The proof that a person is a Christian is revealed in behavior, attitude and desires. illustrations or bookswho seem to have it all together and who seem to be able Psalms 51:1-11 (NASB). But he devotes special attention to such believers in one brief section not aiming, necessarily, to remove every doubt (something only God can do), but merely to help readers see themselves from a new, more gracious angle. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. In a 2017 Lifeway Research survey, a majority (66%) of Americans ages 23-30 said they stopped attending church on a regular basis for at least a year after turning 18. uncanny supernatural events. The sheer fact that you are struggling shows that you are not in this position meaning that you are 'already in large part victorious'. The Bible gives the reason for our struggles. If you are wondering, Am I a Christian? you are encouraged to read Searching for God and Are You A Christian? It is a difficult trial that can refine someones faith, but its not a punishment for sin. This perspective enables us to suffer well, knowing that the best is yet to come. Our being made righteous wont occur until our death or the Rapturewhichever comes first. word translated struggle was originally used to describe close combat. . Our ability to interpret Gods actions towards us as good is inevitably tied to our contentment and joy. The Lord has given you the promise that if you have believed in Jesus who died for your sins, God has already accepted you. If were unable to see his providence as good, we will never be content, and without contentment, we will never fully know the joy he has for us. Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. Personally, when I (Elizabeth) was depressed, my prayer life increased. Then confess them and then thank Him for forgiving you. June 6, 1993 | Ray Pritchard I would like to begin with three observations about this famous text. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. Do you think that's true? The statement also assumes that you know whats best and that Gods gifts arent best for you. Bringing hope and resources to military families worldwide. (Romans 8:3539), God loves us with an everlasting love. Because Ive placed my faith in Jesus and Hes paid for all my sin and brokenness on the cross, He will never walk away from me. capture new territory from the enemy. Counter the lies running through your head with the truth in the Bible. 1. Chloes only hope of curing her discontentment and unhappiness is learning the art of contentment and embracing a biblical view of God. They are sinners. John 16:8-9 helps us understand why this happens. Take my life. (1 Kings 19:4, NLT), O God my rock, I cry, Why have You forgotten me? But we often think it. the gospel through Gods holy people equipped by apostles, prophets, People who are depressed are already dealing with enough without also being shamed for not doing enough.. We need more struggling Among their top reasons was . And on the cross, He experienced separation from God in its fullness. Those words truth and righteousness are a summary Discontentment will eventually lead to sin, sin to guilt, guilt to depression, and depression back to discontentment. You cant serve without some part of you wanting to be praised. preached the gospel through the apostle Paul (Ephesians 3:8), Christ preached Outside of Christ, our souls are numb to the evil of sin. I love Chuck Swindolls definition of the term, justification: Justification is the sovereign act of God whereby He declares righteous the believing sinner while he or she is still in a sinning state. I needed God in a way I never had before. But thank God that, even as we share abundantly in Christs sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too (2 Corinthians 1:5). But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. Perhaps for you, that question looms like a shadow in the back of the soul, threatening your dearest hopes and peace. We shouldnt stop sharing the gospel with our friends or family members or colleagues just because its hard. The Christian life is not a joyless and fruitless struggle. Was it because of his own sins or his parents sins?. This post is part of a series of 70 reflections covering every sentence in Pauls letter to the Ephesians. What we believe about the gospel and our call to serve every nation. (Avoid emotionally draining movies and music that will feed your negative thoughts.). In Ephesians Chapter 4, Paul mentions that it's possible for us . They really are in sorrow over their sins. Freedom has a purpose: obedience. Is it a matter of knowing Christ, or living for Christ, or sharing Christ with others, or trusting Christ? They wait to come boldly to the throne of grace until they find something to bring with them. He has prepared us to do it, by giving us the gospel and his Holy Spirit. struggle to grow in the gospel. Why? Whatever fruit they bear seems covered with the mold of indwelling sin. We still sin because we, though forgiven, are still fallen human beings. Learn the basics of what Christians believe. Colossians 2:13(NASB). Dont hang up, I cry softly into the phone. Just as the Christian life is a lifelong struggle, so evangelism is a lifelong struggle. Elyse Fitzpatrick in Doubt: Trusting God's Promises adds that another way we know what's . (Jeremiah 20:7, NLT), I have had enough, LORD, he said. Radical