Gambling Because Of Depression

[blindwillsee]

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I am a divorced father who had my daughter living with me for about six years when she was put into the juvenile system.

She now lives with her mother and blames me for all of her problems. I have been depressed for years due to this situation and my divorce

but hide it well from everyone. I moved to the Seattle area a couple of years ago and started gambling. I found that it made feel better

about my situation especially when I won which I did quite often for the first six months. I wasn't a regular gambler at first only every

so often when I got a wild hair. I then started gambling more and more often and the losses began to mount so much so I had to sell my vehicles,

not pay some bills and borrow money. It wasn't enough to win I would deplete my winnings to try to see if I could win more, then tried to win

back what I lost. I have lost entire paychecks in a single night. I tried to stop and did for a while about six months didn't set foot into a

casino.

Then about two months ago I met up again with a wonderful lady whom I went to high school and dated in Jr. High and haven't seen in over 20 years.

We decided to meet at one of the large casino's because she was new to the area and knew where that was. I gambled a little bit and did very well

and was able to stop and acutually won a few hundred bucks.

I thought I was ok with gambling again. So the next weekend we went to a comedy show at one of the casino's and we gambled a little bit

and I took her home. On the way back home for me I stopped by the casino and gambled a little more. That is when the problem started again

I didn't leave until all my money was gone, even though I was up by quite a bit at one point it wasn't the money it was the thrill of winning

and how it took the stress away. I can't explain it I have no other addiction problems. I have been seeing this lady now for a few months and

I told her about my issue with gambling. We decided not to go to casino's anymore. However she lives a long way from me and we don't see each

other but on the weekends. I have been gambling when I am gone from her and I don't want to tell her because she said if I continued to gamble

like I did she would not be with me. I want to stop, I have prayed to stop and do for a little while but when I get stressed I find myself back

there again. I want to stop completely and never set foot in another casino and live a happy life with this lady. She is the best thing that has

happened to me and I don't want to lose her. I also want to be a good example for my daughter too. Please pray that I can get my life in order and

set everything straight again and stop this compulsive behavior. I can't do this alone..Thank you!

 

[K-J]

Loving God, so long as we live in this world we cannot escape suffering and temptation. As it is written in Job: "The life of man upon earth is a warfare" (Job 7:1). Everyone, therefore, must guard against temptation and must watch in prayer, lest the devil, who never sleeps but goes about seeking whom he may devour, find occasion to deceive him. Teach us Father that no one is so perfect or so holy that he is not at some time tempted; man cannot be altogether free from temptation. But let us rejoice and not despair when we are tempted; let us pray to You, God with fervent hearts that let You yearn to help us. According to the word of Paul, You will make issue with temptation that we may be able to bear it. Let us humble our souls under Your hand in every trial and temptation for You will save and exalt the humble in spirit. Please grant this man the willpower and courage to resist temptation and flee, to seek You in nurturing his relationships, and forever stand in the power and freedom of Your love. In Jesus' name, crush these addictions and bring down the strongholds. Amen.