Helping other Christians....I am getting stuck at something.

[Guest]

Any opinions about this approach? Is there something else I could be doing that might be better?

 

I'm pretty new to Christian faith so I need some guidance.

 

Thanks so much.

 

 

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

[OneLight]

I often try to help other Christians who have mental illnesses because I have a background in psychology. Typically what I do is discuss aspects of Christian beliefs and try to relate it to what they are going through personally. Sometimes what I say is really helpful, but sometimes I get stuck when I tell them to "pray to the father and ask for forgiveness." Sometimes when they do this it doesn't work. In other words, the weight of sin is so heavy (guilt etc.) that prayer to the father doesn't release them from their suffering. So then I tell them to try "atonement" for sin. I tell them to try to make it up to whomever they felt they hurt. But then I wonder, is that really what Jesus said to do? It sounds logical but I think that is my own idea, not what Jesus said to do.

Any opinions about this approach? Is there something else I could be doing that might be better? I'm pretty new to Christian faith so I need some guidance. Thanks so much.

 

This is not an insult because iI say this to everyone.  Before you try to explain Christianity to anyone, first you must understand Christian basics yourself.  You need to know what salvation is, why Christ came, what God expects from us and how the Holy Spirit makes all this fit together.  Just going on head knowledge of what you think it means without fully understanding can, and will, do more harm than good.  Please, read and study scripture so you will have the solid answers to questions asked.

[hamletcat]

Ok, thanks everybody.

I have been working in the service industry for 18 years, and I have helped many individuals and they have been very thankful for what I have done for them. I am not afraid of helping people, even those with severe illnesses. I have helped prevent two suicides and one murder, and even though those cases are challenging, it has been worth the effort I believe. I have never received a clear message from god that this isn't the "chosen path for me." On the other hand I do hear what everyone is saying. Some of the people I work with are Christians and one of the reasons I came to this site to get advice for helping people of faith. I thought that if I could relate some concepts to their beliefs, then it would be easier for them to understand. But I guess for now I can just tell them to attend their church, where I live there isn't really any "faith-based" counselling. I am sort of on my own. Many of them don't have the money to travel long distances to find proper "faith-based" counselling. But maybe just going to church will be what they need.

Once again, thanks for everyones input.

[seandavids]

Based on your other topic postings, I don't believe that you are mature enough in the Lord to be counseling others about Christian topics.

actually this is biblically sound advice, but I have no doubt God has got great things in store for you in time,

 

sadly I find many things to be demonic but are quickly given secular titles because the world does not accept the reality of evil spirits

having a balanced belief of both worlds is probably going to be helpful

[Guest Teditis]

I often try to help other Christians who have mental illnesses because I have a background in psychology. Typically what I do is discuss aspects of Christian beliefs and try to relate it to what they are going through personally. Sometimes what I say is really helpful, but sometimes I get stuck when I tell them to "pray to the father and ask for forgiveness." Sometimes when they do this it doesn't work. In other words, the weight of sin is so heavy (guilt etc.) that prayer to the father doesn't release them from their suffering. So then I tell them to try "atonement" for sin. I tell them to try to make it up to whomever they felt they hurt. But then I wonder, is that really what Jesus said to do? It sounds logical but I think that is my own idea, not what Jesus said to do.

Any opinions about this approach? Is there something else I could be doing that might be better? I'm pretty new to Christian faith so I need some guidance. Thanks so much.

 

I think that your methodology seems sound... both asking for forgiveness and atonement/amends making are good things to be doing.

But I really don't think that they do much without the relationship that we have with God, through Jesus Christ.

Any and all of our righteousness is as filthy rags... Jesus' work is what assuages our guilt, which is what many folks with MH issues are struggling with.

[Guest]

Some of the people I work with are Christians....

 

and one of the reasons I came to this site to get advice for helping people of faith....

 

 

Can't

 

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

 

Fake It

 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door,

 

I will come in to him, and will sup with him,

 

and he with me. Revelation 3:20

 

Jesus Saves~!

 

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;

 

he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives,

 

and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luke 4:18