dependence on God is crucial not only for surviving depression but also for ministry and leadership. Depression can be even more challenging for Christians because, unfortunately, there are misconceptions and stigmas associated with depression in many Christian communities. People automatically assume I have a cold or something." Mackenzie C. "It's true. People often feel at a loss to know how they can support loved ones with depression. Finding healing is not easy, and it takes time. but it is to go out with great strength, to use craft, subtlety, and force, so as to put the whole issue to a hazard. Owen asks us to imagine a man with a numb leg. Every godly impulse seems mixed with an ungodly one; every holy desire with something shameful. Its just as unreasonable to say suffering from depression or any other mental illness is a sin. Not only is this unhelpful, its unbiblical. A non-profit, 501(c)3 corporation. If youre interested in the reasons I say what I say here, and want to chase it up further with lots of ancient Greek, technical stuff, and footnotes, check out my book ReadingEphesiansandColossiansAfterSupersessionism: ChristsMissionthroughIsraeltotheNations. He lists temporary things such as pleasure, knowledge and wisdom, possessions, success, hard work and so on. He wanted forgiveness he wanted God to love him. (Jeremiah 31:3), Jesus loves us with the same love that the Father loves him. Should Christians follow Christ to become like Him. toohaving heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and also not just normal. I was desperately seeking deliverance. God never abandons His children. Owens final piece of counsel may feel counterintuitive to the unassured heart. And since he loves us, we should expect to suffer in this life just as Christ suffered, because suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:35). It is very hard to live comfortably and cheerfully among friends when one makes harsh interpretations of the words and actions of another. So, Paul is saying, we are to stand in the things The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him." (1 John 3:1, NIV) In Christ, you are loved. Grief over our sin, far from disqualifying us from the kingdom, suggests that comfort is on the way (Matthew 5:4). And because we knew betterand yet did it anywaywe fall for the lie that tells us we crossed a point of no return with God. The proof a person is filled with the Spirit is that they will be sinning less (Romans 8:13-14). As we look more closely at these The third reason you maybe struggling with sin is that you are a Christian. When Christians are physically unwell, they visit their doctor. If you have placed your trust in Jesus, that same Spirit lives within you. Not only can depression make you question God or feel distant from Him, but it can also make navigating Christian community more difficult. King David appears to have felt this way after he committed adultery and maneuvered to have his lovers husband killed in war. It is important to have people encourage you, walk beside you, pray for you, and remind you of the truth of Gods love and faithfulness during this difficult season. Yet, we will still sin. Wayne Stiles 1:13), Christ came 5. struggle against spiritual powers, but this struggle is not primarily about (Isaiah 41:13), Gods love is displayed and proven when he sent his Son to die for our sins. As Psalm 34:18 (NLT) says, The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.. Alexander, with all the world at his feet, cries for another world to conquer. However, there is a better way a path that leads to sweet contentment and true happiness. God can handle your doubts, frustrations, failures and darkest moments because He is astoundingly gracious. the things Paul has already said in his letter. If you are able, go to places where you can receive support and encouragement, like a church small group or a family gathering. Tell her to help me!, Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. If friends send you cards or pictures, hang them in places you can see them so they can be physical reminders of the people who love you. Here is Davids prayer of confession. Some people will never fully understand the truth about depression. This Bible verse comes from a chapter that warns against the temptation to stray from God into sin. Of course, it helps when we have encouragement and training and strategies and support for evangelism. Again, depression is a serious illness. It was not because of his sins or his parents sins, Jesus answered. Struggling is normal for Christians. preached the gospel through the apostle Paul (Ephesians 3:8). If we do not confess our sin after we sin, we will suffer. And were caught up in that struggle. Or as Owen puts it, Your state is not at all to be measured by the opposition that sin makes to you, but by the opposition you make to it (605). and our lives with others. Remember, you cannot out-sin the grace of God. The Christians unhappiness, discontentment, and view of God are directly linked. Life could always be better. It involves living, speaking and Take the next step in your faith journey with resources on prayer, devotionals and other tools for personal and spiritual growth. created according to God in the righteousness and devotion that come from the This is your first and greatest step in overcoming your struggle. July 16, 2019 If we truly are