Main Menu
User's Login
Mailing List
 |
Wasted life |
|
|---|---|---|
| davidb | Posted: 03.12.2004, 12:14 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 280
Status: offline last visit: 04.05.05 |
I often worry I'm just wasting my life. Do you ever get that feeling? What would a wasted life look like? What would one that had been worthwhile look like? |
|
|
|
|
| m | Posted: 03.12.2004, 19:24 | |
registered:
Posts: 294
Status: offline last visit: 23.04.06 |
>>I often worry I'm just wasting my life. Do you ever get that feeling? I worry about that a lot. Someone I knew ages ago once told me that he had didn't wanted to get to heaven and have God tell him "saved soul, wasted life" and it's stuck with me ever since. I really really don't want that - but I do worry that it might apply. I don't have a suggestion for the second bit! |
|
|
|
|
|
| Midge | Posted: 04.12.2004, 17:09 | |
registered:
Posts: 620
Status: offline last visit: 20.09.06 |
I was ruminating on this this morning. When I've got time I'll say more. |
|
|
|
|
|
| darkly | Posted: 05.12.2004, 18:33 | |
registered:
Posts: 547
Status: offline last visit: 23.01.06 |
I've noticed a trend on the site in recent months were people appear to be heading along a downward spiral of depression and lack of self worth. I'm hoping that this isn't the case and that you are all just using the forum to air your more negative feelings in a secure and accepting arena while actually they are not the dominating themes in your lives. It just strikes me that you all seem so overly preoccupied with a woe is me attitude. I really hope this isn't the case and you can share some of the positive things that are going on at the moment. Discussing this thread with people in the room an interesting comment came out: "If they are worrying about wasting their lives, chances are they are not." I would agree with that. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Midge | Posted: 05.12.2004, 20:22 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 620
Status: offline last visit: 20.09.06 |
>>I really hope this isn't the case and you can share some of the positive things that are going on at the moment. Well - just had a great sermon tonight on Psalm 13 and depression!  And we sang my favourite song.I'm beginning to see some more cause for hope in my life (besides the things I have mentioned before). When I've got more time I'll mention them. But it's fair to say my life has been fairly down and depressing recently. |
|
|
|
|
|
| andy | Posted: 06.12.2004, 11:42 | |
registered:
Posts: 792
Status: online |
If people are feeling woe is me this is where they can talk about it. Feelings go up and down, and if you're confident you'll always feel assured and content then you're likely to be mistaken. |
|
|
|
|
|
| davidb | Posted: 06.12.2004, 13:51 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 280
Status: offline last visit: 04.05.05 |
Hi darkly, >>I've noticed a trend on the site in recent months were people appear to be heading along a downward spiral of depression and lack of self worth. I'm hoping that this isn't the case and that you are all just using the forum to air your more negative feelings in a secure and accepting arena while actually they are not the dominating themes in your lives. Yes, that's basically what I'm doing, talking about a negative in a secure arena. I'm not in a terrible state - there are good things happening - but this is a worry I have. I'm guiltily expressing. >>It just strikes me that you all seem so overly preoccupied with a woe is me attitude. I really hope this isn't the case and you can share some of the positive things that are going on at the moment. Well, I don't think I'm "woe is me"-ing, just airing a concern I know I have and expect others have. But point taken, I will write about positive things too. >>Discussing this thread with people in the room an interesting comment came out: "If they are worrying about wasting their lives, chances are they are not." I would agree with that. This is helpful; perhaps it's good to at least have the question "Is my life worthwhile" on one's radar. But I still get vertigo about this issue from time to time. |
|
|
|
|
|
| darkly | Posted: 06.12.2004, 23:47 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 547
Status: offline last visit: 23.01.06 |
>>Feelings go up and down, and if you're confident you'll always feel assured and content then you're likely to be mistaken. I would never feel that I was always assured and content - striving for something better is what keeps us going. I was just worried that we were all (including me from time to time) focusing on the negative... |
|
|
|
|
|
| andy | Posted: 09.12.2004, 13:40 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 792
Status: online |
Fair enough. I handed in 5 chapters yesterday. |
|
|
|
|
|
