Thanks for sharing this, Josh. I'm so thankful that you were unsuccessful in dying! I get frustrated because, as a chaplain, I am called to bear one another's burdens. However folks in the church aren't willing to share the burdens the have. Many are very content with the platitudes, and for some the platitudes do honestly seem to work for them. However, I suspect that because believers aren't willing to take a deep dive into their sorrow they really aren't able to to fully experience the comfort available to them. Or aren't privy to what redemption really can look like or feel like. I'm curious if your experience with depression has helped you to understand God in bigger and bolder ways than if you hadn't have had this struggle?
Sadly I think you are right about your pastor not being able to help in these situations. Pastors can be unaware of their own needs to be a savior and rely on telling rather than presence and burden bearing. I would suggest finding a pastor who is training in chaplaincy. They will be a better source of spiritual care and guidance.
Posted in: 'I Decided I Was Going to Die' (Here's How Christians Responded)
Thanks for sharing this, Josh. I'm so thankful that you were unsuccessful in dying! I get frustrated because, as a chaplain, I am called to bear one another's burdens. However folks in the church aren't willing to share the burdens the have. Many are very content with the platitudes, and for some the platitudes do honestly seem to work for them. However, I suspect that because believers aren't willing to take a deep dive into their sorrow they really aren't able to to fully experience the comfort available to them. Or aren't privy to what redemption really can look like or feel like. I'm curious if your experience with depression has helped you to understand God in bigger and bolder ways than if you hadn't have had this struggle?
Posted in: 10 Things to Remember When Your Child Is Suicidal
Sadly I think you are right about your pastor not being able to help in these situations. Pastors can be unaware of their own needs to be a savior and rely on telling rather than presence and burden bearing. I would suggest finding a pastor who is training in chaplaincy. They will be a better source of spiritual care and guidance.