Recently, I talked with an acquaintance about things I’ve been struggling with. I shared with her a passage about depression from a book I was reading. Her response reminded me of the religious advice I received when I first became disabled twenty-one years ago.
“Just pray and believe, you can overcome anything; you can do anything and there is nothing to fear." In the movie Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller shared, “The church believes because God is on your side, you can do what you want.” Religious people are too strong for God.
The New and Old Testaments are full of stories about God humbling His people through suffering (Psalm 34:19, Isaiah 43:2, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 4:12-19.) Jesus told His disciples they would face many trials in this world.
Jesus Himself suffered as foretold through prophecy (Psalm 22:1-32). Matthew explains Jesus’ struggle in the garden, He endured the cross to win sweet victory (Matthew 26:42).
Twenty chapters before, Jesus calmed the storm He was in with His disciples without even a splash (Matthew 8:23-27). As sure as hurricanes hit Havannah, the rain will come.
STORMS?
Sometimes, when it rains it pours and we can hardly breathe. Each of us will face storms in our lives; there are hills and valleys in life. It can be physical, financial, emotional and even spiritual. I’ve heard the closer we get to God, the more the devil comes after us. Especially if we shout it out—God—I was made for loving you.
This happened when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Satan offered Jesus an opportunity not to suffer (Matthew 4:1-11.) But, Jesus knew the good that would come from His suffering.
Even strong leaders in the faith face storms, author Randy Alcorn blogged about his experiences with depression a couple of years ago. In his post he cited Charles Spurgeon’s battle with depression. Most just don’t talk about it.
The first century church grew because of persecution coming from the religious leaders of Judaism. The Pharisees believed they were great because they were the people of God.
If you think you’re special and protected from hardship because you belong to God, you’re a religious Pharisee—instead of a humble servant of God.
Jesus told stories about the pride of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:2-6, Mark 12:38. Luke 20:46); He made it clear their greatness was at war with the kingdom of God.
I recently wrote an article about writing with a disability and how God uses our weaknesses to do His will; God is glorified in our weakness!
GROW?
I’ve heard what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger, trials help us grow; God is making a masterpiece (Eph. 2:10-20). Jesus faced the cross because He knew ressurection Sunday was coming, keep holdin’ on. Pain from spiritual growth can be out of this world.
Things we view as bad or hurtful cause us to turn to God. The Bible tells a story about one of Jesus’ friends dying, only so Jesus could raise him from the dead. Lazarus literally means God is my help.
It’s imperative we remember this truth as we face hardship in life like the first century church. There are times you will suffer and so will I. My mother used to say, “April showers bring May flowers.”
Y.A. author Tessa Hall wrote in her book Unwritten Melody, “The depression, despair, even death itself—can be transformed into something beautiful.”
Lately, it seems like I’m drowning in a flood of suffering: physical, financial, emotional and spiritual disappointments. Thankfully, we serve a God who can levitate and walk on water (Matthew 14:22-23), even in storms!
“Just pray and believe, you can overcome anything; you can do anything and there is nothing to fear." In the movie Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller shared, “The church believes because God is on your side, you can do what you want.” Religious people are too strong for God.
The New and Old Testaments are full of stories about God humbling His people through suffering (Psalm 34:19, Isaiah 43:2, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 4:12-19.) Jesus told His disciples they would face many trials in this world.
Jesus Himself suffered as foretold through prophecy (Psalm 22:1-32). Matthew explains Jesus’ struggle in the garden, He endured the cross to win sweet victory (Matthew 26:42).
Twenty chapters before, Jesus calmed the storm He was in with His disciples without even a splash (Matthew 8:23-27). As sure as hurricanes hit Havannah, the rain will come.
STORMS?
Sometimes, when it rains it pours and we can hardly breathe. Each of us will face storms in our lives; there are hills and valleys in life. It can be physical, financial, emotional and even spiritual. I’ve heard the closer we get to God, the more the devil comes after us. Especially if we shout it out—God—I was made for loving you.
This happened when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Satan offered Jesus an opportunity not to suffer (Matthew 4:1-11.) But, Jesus knew the good that would come from His suffering.
Even strong leaders in the faith face storms, author Randy Alcorn blogged about his experiences with depression a couple of years ago. In his post he cited Charles Spurgeon’s battle with depression. Most just don’t talk about it.
The first century church grew because of persecution coming from the religious leaders of Judaism. The Pharisees believed they were great because they were the people of God.
If you think you’re special and protected from hardship because you belong to God, you’re a religious Pharisee—instead of a humble servant of God.
Jesus told stories about the pride of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:2-6, Mark 12:38. Luke 20:46); He made it clear their greatness was at war with the kingdom of God.
I recently wrote an article about writing with a disability and how God uses our weaknesses to do His will; God is glorified in our weakness!
GROW?
I’ve heard what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger, trials help us grow; God is making a masterpiece (Eph. 2:10-20). Jesus faced the cross because He knew ressurection Sunday was coming, keep holdin’ on. Pain from spiritual growth can be out of this world.
Things we view as bad or hurtful cause us to turn to God. The Bible tells a story about one of Jesus’ friends dying, only so Jesus could raise him from the dead. Lazarus literally means God is my help.
It’s imperative we remember this truth as we face hardship in life like the first century church. There are times you will suffer and so will I. My mother used to say, “April showers bring May flowers.”
Y.A. author Tessa Hall wrote in her book Unwritten Melody, “The depression, despair, even death itself—can be transformed into something beautiful.”
Lately, it seems like I’m drowning in a flood of suffering: physical, financial, emotional and spiritual disappointments. Thankfully, we serve a God who can levitate and walk on water (Matthew 14:22-23), even in storms!
