Did I do something wrong to cause this?

[KendraDZ1902]

I figured this was the best place to post. I’m sorry if it isn’t.

For the past year and a half I have been had anxiety issues. For the past 6 months it has gotten in the way of my daily life. Today I went to the doctor to talk about my anxiety issues, for the first time and he informed me that not only do I have anxiety, I also have depression. This breaks my heart. I was put on 2 different medications and I have a follow up appointment in two weeks.

Now to my question: is this a punishment? Did I upset God so much somehow that he’s punishing me?

 

[josh987654321]

I figured this was the best place to post. I’m sorry if it isn’t.

For the past year and a half I have been had anxiety issues. For the past 6 months it has gotten in the way of my daily life. Today I went to the doctor to talk about my anxiety issues, for the first time and he informed me that not only do I have anxiety, I also have depression. This breaks my heart. I was put on 2 different medications and I have a follow up appointment in two weeks.

Now to my question: is this a punishment? Did I upset God so much somehow that he’s punishing me?

I like to quote this gospel passage upon questions like this -
Gospel of John:

John 9:1-3

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

9 As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. 2 Jesus’ disciples asked, “Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?”

3** “No, it wasn’t!”** Jesus answered. “But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him.

I would also like to ask you to please read this - From Sinai to Calvary

As I believe it will help you greatly in your sufferings.

For more information on this booklet please read the opening pages of the booklet linked or go here.
Extract from the book "From Sinai to Calvary":

Jesus said: **“Contemplate this scene, My beloved, and learn that My own cannot march through life without a cross. 4) “Go and tell the world what you are learning and, if they want to silence you, shout even louder. Do this for the sake of the power of the love that unites you to Me, which is as united as these two pieces of wood that form an instrument of salvation for all of humanity.

1. “Tell the consecrated souls that the cross that they wear, is not only to adorn their chests or identify them superficially with Me. First they must gird themselves with the cross and learn to “make themselves comfortable” on it instead of running away from it. Tell them they cannot long for Tabor, if they have not first passed through Golgotha. It is here on the Cross where they will learn charity, humility, poverty of spirit and temperance in all acts of their lives. 6) “Assure them that I give proof and testimony that, the devil can be easily defeated from the experience of the cross. Contemplate Me: I am a true Man, in whom the flesh manifests its limitations, and true God, in demonstrating the relentless force of Agape Love.
2. “Pray for those who do not know of sufferings, for it is certain that they are not among My own…Observe these two condemned ones who flank Me and meditate on the ways that men carry their crosses. 8) “Some carry it with rage, with bitterness, amidst much grief. He who carries a cross in similar circumstances and with those sentiments, carries for sure a cross, which has no sense because instead of drawing him closer, it pushes him away from Me. Usually that is the cross of those who refuse to understand the meaning of suffering, which takes on supernatural dimensions. That is the cross of the thief at My left, it is the cross which will always be heavy and will never be able to redeem.
3. “Dismas, on My right, accepts his cross with resignation and even with dignity; he assumes it at first because he has no other recourse. But suddenly, when he recognizes Me and knows that I Am the Son of God, he accepts that cross, acknowledging himself as a sinner, and asking that through it, Mercy remembers him. 10) “Finally, you have Me here in front of you, embracing My redeeming Cross to teach all of you to carry yours. I invite you to be co-redeemers with Me, making reparation for your own sins and those of all mankind. Know that this way of carrying the cross is reflected in your conduct, when before you are difficulties and pains and through them you draw closer to Me and you profit from them to give testimony before men. When you embrace your cross, you can feel that the only thing you desire is strength, because the thirst for souls consumes you.” **

Please continue to next post -

 

[josh987654321]

Continued from above post -

The documentary, 'A PLEA TO HUMANITY", presents some of the most remarkable happenings in modern times which will have important implications for both science and religion.

In Cochabamba, Bolivia, a statue of the Crucified Christ, inexplicably has wept tears and blood.

In the same city, Katya Rivas has had appear in her hands, in her feet, and on her forehead, wounds similar to those believed to have been suffered by Christ in His Crucifixion, the stigmata.

Also, Katya, who had never read the bible, and who did not complete her high school education, has written, without theological error, hundreds of pages of profound theological teachings and biblical commentaries which she says are dictated to her by Christ.
The story of these happenings was presented in a Fox Network prime time special called “Signs from God” which was broadcast throughout the United States in July 1999 and subsequently in a number of other countries.

