Depression
Do You Look at Life through a “Black Filter”?
Those who struggle in the darkness of depression have difficulty seeing the good in their circumstances and especially in themselves. They look at life through a “black filter.” The photographer who uses a black lens can take a picture during the daytime, but the final photograph will appear to be a night scene.
Depressed people see life through a black filter, feeling hatred toward themselves, helpless about their situations and hopeless over their future. If you’re walking in the darkness of depression, you need to see the light of the Lord and know that He cares.
Cherish these words from Isaiah 42:16, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”
So heed the signs of depression and ask God to help you work through your painful feelings. It will take time but your hope will be renewed!
Stress
Learning to Dwell First on God’s Faithfulness
Whether you’re experiencing a significant transition in your life or just a daily hassle, your individual beliefs, your attitudes, your thoughts will influence what becomes stressful to you. Therefore, it’s critical that the first signs of stress, or distress, be met with God’s truth.
Think about the words found in Philippians 4:8 we’re told how we can have His peace, “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Now the next verse ends with these words, “and the God of peace will be with you.”
So, if you dwell on God’s faithfulness to provide for you, He will replace your stress with His peace.
Codependency
Do you need people to feel good about yourself?
Do you believe the lie that you need people in your life so you can feel good about yourself? Do you think you need the approval of others to determine your worth or to feel important? Are you expecting people to meet all of your needs?
If you live your life with a misplaced dependency on others, you will miss the extraordinary relationship God has planned for you with Him.
In order to break a pattern of having codependent relationships, you need to be able to break the lies you believe, lies that keep this codependent pattern in place. Replace them with God’s truth so that you can live your life dependent on Him.
In King David’s own words from Psalm 21, “My salvation and my honor depend on God: He is my mighty rock, my refuge.”
Trials
Trusting God Through the Hardships
Facing the agony of the cross, Jesus was in great physical, mental and spiritual distress. He even came to the point where He questioned the Father three times; asking if there might be another way to redeem us, but there was none.
Then, Jesus faced the last, most painful trip to the crucible. The crucible of God’s refining fire, not out of weakness and defeat but out of strength and faith. Faith in the Father who loved Him. Jesus was able to trust the Father’s trial because He trusted the Father’s heart. His heart of love and compassion. He trusted the Father’s wisdom and understanding
You too can trust the Father’s heart of love and compassion. You can trust His wisdom and understanding. You can stand firm in the truth of Proverbs 3 verses 5 and 6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”