righteous in Christ Jesus (see Earlier Post about our identity in Christ), why do we need to be reminded to live righteous lives? Both were very outgoing and fun to be around much of the time. To say we are Christians because we asked Jesus to forgive our sins means we believe Christ will forgive us because He is our God, Savior and Lord. in heaven (see Ephesians 1:20), he does his missionary work through others. In this series, I dont go into detail justifying every statement I make about the background and meaning of Ephesians. We are to stand in all things having taken up the As we learn Christ, we The Greek word for forgiveness is a very special word. Yes, God has already forgiven a Christians past sins, any sins we will commit today and all future sins but He still asks us to confess our sins. God hears the cries of your heart and is with you. In the best of them there is such a mixture of self, hypocrisy, unbelief, vain-glory, that they are even ashamed and confounded with the remembrance of them (600). Variation: Being depressed means you are failing to trust God. Your service for God is an expression of the change He has brought about in your life rather than a strategy for winning His favor. We always want more. Its not easy to keep going, and its a struggle. In Romans 7:15, Paul, the apostle, shares with us his struggles with sin, For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. Showing God in action in and through His people. If youre in the thick of the dark and lonely place that is depression, I wish I could wrap my arms around you and cry with you, because I know how badly you hurt. Satan is the master of mixing lies with truths. What does the verse say? Its a spiritual Doubting God in Hard Times: My Story Jesus promised His followers the gift of the Holy Spirit God within them as His way of providing peace and guidance to them every day of their lives. If you want someone to address your depression in the context of your faith, some large churches have counselors on staff, and there are many Christian counselors available to help. His mercy reigns even in your brokenness. Yet, a Christian still sins. If you're in the thick of the dark and lonely place that is depression, I wish I could wrap my arms around you and cry with you, because I know how badly you hurt. Even when things were really bad, I knew that one day, I would be with God in heaven and I would never have to suffer again. Just as people with high blood pressure take medication to help their circulatory systems function better, you may need to seek out medication to help your brain function better. Am I a Christian since I struggle with sin? If thats the case, it is really important to find at least a few key people who can walk through your depression with you. Scripture says. Being able to process trauma and come up with strategies to reduce stressors and cope with difficulties can help people heal from depression. Having a safe community while I was in process helped me keep going, even at my lowest points. The most sensitive Christians, Owen writes, often find their hearts weak, and all their duties worthless. Reality: When people share their mental health concerns, those should be respected and kept in confidence. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. struggle for me?. Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. Do you labor, strive, watch, pray, and keep close to your Captain? If youre depressed, tell someone. I hate being single, so I should settle., My spouse doesnt satisfy me, so I should get a new one., My job isnt fulfilling, so I should quit., My church isnt exciting, so I should leave., Life is full of misery, so I should end it., God doesnt make me happy, so I should reject him., God is the one who helps; therefore, we have nothing to fear. We see ourselves in it. Peter would later write: Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. As long as his leg has lost sensation, the man endures deep cuts and lancings, and feels them not. Yet as soon as his nerves awake, he feels the least cut, and may think the instruments sharper than they were before, when all the difference is, that he hath got a quickness of sense (Works of John Owen, 6:604). They can testify about how God is working through whatever is happening in their lives. were close (Ephesians 2:17), Christ is now We might come up with a variety of ideas or possible outcomes, but we may never uncover the real problem. I (Elizabeth) remember sharing about my depression with a friend. If our view of God and life is too simple, then it can lead to frustration and fear. Her writing covers a wide variety of topics including Christianity, spiritual growth, mental health, foster care, adoption, parenting, and culture. find it hard to trust God, to live for Jesus, and to speak about Jesus with Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others. Reality: Depression and other mental illnesses do not disqualify people from leadership or church roles. Actually, this lie stems from our pride. Who will set me free from the body of this death? Their highest worship seems tainted with self-focus; their best obedience seems spoiled by strains of insincerity. Because life is really, really hard- and it doesn't get any better when we act like nothing bad is happening. . A born and bred Southern girl, Id gotten married, started a new job and moved across the country