[BJWilliams]

Hey guys, I know I ask for you all to pray a lot for things going on in my life but this time its not for someone I know...


This time Im asking for your prayers for me personally. Over the last couple years I have suffered very heavily from bouts of depression. At one point 2 years ago it got so bad that I made an attempt on my own life. I was referred to the deans office and told to seek counseling, which I did. I am at a point in my life now where I have basically hit rock bottom emotionally, and spiritually. I have an empty place in my heart and I am not sure what that thing Im missing in my life is. I accepted Jesus Christ into my life in 2002 and I am "as sure of heaven as if I was already there" (as Dr Falwell so aptly puts it). I have tried to fill this empty place with people and relationships, but that has only led to heartbreak and loneliness in my life. I have some serious soul searching to do and it will probably take me beyond my time at LU to find the answer I am looking for. This probably also affects why I have had so much trouble with those of the opposing gender as well as I feel very much in my heart that I cannot love anyone anymore or be loved in return. I am not asking for advice, I simply am asking for your prayers because this is something Im going to have to discover with only God's guidance and direction for my life.

[PAmedic]

you got it.

keep your head up brother.

[Sly Fox]

I've been their, my man. Others think you can just snap out of it but it doesn't work that way. Prayer is the best medicine.

[Fumblerooskies]

BJ....seriously....sometimes simple counseling (especially the on-campus kind) may not be the answer. Depression (IMHO) is a medical condition which can be treated. I pray you will seek a visit with a physician (Dr. Lane at Light is awesome) and he can point you in the right direction. God will lay nothing on your that you cannot overcome.

[SumItUp]

BJ, you are not the first person to be at this point in life. I will pray for you today. God will not give you more than you can handle.

[4everfsu]

A girlfriend of mine suffers depression, she is bipolar. You may want to check it out and see if you are bipolar or manic, either way it is treatable. My prayers are with you. Life is too short and dont do something foolish to yourself. Anytime you do remember there are people in hospitals who would love to trade places with you.
Again my prayers are with you my friend. May God bless you

[Hold My Own]

BJ, be careful with whatever Med's your own...they can make anyone and I mean anyone have crazy thoughts at times

[bigsmooth]

BJ, i will be praying for you man. i have suffered from depression before, and through medicine, counseling and prayer, it all worked out. i would seek medical help from your doctor, and continue to pray and lean on your friends and family.

[FlameDad]

BJ - Praying in WC

It takes guts to make that personal need known

praying now.......

[BJWilliams]

BJ, be careful with whatever Med's your own...they can make anyone and I mean anyone have crazy thoughts at times

I actually am not on any medications at the moment but that is a possibility once I make this known medically

[Hold My Own]

BJ, be careful with whatever Med's your own...they can make anyone and I mean anyone have crazy thoughts at times

I actually am not on any medications at the moment but that is a possibility once I make this known medically

From personally experience I would try and stay off them if you can...I remember back when a doc tried to put me on some anxiety med's and it had a reverse effect on me...one of the biggest side affects is being suicidal and that goes for anti depressants as well...so just be careful.

[ATrain]

BJ...you got prayers from the dorm next door my friend

[bigsmooth]

true HMO, but not ALL anti's do that. BJ, just be sure you get good advice from whomever your doctor is. the flamefans crew is behind you, and we will be praying for you.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

true HMO, but not ALL anti's do that. BJ, just be sure you get good advice from whomever your doctor is. the flamefans crew is behind you, and we will be praying for you.

Amen, Dr. Smoothie Prayin hard BJ!

[BJWilliams]

I appreciate all your prayers guys. This is a long road I have ahead and God's about the only light I have to guide me

[bigsmooth]

God and your friends BJ. lean on us.

[FlameDad]

BJ - I don't know you personally but I count it a privilege to pray for & with you.

Praying now in WC and 18-1 on the hill.

[grm]

I'm praying too. I agree with what others have said about meds, and then, if you're o.k. physically (meds)- I'd say the next thing is to focus on serving God and being as nice as possible to others.

[BJWilliams]

Very well put HMO. I will say that it's hard to know if that has an impact on somebody or not or if they have just completely hardened their heart. Its not going to be an overnight transformation but hopefully as the Lord answers the questions I have things will take a turn for the better

[flafan]

BJ, we're praying for you in Florida. You've received some good advice so far. Be wise and listen to wise counsel.
You are in a great place to receive support and help so allow the Lord to use those who He has placed around you.

I too have been there and am grateful for God's mercy and grace to bring me through. Just remember, there is nothing that you are facing now or will face in the future that God has not already proven himself capable of handling. He knows what is coming our way. He is never surprised. He is able to overcome anything we ever face in life.

We are praying for Him to give you victory.

Grace and peace to you!

[BJWilliams]

Thanks to everybody for your prayers...my SLD is noticing the joy I have been missing slowly returning to my demeanor

[BJWilliams]

Hey guys, jsut wanted you to know that Im meetign with one of the professors at Liberty who is a leader in my college class and I may get a platform to talk about this on Sunday and possibly also perform a song that has helped me through this and many other rough times in my life. Continue to keep me in your prayers

[Jasmen8182]

BJ, I'm glad that you're getting some well-rounded responses and that you have joy returning. I've battled with being "crippled" by negative feelings-esp. in the past few yrs. with blended family struggles... (everyone should get pre-marriage counseling no matter how old they are....) My parents have both made discouraging comments about life through the years; despite my struggles growing up shy and taking years to mature socially and have self-confidence and be healthy all around- incl. working on a better prayer life- I always had a desire to grow, live and love. Sometimes bouncing back from things may have been more running away/restlessness. I don't trust meds. whether for ADD or depression... but I also know they have helped people when handled properly. Sheila Walsh has discussed taking the "little blue pill." She's part of the Women of Faith team and used to be on the 700 Club (?). She has authored many books-some children's (Gnoo Zoo), some adult. Her testimony may be an encouragement to you. My husband calls the dark type thoughts his "friend" b/c it's a warning that something's seriously wrong- I would rather call it the enemy. Shaun Hannity (at the campus recently) spoke abt. all the pill-prescribing and brought up the notion that our country has a lot of spiritual issues. He specifically targeted sleep problems; I agree that many problems are spiritual but there are also chemical imbalances....

[BJWilliams]

thanks for praying for me guys

Im going to see if I can get some counseling this summer. I will also talk to Light Medical about getting a referral to see a counselor one on one suring the school year (Im going to be balancing 13 hours, seeing a counselor, my radio station duties whatever they may be and marching band

[BJWilliams]

And if all the previous stuff I mentioned isn't enough reason to pray...

Ive been in college for 5 years trying to get my degree in broadcasting (I started out as a math major with teacher licensure before I switched at the end of my 3rd year). I have been through all manner of adversity in the last 3 years (including two suicide attempts, and numerous issues with the school). Well now the school may cancel my financial aid because I failed one class this semester. If that were to happen, I would have to pay $26,000 out of my own pocket (which is not very deep right now). The worst part about this is that I am 24 credits away from graduating with my Bachelor of Science degree. I promised my grandmother before she died that I would finish my degree so this really hits me pretty hard. Pray that God's will is done first and foremost but that if it is his will for me to continue going to school where I am going now (Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA), to provide the means for me to do so and to fulfill the promise I made.