| m | Posted: 20.12.2004, 11:18 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 294
Status: offline last visit: 23.04.06 |
At times in this year I'd say things have seemed completely negative. I think now, it's just church-related things that are... although there are more mixed feelings there just at the moment, so it's not all bad! |
|
|
|
|
|
| Wave | Posted: 30.12.2004, 18:51 | |
registered:
Posts: 51
Status: offline last visit: 10.05.05 |
I find that life is Ace the more you look at it, and so just being able to say things are bad is Fantastic in a way. But then I have discovered that I am more of an optimist than a lot of people or maybe just a little more naive. First time I've used the site since it was trashed - looks quite cool As for life being a waste of time - That is an enormous statement and one I can hardly fathom. I think everything if you break it down far enough is a waste of time since small things tend not to appear worth while, but it is the summation of things which when combined with lots of other stuff equate to a meaning which is so deep we can hardly understand ourselves. And so I would say life is not a waste of time but one which is a gift to enjoy and embrace as much as you can and as often as you can. edited by: Wave, Dec 30, 2004 - 06:58 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
| andy | Posted: 04.01.2005, 09:14 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 792
Status: online |
The thought of starting work again today is pretty intimidating, but I've got to get on with it. Right now... in a sec... |
|
|
|
|
|
| Anonymous | Posted: 04.01.2005, 18:20 | |
| Unregistered User |
Yesterday When revising and finding that things were just working - everything seemed groovy however today I spent all day trying to do something resonably easy and did not succeed. The ups and downs of revision. So the question remains have I wasted my time? |
|
|
|
|
|
| andy | Posted: 05.01.2005, 16:24 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 792
Status: online |
Time-wasting is not a waste of time: it's character-forming. Well, that's what has formed my character. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Midge | Posted: 19.01.2005, 19:55 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 620
Status: offline last visit: 20.09.06 |
>just being able to say things are bad is Fantastic in a way. :lol: This reminds me of when I was telling a friend of mine once that not only did I feel depressed, but I couldn't even see anything in particular to be depressed about, and he said 'Well, it's good that you can see that, cos then at least you can laugh at how absurd it is.' I couldn't bring myself to do that tho. :-) Ruminating on the idea of a wasted life on my birthday, I thought: The world tells us a worthwhile life is about achieving things, and it's easy to Christianise that. But God calls lots of people to live 'ordinary' lives, rather than being miracle workers or great preachers. Maybe we don't value as much as He does, humble obedience to Him and love for Him as something honouring to Him in itself, regardless of great visible achievements. People whose lives seem fulfilled to me are those whose faith is strong and evident and whose whole lives show their love for God - whatever their 'job' and 'career'. As lights in the world, I suppose, rather than being measured by things you can put on your CV. On the other hand, there's the question of gifts and talents - what does God expect us to do with them? Do we have to exercise all of them to the full, or is it more down to earth - we should bear our gifts in mind and make use of them if the opportunity arises? Looking to the future, I fear that I'll miss out on doing what God really wants, through timidity, non-radical thinking, and lack of trust in Him. I imagine Jesus might've said to us, "Don't worry what you'll do for a living. Seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and everything else will follow on." edited by: Midge, Jan 19, 2005 - 08:04 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
| davidb | Posted: 20.01.2005, 11:09 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 280
Status: offline last visit: 04.05.05 |
[quote=Midge] On the other hand, there's the question of gifts and talents - what does God expect us to do with them? Do we have to exercise all of them to the full, or is it more down to earth - we should bear our gifts in mind and make use of them if the opportunity arises? [/quote] Yes... I often wish I was there when Jesus told the parable of the talents, because I'd have wanted to ask: what if the person with two or five talents still didn't bury them, but used only one of them, and didn't get much of a return on even that? What does the master say to that person? edited by: davidb, Jan 20, 2005 - 11:09 AM |
|
|
|
|
|