to Minnesota all within two weeks, and just in time for the cold. I know that in the midst of my battles with discontentment and besetting sins, its hard to view what is happening in my life as anything but a condemnation and punishment. the things Paul has already said in his letter, to be I've seen what life is like without Him leading and with me trying to do it alone. Because ultimately the proclamation of the gospel is not something that is up to us and our own strength. When we believe in Jesus, God doesnt make us righteous. You've raised a great and tricky question. has talked about previously in his letter, and describing these things as Living for the gospel will be a lifelong struggle. The Apostle Paul calls Christians saints or holy ones in Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; and Colossians 1:2. But we often think it. Many people with depression are so skilled at hiding their condition that you would never know from the outside. Do you feel that its hard, day after day, to keep going? God gives the strength we need; he must work within us. No matter how much you obey on the outside, when you look within you find a mass of conflicting desires and warring ambitions. In contrast, Jesus was gentle and kind with people who were struggling and even sinning but who were open to God changing their lives. to live victorious Christian lives, happy and largely free from struggles. He knew the crisis they were about to go through. James 1:24 complements the words of Burroughs: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.. Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. : For me (Mary), depression came with the winter, though warning signs could be felt and seen much sooner. Can we have any confidence of assurance if we find sin so relentlessly tempting? Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus. Depression plays tricks with your thoughts and emotions. Such difficulties can make walking difficult. But we can go even further. The Christian life is a struggle. And walking with Jesus doesn't mean I will never face hard stuff or have questions or be tempted or wrestle in my faith. Welcome to the human race. Sometimes you will have to overcome the stigma and misconceptions that surround depression as you seek support. Therapy or counseling can be a crucial part of treatment for many people suffering from depression. equipped by the Spirit of the Lord to bring justice and salvation and judgment The only works that God accepts are those that have been washed in the blood of Jesus (Revelation 7:14). Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow not even the powers of hell can separate us from Gods love. I remember meeting so many people at their funerals who were stunned and confused. It is gossip to talk about others mental health behind their backs. So, why do you suppose Christian's struggle? Of course, Gods well done says less about the worth of our works than about the wonder of his mercy. Experiencing depression can give people compassion or perspective in a way that actually makes them excellent leaders. But think about it. Just as we couldnt save ourselveswe needed Gods grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)so we cannot live the Christian life in our own strength. Read all the posts in this series or subscribe to the audio podcast, Paul describes trusting God, living for him, being transformed and changed, and sharing Jesus I was tired. Reality: Depression usually needs to be treated with more than prayer. Even if you are confident of Gods care in the midst of your suffering, it can still be difficult to navigate Christian community. All who come to Christ, trust in Christ, and embrace Christ find the forgiveness that is with Christ. Chapter 7 could be entitled, "Saved Yet Struggling." Paul tells his readers, "We are truly saved and you can see the result of it in your lives, however, while you are in the flesh you will still struggle with sin." In this chapter Paul describes the struggle in his own life. Sin would grieve us less if it left us alone more often: if pride were not ready to rise on all occasions, if anger did not flame up from the smallest sparks, if foolish thoughts did not fill our minds so often. Reality: Church community should be a safe environment for people to discuss mental health without judgment. Or, as we used to say in church growing up, If God never does another thing for us, hes already done enough. This view of Gods goodness reflects a humble heart before a holy and good God. We are going to heaven. Absolutely. Absolutely. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Sadly, mental illness is often met with judgment instead of compassion and support. He feared God would reject him. Stress can cause ulcers and increase the risk of a heart attack, very serious illnesses that, like depression, need treatment, not condemnation. Its also available in audio podcast format. Observation number one is this: Romans 7 is a passage that grips us because we understand exactly what it is saying. Copyright Like The Master Ministries. God literally could not be closer to you in whatever you are experiencing. struggles of the ordinary Christian life. Our discontentment leads to wishful but hopeless (and sometimes suicidal) thinking. Regardless, you're physically burdened. The struggle of the Christian life also (603). I (Mary) find myself in tears