Bible Question:
I am a born again Christian. I have been involved in ministry for a number years. I have been a widow for over 20 years. I am unable to attend church due to extream exhaustion after cleaning houses during the week. I was attending church and taking my first granddaughter for the first four years of her life. I moved to this city and attended a very large church. I was okay until I went through a really dark clinical depression for which I was treated. I felt I could not talk to anyone about this. I councelled at a Christian Community Health Counselling Center and received much help including medication. For a while I felt so bad I did not want to be around anyone at church because, it seems, all the people in my group were not well. I decided to stay at home on Sundays. For a while I didn't want to hear anything that reminded me of the church I attended....music, sermons, people. I still do not. I have started watching TBN and have been greatly blessed and strengthened. I have started paying my tithes to a wonderful television pastor. and supporting a Feed The Children Ministry . I witness to my cleaning clients and befriend their young children. I help my daughter with her children when needed. Will I be okay to not attend church in a building if I sing and worship at home. The Lord speaks to me thru His word and I am in fellowship with The Lord. I do not want to be deceived. I just do not feel like being social due to my physical condition. I am a student of the Bible and had a Music Ministry. I hope someone understands my situation and can respond. |
Bible Answer: When you said "it seems all the people in my group were not well", what do you mean? Are you still on meds and receiving treatment? I can understand what you feel regarding clinical depression and not wanting to be around people. Social withdrawal is one of the symptoms of clinical depression. I don't know what your experience has been, but I know, from my own experience, that unfortunately many christians are very ignorant regarding clinical depression and so often alienate those experiencing this terrible medical condition. I pray and hope that you find the support you need. I don't think it's a sin that you don't go to church, but I would also want to encourage you to find caring supportive christians who can help you with your condition because it is dangerous to disconnect yourself. The more disconnected or socially withdrawn you become, the worse your depressive condition will become. Have you considered perhaps finding group therapy? Perhaps you may want to find at least an online support group of other christians who struggle with clinical depression. I will pray for you and know God will open a way for you. Monica |