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A WORD IN SEASON
Every Christian needs encouragement. On this page you will find a message written with the primary aim of doing just that. It is our hope that these messages will encourage you in your walk with the Lord by drawing you closer to Him.
Fear; anxiety; depression - Peace; hope; joy!- PUBLISHED APRIL 2008
‘John went to see his doctor, because of a concern he had about his health. Following an examination, the doctor decided to refer him to a consultant at the hospital for some exploratory tests.
As he left the surgery, John began to dwell on what might be wrong, particularly as his doctor had given him no indication. As he journeyed home he began to fear the worst. By the time John arrived at his house he was gripped by anxiety.
Johns faith in Christ was put to the back of his mind, as he opened the front door where depression was waiting to greet him.’
Fear is the soil in which the seeds of anxiety are planted to produce an invasive growth of depression that wraps its roots around life.
If the Christian succumbs in this battle, there can only be one winner and that is the devil. His desire is to bind God’s children with fear, anxiety, and depression. With fear he kills hope, with anxiety he steals peace, with depression he destroys lives. If the devil is allowed to succeed he can cause the Christian to become impotent. So what can be done for those who, like John, find themselves bound by these chains?
God warns that anxiety will lead to depression (see Proverbs chapter 12 verse 25), so don’t be surprised if your anxiety has led you down this rocky road. God knows what you are stumbling through. Yet it is often at times like these that Christian’s take their eyes of off the Lord, their destination and place them squarely on the road ahead, their situation. So the first thing to do is to switch your gaze back to Him through praise and worship and the reading of His word.
And just as God’s word warns you where your anxiety will lead, so He provides the answer to it (see Philippians chapter 4 verses 6 and 7). You are to be anxious for nothing. God knows your future and is with you in it. Cry out to Him with thankfulness and speak to Him about the concerns that lay on your heart.
God can give you peace in place of fear; joy in place of anxiety; hope in place of depression. In John chapter 16 verse 33 Jesus says, “In Me you may have peace.” In 1 Timothy chapter 1 verse 1 the apostle Paul writes, “...the Lord Jesus Christ our hope.” In Nehemiah chapter 8 verse 10 we read, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” It is these truths that Jesus speaks about in John chapter 8 verse 32 when He says, The truth will set you free. Christ is at the very heart of scripture which is why He can say of Himself in John chapter 14 verse 6, “I am the truth.”
God can set you free from fear, anxiety and depression. He can bring you through these testing times. His plan for your life is perfect and nothing can thwart it. Are you willing to trust Him to do what His word says?
The next Word in season will be published late Spring 2008.
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