I guess I really AM an awful Christian!!!!!

My brother in law came by for a visit, which usually doesn't bother me. But today, I guess it was time for him to tell me what for!
According to him, I suffer from depression because:
1. I don't spend several hours a day reading my Bible.
2. I don't "talk about the Bible enough"
3. I'm not quoting scripture enough.
4. I'm not going around trying to force Bible studies on younger women.
5. ....and I'm not over at their house all the time wanting them to "teach me about the Bible."

They were my legal guardians for my last 2 years of high school, and yes, I did love reading the Bible because I found it fascinating. I even memorized a lot of scriptures. But that is all he remembers; he doesn't remember that they always thought I was living in secret sin because I was suffering from depression at that time too.

Oh, Short and Cute, how sad that you would be exposed to that. Christianity isn't
like that at all in healthy people. Please don't pay any attention to that kind of behavior. It's ignorance par excellence, in my view.

And don't let it discourage you from your love for Christianity. It's a life saver for
many of us, and it isn't what your brother-in-law proposes. Please believe that.

Keep in touch with your psychiatrist and follow his/her instructions about your
health. You will get a clear view of yourself and your family members through healing with psychiatry and medications.

Take care.

Short and Cute - I hope you didn't really mean it when you titled "I guess I really AM and awful Christian!!!" Because you are not an awful Christian.
You are worthy a lot as a person and a Christian. Anyone who would tell you that you are an awful Christian is being very judgmental and more likely that they are the awful ones.

I've heard the whole bit of having depression because of not being right with God or not getting into Him enough. That's just hooey!

Go on and just be yourself! I think you are doing great!

Many Christians and other believers in God suffer from depression. There are so many candid, profound, helpful and deeply inspiring books written by Christians on the subject of depression. I'd be happy to send you some titles if you like.

Agreed.

Hmmm...? I wonder if somehow they need you to feel bad about yourself in order to support their own view of themselves? Just speculating...

Sounds about right!Ever since I can remember, they've always hated it when people didn't follow their belief system--even b4 they were Christians.

To me, being a Christian has more to do with how we treat one another. How many hours you study the Bible, hmmmm...falls in line with actions speak louder than words and condemning you, my words--by virtue of what he said to you--, isn't Christian like, in my view.
I subscribe to the Golden Rule, and that's enough for me, to live by, ontop of whatever else a good Christian does. ((being charitable, giving isn't all about dollar donations, being kind to others, etc...))

You mention, before they were Christian?? What changed their worldview, if you don't mind my asking?

Healingme4me is right. Reading and quoting scripture has nothing to do with how good a Christian you are.
Anybody can read the Bible and quote a verse. That doesn't mean they are good Christians.

Being a good Christian is about your actions. In fact, take the "Christian" part out of it and just be a good person. Treat others nicely. Do good things. Be kind and polite and don't judge others. That is far more important than reading and re-reading the Bible over and over again.

It's kind of a long story behind how and why they became Christians, and I really don't remember all the details. But I do remember that even before that, if people didn't see things the way they did, they weren't "aware," they were "full of the bulls**t," etc. And even then they were always trying to "rescue" everybody. I remember a few years back, they were selling Tupperware, and my other brother-in-law told me one time, "I kept expecting ***** to start saying, 'Praise Tupperware,' 'Praise Tupperware.' "

sorry to hear about this; many well meaning people of faith for some reason seem to have a hard time understanding that depression is an illness just like a physical illness. Try to overlook it somehow; I do know that my faith in Christ has kept me sane over many yrs struggling with OCD..........I try to read Scripture daily and it really helps me

I've found that those who go around shouting and making big noise about their own religion are generally insecure.

You aren't an awful Christian. I'm not a Christian, but... Not devoutly worshiping God has nothing to do with being depressed.

Hi Short and Cute: Didn't someone say "You search the scriptures because in them you think you have life?" I heard that somewhere (haha) and I believe I agree with the Speaker of those words. Judge not, lest you be judged. At the end of our lifetimes, I believe we will judge ourselves (every idle word such as the ones your relative has spoken towards you) and we might not be happy with how we have treated our fellow man. Do what you feel is right in your heart and you cannot go wrong. Peace an love my friend! Yours truly, Lightbulb7Seven

(you will know them by their fruits. This is how they will know you are Mine: By your LOVE for one another)

They think you're depressed because you are not devout enough?!?!? Do they think the same thing if you catch a cold or sprain you ankle?
your brain is a part of your body. Depression is a physical problem.