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This is a very touchy subject, I know. And something not many Christians would admit to. But I'm going to do that. Yes, I have struggled with self-injury in the past - it consumed me and became my life. You may think what you want about it, but if you don't have personal experience, you can't really say it's the truth. I self-injured myself before I was a Christian, and after, because it was an addiction. I still struggle with it. Not as much, because God's so much stronger, but it's a problem I have, and a problem I need a lot of help overcoming.

But how can a Christian self-injure? Isn't that against what they believe? Yes. But it's a struggle. It's HARD. And it doesn't help when everyone around you tells you that Christians should not be doing that. How can you do that when you have God? I ask myself that all the time. I try, but trying isn't good enough. I still fall into temptation, because it's so strong. And making me feel guilty isn't going to make me, or anyone else, stop.

What we need are people who understand us. People who can talk about these things without feeling uncomfortable, but who are also with the Lord. What I'm proposing is a guild for Christian self-injurers - but I don't know if there are enough Christian self-injurers on Gaia to do that. But this EZboard I'm a part of that's for Christians who struggle with self-injury is like a safehaven to me - because we understand each other, and support each other, and help each other while using God's truth and spreading God's love. And I want to make that kind of safehaven for other people who feel as alone and shunned as I once did.

But would it go well? Or would it just die? Maybe I should just do self-injurers in general, but make it Christian-based? I mean, of course we'd accept anyone, but calling it a "Christian self-injurers" guild would kind of only point to certain people. I want to know what's in Gaia - who's out there reading this and being affected by it? I really feel led to do this, I want to be able to make a safehaven for self-injurers who want the support, whether they're Christian or not, but I tend to find the "Christian self-injurer" is referred to as an oxymoron, so that makes us even less accepted. Let me know what you guys think....

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I always try to deal with self-injurers, but there is something I don't understand, which is keeping me from being of any use. Why do they do it? It baffles me.....not in a bad way, but as in making me curious.....

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I suggest becoming a Satan worshipper. I'm sure it's a good sign in those circles.

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gah.. christianity.. is a religon for the weak..

i know im going to get flamed for saying that.. so im going to leave now..

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I am a Christian also and i am struggling with the same thing if you want to talk just PM me or something

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Tatewaki Unryu
I always try to deal with self-injurers, but there is something I don't understand, which is keeping me from being of any use. Why do they do it? It baffles me.....not in a bad way, but as in making me curious.....


Well, if you want to talk to me personally about the issue, feel free to PM me. Otherwise, there are plenty of threads here about self-injury, and plenty of websites and books you could look up.

[Kairo]
gah.. christianity.. is a religon for the weak..

i know im going to get flamed for saying that.. so im going to leave now..


To each their own (I'm sure you've heard all the arguments). Though, that was a little off-topic.

Ineptitude
I suggest becoming a Satan worshipper. I'm sure it's a good sign in those circles.


Hm, I wouldn't know. wink But, this is what I'm talking about, it doesn't make people feel fluffy inside when people associate self-injuring with Satan worshipping.

Dragon Fire Shotter
I am a Christian also and i am struggling with the same thing if you want to talk just PM me or something


Thanks for being honest, and thanks for your concern. I'd love to talk with you sometime. I'm trying to find more people like you, or more people who would be interested, so I know making the guild will be worth it... I don't exactly have 20k right now... sweatdrop

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Oh yeah, I'm thinking I should broaden this to more types of self-harm, like emotional self-harm, knowing someone who self-harms, eating disorders... I don't want it to turn into a guild to encourage these behaviors, but I want to support them and help them and give them hope.. and I want to keep it Christian. Anyone?

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emobeagles
This is a very touchy subject, I know. And something not many Christians would admit to. But I'm going to do that. Yes, I have struggled with self-injury in the past - it consumed me and became my life. You may think what you want about it, but if you don't have personal experience, you can't really say it's the truth. I self-injured myself before I was a Christian, and after, because it was an addiction. I still struggle with it. Not as much, because God's so much stronger, but it's a problem I have, and a problem I need a lot of help overcoming.

But how can a Christian self-injure? Isn't that against what they believe? Yes. But it's a struggle. It's HARD. And it doesn't help when everyone around you tells you that Christians should not be doing that. How can you do that when you have God? I ask myself that all the time. I try, but trying isn't good enough. I still fall into temptation, because it's so strong. And making me feel guilty isn't going to make me, or anyone else, stop.

What we need are people who understand us. People who can talk about these things without feeling uncomfortable, but who are also with the Lord. What I'm proposing is a guild for Christian self-injurers - but I don't know if there are enough Christian self-injurers on Gaia to do that. But this EZboard I'm a part of that's for Christians who struggle with self-injury is like a safehaven to me - because we understand each other, and support each other, and help each other while using God's truth and spreading God's love. And I want to make that kind of safehaven for other people who feel as alone and shunned as I once did.