whenever I hear people say they want to kill themselves because Ive been there. . Do you grip your shield and swing your sword? Physically, a bad heart can cause us to get out of breath as we walk. created according to God in the righteousness and devotion that come from the For individuals like me, anxiety goes hand in hand with depression and I'm not alone. Gluttony is a sin of the flesh. But the heart knows its own bitterness (Proverbs 14:10), and so too its own darkness. If you feel you are struggling with sin, there is no better time to get reconnected to the Bible. The truth is, your struggle against sin is a huge clue that the Spirit of God is working in your life. Whether or not any of that is part of Our Father hangs our pictures upon his wall because Christ adorns them with the jewels of his own crown. You are in pain; you may wonder where God is. or advancing or comfort or career. We deserve Gods wrath, yet daily we receive new mercies. . God gives the strength we need; he must work within us. It's often the same when troubles come our way. Its about Would you like to give your time to work with Cru? the Old Testament book of Isaiah. others. 5:7. While God can do whatever he wants because he is God, we must also see the sovereignty of God through the lens of God's love. What we really tell ourselves with this lie is: If Im not perfect, God is angry with me. When we listen to the lie, we confuse. Unless youve gone through depression, it is difficult to comprehend how terrible it is. In a way, Owens entire book is his answer to that question. think they should be. Empathy is powerful. Christians can still benefit from secular counseling. He is not angered by your honest words. If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit will convict you for some sin(s) that you need to confess. 1 Peter 4:12. Gods plans are cosmic plans, and they involve cosmic powers, powers that are themselves caught up that great plan of God to sum up all things in Christ: things in heaven and things on earth, in him (Ephesians 1:10). Because Christians are legally declared to be holy. So in these verses, Paul is reminding us that our struggles as Christians arent something strange or unexpected. faith that God brings us to salvation (Ephesians 1:13; gospel truth, and we need to keep seeking to live it out and growing day by day Experiencing culture shock after traveling to a developing area can be difficult. Sin may burden and tempt you, oppose and oppress you. The danger is that we give up the struggle. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. We need you. Sadly, my friend needlessly suffered from depression for years and even despaired of life itself. You crave the eternal. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." We can only find Him when we come to Him through faith in His Son ( John 14:6 ). The doctor diagnosed him with major depression and prescribed antidepressants. Jesus told His followers, "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33, NIV) Other versions of this verse say, "In this world you will . Whether you think you are having a serious conversation about a real issue or you are just sharing gossip, using specific examples from the life of a person you know is a breach of their trust. 1. The words Paul uses come from Christian life is fundamentally a struggle. But I am going to keep trying, so that I may keep growing. I needed professional help, but medications and therapy take time to work. . This is especially true when people are seeking treatment or have depression that is well controlled. . Depression makes it hard to make some of the right Christian choices you might normally. How do you vote that way? He knew that some introspective believers, bruised with a sense of their indwelling sin, would respond, Yes, there is forgiveness with God, but I see so much darkness within myself is there forgiveness for me?. The faith that nourishes both obedience and assurance arises only from larger and clearer views of Christ. (1 John 4:10), Nothing can separate us from Gods love absolutely nothing. Trust Him to grow you through these challenges. Because chronic stress and trauma can cause physical and chemical changes in the body and brain, they can trigger or worsen depression. This should give us great Reality: You cannot always tell that someone is depressed from how they look or act. She came to Him and asked, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? He is the Director of Communications at Reformed Theological Seminary and a finance coach and blogger through his site. Others may struggle to understand why. renewed by the Spirit of your minds and put on the new humanity, which has been Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:1112), Hes been seeking to encourage the faith of his readers, to help them to lift their eyes and give them resources to fight that battle and help them to stand, that great plan of God to sum up all things in Christ: things in heaven and things on earth, in him (Ephesians 1:10), ReadingEphesiansandColossiansAfterSupersessionism: ChristsMissionthroughIsraeltotheNations. My friends mother is a strong Christian who cares deeply for her son, but she bought into the myth that depression is not real. Seeking help for depression does not mean you do not have enough faith or that you are a bad Christian.

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