister. In fact, when they found out that I was working in a church as a receptionist, they told me sister that I was a stripper that was how I was making money for college.:eek: Obviously, that wasn’t true, but in their minds working for a church was about on par as working as a stripper. Now 13 years later we talk on the phone a few times a month and visit about once a year. Of course, this has a lot to do with my having children for them to see, if it was just me things would be a little more chilly. We don’t broach the subject of religion-it’s just too painful for them. They leave me books to read, and drop heavy hints but I just pray for them, having been where their at, I know how much it would take for them to accept my conversion-pretty much only their conversion would do it. So our relationship is very fractured but having Jesus is infinitly worth it. The pain of being torn from a family can be healed, the pain of being permenantly separted from God cannot. The consolations he gives and wonderful. Lots of prayers for you it is so very difficult when your going through it, but it does get better. It is a trip sometimes to look back at how I was raised to view the world and the constant “end of the world” predictions and calculations. The “world” was a evil place, and all the “worldly” people would never make it into “The Kingdom”. Of course all people who weren’t Christadelphians were worldly and were doomed, as were all those Christadelphians who didn’t toe the party line or who didn’t study “The Truth” enough. It’s such a different world full of more fear than love. I am very grateful to God for my conversion. Again I will keep you in my prayers.
 
quote: Pier, addressing excaliber
Please eat something…

I want you to know that your posts have set off the Catholic mother in me, so more posts to follow while you get something to eat…
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What a beautiful response, Pier.
That is what Jesus said to the parents of the girl that
He had brought back to life. He said that they should
get something for her to eat. You are like Jesus.
God bless you. You have lifted my own heart, today.

reen12
 
This computer I’m on keeps logging me out before I get a chance to post, and it’s very frustrating…

So I will try again - I am leaving a link to something you should be able to listen to online - maybe headphones would be good as I don’t want you to get in trouble - it is EWTN’s Journey Home, the first one listed has a former JW as a guest…

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=-6892289&T1=journey+home

More to follow, before my computer logs me out again…
 
reen12 said:
quote: Pier, addressing excaliber

What a beautiful response, Pier.
That is what Jesus said to the parents of the girl that
He had brought back to life. He said that they should
get something for her to eat. You are like Jesus.
God bless you. You have lifted my own heart, today.

reen12
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Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words, Reen12 -

What you have written is enough to make me cry.

God bless you, as well. 🙂
 
Excaliber, call your local CC and get there hours - recorded or otherwise. If you get a person, ask what time the doors are open.

The next time you go to the store, check and see if they have those little inexpensive plastic pocket-sized spray bottles. This is not a necessity, but I have been carrying holy water around with me for years, and bless myself with the Sign of the Cross when I’m feeling anxious, or in need of God’s strength. When you can, ask at the church where you can get some holy water - unless you go in and find it for yourself. There are little fonts there where you can bless yourself as you come and go - but there should be a large urn where you can take some for yourself. Light a candle while you’re there and say a prayer as well, if you like. The quiet time with the Lord is incredibly helpful. I will run as in as often as I need to for a few minutes every week (you can attend the Mass every day as well - and help yourself to the church bulletin, the hours are listed there, just make sure you don’t leave it in your pocket)…

Your bravery is inspiring - take heart! Prayers your way - will light a candle for you, as well - and send a pm anytime to me if you like…

God bless you! :hug3:
 
Pier said:
Please eat something…

I want you to know that your posts have set off the Catholic mother in me, so more posts to follow while you get something to eat…
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I ate like 3 bouls of captain crunch.
so now Im stuffed…LOL
 
Pier said:
This computer I’m on keeps logging me out before I get a chance to post, and it’s very frustrating…

So I will try again - I am leaving a link to something you should be able to listen to online - maybe headphones would be good as I don’t want you to get in trouble - it is EWTN’s Journey Home, the first one listed has a former JW as a guest…

ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=-6892289&T1=journey+home

More to follow, before my computer logs me out again…
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Thanks Ill check it out.
Its a good Idea to write down the mass times. I will think about the holy water…cus I would have no idea what to do with it.

If I had a Catholic Parish, that was as great as this website…that would solve everything…go figure.
 
If you’re going to be on for a while, go to the Clubhouse section of the forum and play some word games…
 
excaliber said:
Thanks Ill check it out.
Its a good Idea to write down the mass times. I will think about the holy water…cus I would have no idea what to do with it.

If I had a Catholic Parish, that was as great as this website…that would solve everything…go figure.
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Did you check to see if your local parish has information online?
 
Pier said:
If you’re going to be on for a while, go to the Clubhouse section of the forum and play some word games…
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Ok I will try it…but the only games Im good at are on xbox 360
LOL
 
Wish you were here. Our RCIA team would grab you in a heartbeat. We have year round classes, so no waiting for anyone!
I will keep you in my prayers.
 
excaliber said:
Ok I will try it…but the only games Im good at are on xbox 360
LOL
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Good! 🙂

And as a couple of other people on this thread have suggested, get some air, maybe read a book outside, and make the Sign of the Cross when you wake up to start your day, and throughout the day if you like…

Don’t worry about the holy water - you don’t need it to bless yourself or to pray.
 
Prague said:
Wish you were here. Our RCIA team would grab you in a heartbeat. We have year round classes, so no waiting for anyone!
I will keep you in my prayers.
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Year round rcia sounds great…I wounder why any of them would not be year round?
 
Hi: Don’t know why except it is a lot of work for the RCIA team. We have an inquiry group, and then the Catechumens and Candidates. We get them involved with Church activities as part of their process into the Church. So after they are received into the Church they already feel like members. They have our phone numbers and e-mail address so they can contact us any time they have a burning question.
We have a summer get together with them also, and invite those who entered the year before.
There are eight of us that do this.
We look for comments about RCIA here on CA and it helps us do a better job.
Take care and God Bless You.
 
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