But would it go well? Or would it just die? Maybe I should just do self-injurers in general, but make it Christian-based? I mean, of course we'd accept anyone, but calling it a "Christian self-injurers" guild would kind of only point to certain people. I want to know what's in Gaia - who's out there reading this and being affected by it? I really feel led to do this, I want to be able to make a safehaven for self-injurers who want the support, whether they're Christian or not, but I tend to find the "Christian self-injurer" is referred to as an oxymoron, so that makes us even less accepted. Let me know what you guys think....


I say just pray to god ask forgivness and aske him to help u kil the temptation

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wow, i can't believe that there are so many Christians out there and like no one has actually posted with advice and any kind of relation.

i'm Catholic and i used to inflict pain upon myself. it's so addictive, it feels so good. but it's not right. it's hard to quit but you should. it will help you become a better person. try this...
1. you are living for God, everything you do is for Him
2. there are people in your life that will care about you, if your friend did this or something worse i'm sure you'd be hurt, so put yourself in their shoes.
3. everything has already been planned out in your life. it's just a matter of attitude. if you believe in choice...

then understand that you have the ability and the freedom to choose. this is a gift from God and you should love Him and thank Him for it by not abusing it by abusing yourself. you're hurting your relationship with Him and that's not what He wants you on earth for.

if you believe in fate...
everything you do is not your own choice, even though it might seem like it is it's not. God knew this would be how you would deal with your problems, He probably also planned that you would give it up for Him. you can't just sit around and hope for the best because everything that you think you choose isn't what you choose. it's what God planned, it just depends on how you think, think postive and fulfil your destiny. i'm sure God did not create you to be harmed.

live life to the fullest, live for YOU. if you can't live for you then live for God. you can't live fully unless you accept your sufferings and blessings and the chance you have to be happier. don't hurt yourself because that is a sign that you are unhappy with God's creation. do all you can to resist and remember that if you ever are in need God is there for you.

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I don't think creating a guild would be the best idea. In creating a guild, you might get some help on ways to quit, but you're more than likely just going to accept it as part of who you are. When you're surrounded by a ton of other people who are injuring themselves as well, who are also "justified" in their reasons, you're not going to be as motivated to get help.
You said yourself that you're part of a board with other Christian Self-injurers, and while they may have comforted you, how much have they actually helped? You're still doing it.
You need to seek professional help, and you need to overcome your addiction, not surround yourself and become comfortable with the idea of injuring yourself.

PM me if you want any tips, I know people who have injured themselves, I know why people injure themselves, I've done it to myself in the past, and I've helped people overcome it.

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Irate Camel
I don't think creating a guild would be the best idea. In creating a guild, you might get some help on ways to quit, but you're more than likely just going to accept it as part of who you are. When you're surrounded by a ton of other people who are injuring themselves as well, who are also "justified" in their reasons, you're not going to be as motivated to get help.
You said yourself that you're part of a board with other Christian Self-injurers, and while they may have comforted you, how much have they actually helped? You're still doing it.
You need to seek professional help, and you need to overcome your addiction, not surround yourself and become comfortable with the idea of injuring yourself.

PM me if you want any tips, I know people who have injured themselves, I know why people injure themselves, I've done it to myself in the past, and I've helped people overcome it.

I know people who have injured themselves, I know why people injure themselves, I've done it to myself in the past, and I've helped people overcome it, too. I'm not doing this for myself - I have the EZboard I'm a part of, and self-injury doesn't control me like it once did, the worst is over. You have a point, I'm scared of people thinking I'm encouraging self-harm, which I would never do - I want it to be for people who want to get better, not for people to encourage each other to do it. I don't think any forum on any online website can help someone stop hurting themself - all we can do is give them comfort. Wouldn't it be nice for someone to run to a safehaven where they don't have to be worried about being ridiculed when they want to hurt themselves, and instead write about it, and talk about it? Do we really want people who do this to feel like freaks, to hate themselves more? That only causes someone to hurt themselves more.

samui_blood
wow, i can't believe that there are so many Christians out there and like no one has actually posted with advice and any kind of relation...

Wow, thanks, that was alot of advice. Are you for the idea of this guild?

GostStorm
I say just pray to god ask forgivness and aske him to help u kil the temptation

It's a bit more complicated than that sweatdrop Though, praying is the most important thing.

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emobeagles
This is a very touchy subject, I know. And something not many Christians would admit to. But I'm going to do that. Yes, I have struggled with self-injury in the past - it consumed me and became my life. You may think what you want about it, but if you don't have personal experience, you can't really say it's the truth. I self-injured myself before I was a Christian, and after, because it was an addiction. I still struggle with it. Not as much, because God's so much stronger, but it's a problem I have, and a problem I need a lot of help overcoming.