Here is a list with the links to Katya’s short books free to read and download online (my favourite being “The Holy Mass” and “In Adoration” but they are all truly remarkable and invaluable! and have deepened me in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in enourmous ways)

Books on the Eucharist
The Holy Mass - loveandmercy.org/Eng-HM-Reg.pdf
Holy Hour - loveandmercy.org/Eng-HH-Reg.pdf
In Adoration - loveandmercy.org/Eng-IA-Reg.pdf

Books on Spiritual Testimonies & Devotions
Divine Providence - loveandmercy.org/Eng-DP-Reg.pdf
My Broken Christ Walks Over the Waters - loveandmercy.org/Eng-MBC-Reg.pdf
Praying the Rosary - loveandmercy.org/Eng-PR-Reg.pdf
The Visible Face of the Invisible God - loveandmercy.org/Eng-VF-Reg.pdf

Books on the Passion
The Passion - loveandmercy.org/Eng-TP-Reg.pdf
The Stations of The Cross - loveandmercy.org/Eng-SOC-Reg.pdf
**From Sinai to Calvary **- loveandmercy.org/Eng-FSC-Reg.pdf
I Have Given My Life for You - loveandmercy.org/Eng-IHG-Reg.pdf

You can find all of this including the most part of the documentry “Signs from God” free to watch, read and download online here - youshallbelieve.com/

I may not know the meaning of suffering, but I do know that it’s not because God doesn’t love us. “16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son” - John 3:16 and in turn the Son loved the world so much that he gave his own life for us (the love of Agape confirmed through works by the Father and the Son).

Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins etc all focus on this in their books on atheism, they begin their books with a catastrophe or some evil act and than they say “If God is Omnipotent, than he chose to let this happen, is this a God you should believe in?” I notice how it’s not an intellectual argument against God, but rather an emotional one playing on our lack of understanding.

I find it amazing at just how similar their arguments are with the ones from Christ’s time.

I believe it’s the very same thing that was said to Christ as they made fun of him on the Cross and it’s the number one call I believe of atheists today, at the heart of atheism is usually a fist raised toward God from this lack of understanding between God’s omnipotance and the reality of suffering.

Those very same taunts.

“If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!”
“Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!”
“He saved others. Now he should save himself, if he really is God’s chosen Messiah!”

I believe the Gospel passage this week is a perfect one to reflect on with the subject of God’s omnipotence and suffering.
Gospel of Luke:

Luke 23:34-43

Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross

34-35 Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.”

While the crowd stood there watching Jesus, the soldiers gambled for his clothes. The leaders insulted him by saying, “He saved others. Now he should save himself, if he really is God’s chosen Messiah!”

36 The soldiers made fun of Jesus and brought him some wine. 37 They said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!”

38 Above him was a sign that said, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!”

40 But the other criminal told the first one off, **“Don’t you fear God? Aren’t you getting the same punishment as this man? 41 We got what was coming to us, but he didn’t do anything wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into power!”

43 Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.” **

I strongly encourage you KendraDZ1902 and everyone else reading this to reflect on the extract I provided above from the book “From Sini to Calvary” in which shows the two ways that men carry their crosses. Our crosses are inevitable, we will all have to carry them at some stage in our life, (e.g. Death) some heavier than others, but I certainly know which cross I will prefer to carry, and that is Dismas’ cross, humbly recognising himself as a sinner and asking that though his sufferings, mercy remembers him. It’s in this way that warrented such a reply from our lord “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:43

“Humility opens the doors to the kingdom of heaven.”

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[RPRPsych]

I figured this was the best place to post. I’m sorry if it isn’t.

For the past year and a half I have been had anxiety issues. For the past 6 months it has gotten in the way of my daily life. Today I went to the doctor to talk about my anxiety issues, for the first time and he informed me that not only do I have anxiety, I also have depression. This breaks my heart. I was put on 2 different medications and I have a follow up appointment in two weeks.

Now to my question: is this a punishment? Did I upset God so much somehow that he’s punishing me?

Not at all!

Dispelling the notion of a simplistic link between suffering and punishment was so important to God that he devoted an entire book to it: the book of Job. Throughout the book, Job’s friends bombard him with the conventional model (“sin = punishment = suffering”), only to be confounded at the end; though God rebukes Job, He is even harder on them, and asks Job to intercede for them.

In the New Testament, we have several passages, such as John 9 and Luke 13: 1-4, in which Jesus clearly does not endorse such a simple model.

Suffering is a dark mystery, which only makes sense in the light of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 - Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sake.

The prayer in the middle of the “Our Father” in the liturgy is interesting in this context:
Old version: “keep us free from sin, and protect us from all anxiety”
New version: “keep us free from sin, and keep us safe from all distress”

There are many causes - psychological, social, spiritual and even physical - for anxiety and depression. While modern science is far from finding a solution to these mysteries, rest assured that you are not simply being punished. Courage!

 

[josh987654321]

Not at all!

Dispelling the notion of a simplistic link between suffering and punishment was so important to God that he devoted an entire book to it: the book of Job. Throughout the book, Job’s friends bombard him with the conventional model (“sin = punishment = suffering”), only to be confounded at the end; though God rebukes Job, He is even harder on them, and asks Job to intercede for them.

In the New Testament, we have several passages, such as John 9 and Luke 13: 1-4, in which Jesus clearly does not endorse such a simple model.

Suffering is a dark mystery, which only makes sense in the light of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 - Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sake.