| Wave | Posted: 24.01.2005, 00:01 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 51
Status: offline last visit: 10.05.05 |
Or even the one with 5 talents thought he'd go for broke and discovered his high risk venture 'For the Lord' didn't pay off and so so came back with 1 after working in Tesco's part time for 6 months while seeking further employment. | |
|
|
|
|
| andy | Posted: 25.01.2005, 13:47 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 792
Status: online |
Or the bloke who spent it all on baked beans because he thought the apocalypse was coming, and then it didn't. | |
|
|
|
|
| Midge | Posted: 25.01.2005, 17:42 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 620
Status: offline last visit: 20.09.06 |
Or the one who spent his life trying to get an opportunity to use his talents and just doing dead-end jobs like photocopying. (Compare the first chapter of "Life After God" by Douglas Coupland...) That reminds me of what we said here: http://www.guiltyexpression.org/index.php?module=pnForum&func=viewtopic&topic=2&start=314 about working for God not being mundane. edited by: Midge, Jan 25, 2005 - 06:06 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
| darkly | Posted: 25.01.2005, 20:55 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 547
Status: offline last visit: 23.01.06 |
I think I stuck mine in my back pocket for a rainy day and went out to earn some more ;) |
|
|
|
|
|
| Midge | Posted: 26.01.2005, 15:49 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 620
Status: offline last visit: 20.09.06 |
Sometimes Dx you sound a bit smug, but since you had �21,000 in debts I think that's permitted. Or maybe I just read it that way as I'm envious... edited by: Midge, Jan 28, 2005 - 10:57 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
| Midge | Posted: 01.02.2005, 13:42 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 620
Status: offline last visit: 20.09.06 |
Another thought: we had a sermon last Sunday about "Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it", and about loving Jesus more than our family etc. If our life is worthwhile to God, it will often seem wasted to other people. And vice versa. It's hard to get my head into that way of thinking, as we're surrounded by different people telling us what we deserve or what will make our life fulfilled and complete, and who think it's stupid to deny ourselves opportunities. | |
|
|
|
|
| darkly | Posted: 03.02.2005, 22:45 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 547
Status: offline last visit: 23.01.06 |
[quote=Midge]...maybe I just read it that way .... [/quote] Yeah, I wasn't meant to sound smug - starting your working life with a huge debt has meant a lot of budgeting, hence why I "went out to earn more". Incidentally, I have just finished my second day temping for Barclays in the City. Have decided to temp a few days here and there to break up my shore leave. Absolutely loving it. No major stress. I can do the job well and I am meeting lots of nice people. edited by: darkly, Feb 03, 2005 - 10:46 PM |
|
|
|
|
|
| Midge | Posted: 05.02.2005, 20:02 | |
|
registered:
Posts: 620
Status: offline last visit: 20.09.06 |
Reading the parable of the talents yesterday (with my Bible reading notes for mid-January) it occurred to me that it's not so much about a good return as the whole attitude. People get given gifts and responsibilities, some more impressive than others, but even one talent is worth a huge amount of money. The first two both doubled their money, because they were 'good and faithful'. The third one was 'wicked and lazy' and resented his master, accusing him of exploitation etc. The question seems to be - what is our attitude to God's work, God's kingdom? Are we trying to work for Him because we think He deserves it, or do we resent Him and avoid doing anything for Him because we think He doesn't deserve it? |
|
|
|
|
|
| Anonymous | Posted: 09.02.2005, 13:26 | |
| Unregistered User | I know what your saying but if you examine too closely we all come up short, hence makes you feel fubbish not enthused to do more for God. | |
|
|
|
|
Powered by pnForum Version 2.0.1
Who's Online
There are 12 unregistered users and 1 registered user on-line.
You can log-in or register for a user account here.
You can log-in or register for a user account here.
Past Articles
| Thursday, June 02 | |
| · | these are the days (15) |
| Tuesday, May 10 | |
| · | Miracles (19) |
| Thursday, April 14 | |
| · | Killing God (41) |
| Wednesday, March 02 | |
| · | More than a name (45) |
| Tuesday, February 22 | |
| · | Untitled (27) |
| Wednesday, February 09 | |
| · | Pancake mix (48) |
| Tuesday, January 18 | |
| · | Christianity the pressure group (76) |
| Monday, January 10 | |
| · | Sons of God / daughters of men (18) |
| Tuesday, January 04 | |
| · | Sex for 1 (57) |
| Tuesday, December 21 | |
| · | Virgin birth. (43) |