But how can a Christian self-injure? Isn't that against what they believe? Yes. But it's a struggle. It's HARD. And it doesn't help when everyone around you tells you that Christians should not be doing that. How can you do that when you have God? I ask myself that all the time. I try, but trying isn't good enough. I still fall into temptation, because it's so strong. And making me feel guilty isn't going to make me, or anyone else, stop.

What we need are people who understand us. People who can talk about these things without feeling uncomfortable, but who are also with the Lord. What I'm proposing is a guild for Christian self-injurers - but I don't know if there are enough Christian self-injurers on Gaia to do that. But this EZboard I'm a part of that's for Christians who struggle with self-injury is like a safehaven to me - because we understand each other, and support each other, and help each other while using God's truth and spreading God's love. And I want to make that kind of safehaven for other people who feel as alone and shunned as I once did.

But would it go well? Or would it just die? Maybe I should just do self-injurers in general, but make it Christian-based? I mean, of course we'd accept anyone, but calling it a "Christian self-injurers" guild would kind of only point to certain people. I want to know what's in Gaia - who's out there reading this and being affected by it? I really feel led to do this, I want to be able to make a safehaven for self-injurers who want the support, whether they're Christian or not, but I tend to find the "Christian self-injurer" is referred to as an oxymoron, so that makes us even less accepted. Let me know what you guys think....
I gotta say... wow, thats pretty awesome that you believe so strongly in the Lord, whatever you do, dont lose that belief. I have before, and things went down hill and i had a terrible time trying to re-gain the faith again, and yes i was into self harm, but just remember that the Lord forgives, the problem with many people today is forgiving ourselves, and thats what other people are here for, is to help us through the trials we face today (or so i believe) anyway, i hope this helped some, if you want, you can add me and we can talk more later smile 3nodding

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I had a reply for Irate Camel, but Gaia ate my post.

Grr.

>_<

Ah well. I've gotta go now, but I'll try again later!

Edit: I had quoted a topic I myself had started at Silver Lining (the board emobeagles referred to) to point out some similar fears I've had, and some stuff that other members have said, so here's the link to that thread if you're interested (and of course, a shameless plug for SL in general! wink )

Thread--fear of not doing the "right thing"

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Well you must remember that no person is ever perfect and that we each face problems differentley. Atleast you realise this as a problem and are taking a step in the right direction. You should seek help, whether proffesional or simply friends/family, and talk about it. From there I suggest asking God to help you overcome this, since our strength is nothing comapred to his. We are the temple of GOd and should respect it as much. Yet you are not alone and other fellow christians will try to help you in this. I to had an addiction, whic was to adult images. It ttok me a while but I was able to get past and so can you. I hoped this can help you in some way.

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Tatewaki Unryu
I always try to deal with self-injurers, but there is something I don't understand, which is keeping me from being of any use. Why do they do it? It baffles me.....not in a bad way, but as in making me curious.....


Oh, I can answer that one- ( http://www.thehelpline.net/selfinjury.html )

(Taken from the link above)

Why Do People Self-Injure?

The Purpose Self-Injury Serves
The alteration or destruction of body tissue may be regarded on its surface (both literally and figuratively) as a morbid behavior on the one hand, and as a self-help behavior on the other (Favazza and Conterio 198 cool . We all have methods of coping with stress, whether it is emotional, physical or psychological. Coping is a behavior, which an individual utilizes to get through stressful, and difficult times as best they can. And sometimes the methods we use are extreme, perhaps excessive in comparison to the original stress. Self-injury is an example of an extreme method, but a method that, nonetheless, serves its purpose. Mentally ill self-injurers have an increased risk of suicide, although self-injury itself in not a failed attempt at suicide. It is frequently mistaken for a suicidal gesture, but there is a clear distinction between repetitive self- injury and suicide attempts. Self-injury is intended not to kill, but rather to relieve unbearable emotional pain and many survivors regard it, paradoxically, as a form of self-preservation (Herman 1992). The reasoning behind self-injury is diverse and by no means the same for all self- injurers. Self-injurers may give a single reason for their behavior, but, more commonly, their reasons are multiple and sometimes, on the surface, seemingly conflicting. Some of the more common purposes that self-injury serves are explored below.

RELIEF FROM OVERWHELMING EMOTIONS is one of the reasons given most often for self-injury. The immense internal psychic pressure felt from overwhelming emotions can seem uncontrollable, frightening, and dangerous. People who self-injure have often not learned to identify, express, or release their emotions. Most have never developed the ability to feel and express emotions as others do. They may not have been allowed to show or release their true emotions. Yet their feelings still exist, whether they show them or not. They may have adopted self-injury as a strategy for getting relief from these intense feelings (Alderman 1997). The relief gained from these emotions is rapid, but temporary. The effectiveness of self-injury, at the moment, to provide relief and release is one of the reasons why self-injurers find it so difficult to stop.
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