The prayer in the middle of the “Our Father” in the liturgy is interesting in this context:
Old version: “keep us free from sin, and protect us from all anxiety”
New version: “keep us free from sin, and keep us safe from all distress”

There are many causes - psychological, social, spiritual and even physical - for anxiety and depression. While modern science is far from finding a solution to these mysteries, rest assured that you are not simply being punished. Courage!

 

[George_Stegmeir]

I figured this was the best place to post. I’m sorry if it isn’t.

For the past year and a half I have been had anxiety issues. For the past 6 months it has gotten in the way of my daily life. Today I went to the doctor to talk about my anxiety issues, for the first time and he informed me that not only do I have anxiety, I also have depression. This breaks my heart. I was put on 2 different medications and I have a follow up appointment in two weeks.

Now to my question: is this a punishment? Did I upset God so much somehow that he’s punishing me?

Why should you be upset by the Doctor’s diagnosis of your problems? While you may not be happy about it, you possibly should be glad to know what the problem is and that treatment is underway to relieve your condition. A short prayer of thanks along with a prayer that the treatment be effective may be in order.
Buck up, you will be well soon!!
BTW, Since Christ died upon the Cross, G*D does not punish people directly for their transgressions by inflicting bad health or “bad luck” upon them.

 

[Robert_Sock]

I suffer from anxiety, severe panic attacks and depression. I do not view them as punishment per se, but doing my Purgatory here on earth. Rejoice, and seek the Everlasting joys of Heaven!

 

[Bookcat]

Remember always that Jesus of Nazareth loves you and is with you even in the midst of current darkness and difficulty. He is the *Good Shepherd *who is with his sheep -carrying them through the rocky paths -even if the shadows that may darken the path prevent the eyes of sheep from always seeing him.

 

[KendraDZ1902]

Why should you be upset by the Doctor’s diagnosis of your problems?

Because my diagnosis isn’t a stomach bug or a sinus infection. The doctor can give me meds, but it isn’t like taking antibiotics for a week, then I’m back to my old self. It taboo to talk about illnesses like this. It just upsets me.

Thanks for all of the responses.

 

[Phil_Marinus]

I figured this was the best place to post. I’m sorry if it isn’t.

For the past year and a half I have been had anxiety issues. For the past 6 months it has gotten in the way of my daily life. Today I went to the doctor to talk about my anxiety issues, for the first time and he informed me that not only do I have anxiety, I also have depression. This breaks my heart. I was put on 2 different medications and I have a follow up appointment in two weeks.

Now to my question: is this a punishment? Did I upset God so much somehow that he’s punishing me?

You are one very very lucky person… you actually went and had your problems seen to.
so many people live in denial… make life hard for themselves and those around them…

Answer to your Question…

Answer… no, nope, incorrect assumption.

never,never ,never blame God,your loved ones around you…

and especially never blame yourself… these things just happen…

now you know there is a problem… now you need to learn how to deal with it…
good luck and God bless.

 

[ccmcmg]

Because my diagnosis isn’t a stomach bug or a sinus infection. The doctor can give me meds, but it isn’t like taking antibiotics for a week, then I’m back to my old self. It taboo to talk about illnesses like this. It just upsets me.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Be thankful that you have a diagnosis! Anxiety and such can sometimes be treated by anti-depressants. Please continue to work CLOSELY with your doctor. It can take a while to find the right meds, and some can have side effects. If you have someone close to you (spouse, best friend, sibling), let them know you are on meds, and to alert someone if you have a sudden change in personality or actions. Most of the time this isn’t an issue, but it’s important to note. I don’t know how old you are; it can be more marked in younger people. Also, do not quit taking your meds without seeing your doctor. ** This isn’t medical advice; this is real life, been there done that, advice.**

Now, if you were diagnosed with diabetes, or cancer, or something else that might require long-term treatment, would you feel bad? Also, sometimes meds can be helpful to get some people ‘back on track’ in the short term, and they don’t have to take them forever, or not consistently. While you might think that everyone looking at you can see that you are on anti-depressants, that is not true.

It is NOT a punishment from God. While it might be a cross we bear, that does not equate to punishment. I do understand where you’re coming from. It’s a cross I’ve had to deal with for over 20+ years. The severe part was triggered by a very traumatic event, and I’ve had deep episodes over the years. It ebbs, but it’s always there.

I urge you to take a look at St. Dymphna. She is my Confirmation Saint. I chose her (I thought) because her name was pretty (not to mention the fact that my mom didn’t want me to choose her). It wasn’t until many years later that I had my first severe bout of depression, and realized that she was actually chosen for me. Back in 1983, that’s when it wasn’t talked about, so the fact that I chose a ‘mental illness’ patron saint as my confirmation saint, was scandalous to my mother.

Some helpful links:
ourcatholicprayers.com/prayer-to-st-dymphna.html
praymorenovenas.com/st-dymphna-novena/
prayerflowers.com/prayergarden/index.php?topic=276.0
graceandspace.org/welcome/moments/novena/159-novena-to-st-dymphna.html

God bless and keep you!