Tag Archives: Responsibility

Depression and faith: shared from the heart

Posted on August 19, 2015 by | Comments Off on Depression and faith: shared from the heart

depression and faithDepression and faith are in direct opposition to each other. Like many people, I struggle with depression and in the past, there have been times when it has gotten the best of me. We all have experienced family, friends, and even pastors make comments that are well-meaning but ill-received. I’m not writing this as psychological advice or for medical treatment purposes, but as a Christian man simply sharing what the Lord has laid upon my heart. For the last couple of days I have been struggling on how to share what the Lord has laid on my heart because I do understand how hurtful even some of the best intended advice can be when you’re dealing with depression. I’d like to share what I have learned about the real spiritual battle behind depression.

Defining depression and the medical definition

According to the website maintained by the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is defined as:

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being. People with depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, ashamed or restless. They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience overeating or loss of appetite, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions, and may contemplate, attempt or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, aches, pains, digestive problems or reduced energy may also be present. (NIMH – Depression)

Everyone has, at some time or another, suffered from depression. For many, it may be a temporary state that was the result of a single experience, event, or other trigger. For some, depression is a life-long battle. For nearly a century, there have been a variety of treatments used that includes everything from medications to electroshock therapy. Some are able to talk about their depression with others while some seem to be buried underneath it. As a Christian, the struggle becomes compounded when we hear from other Christians the platitudes of “it will pass” and “you’ll be ok” because at the depths of depression, it doesn’t feel temporary nor does it feel we will ever be the same again. In my own walk, I’ve struggled with depression and have tried to understand the relationship between depression and faith.

Whether it’s caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain or is the result of PTSD, depression and the extent of its effects differ from person to person. Some people have seasonal depression, others have severe chronic depression, and still others will slip into and out of depression on what seems like a cyclic pattern. With all this said, depression is a powerful emotion that can be managed through our faith in the Lord.

Biblical guidance to a better outlook

As regular readers know, 2006 was a major turning point in my life. I quit running and decided to fully accept Jesus as my personal savior and Lord. I also decided to study the Bible as seriously as I was studying the materials for my graduate degree. Like many people, I didn’t know what to expect nor did I realize how applicable the Bible is in today’s world. I was not raised in a Christian family and because of the various public schools, was a bit of a skeptic. What I began to realize was that the Bible is relevant and the advice contained within its scriptures is life-changing. Christianity is not merely a religion but an all-encompassing philosophy. Once I began to understand and accept that as fact, I really began to understand the beauty of the Lord’s advice.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus told his disciples, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). About three weeks ago, while facing depression, I came across that verse during my morning reading of the Bible.  On that particular day I was feeling incredibly low, and as I read that verse I began to see it from a different perspective. For those who suffer with depression, it can be a time of great tribulation – and here’s my Lord and Savior telling me that not only does He want me to have peace but be of good cheer. Jesus overcame the battle with depression; when He overcame the world, He overcame everything that the world could throw at Him, including depression.

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Posted in Christian Living, Difficulties and Trials, My Walk, Our relationship with God

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An alert watchman or passive bystander

Posted on April 13, 2015 by | Comments Off on An alert watchman or passive bystander

Chemical-Warning-Signs---Industrial-42948BBHPLY2WY-lgAre you an alert watchman or a passive bystander? That seems like a straight-forward question that deserves an honest answer but seldom will we give it when it comes to our sharing the gospel message. There’s very few of us who walk past a burning house without making sure that those who lived in the house were safe from the danger of the smoke and flames. None of us would walk past a burning car with people trapped inside without trying to get them out. Yet when it comes to having the most important conversation we can ever have with someone, many of us become passive bystanders.

An alert watchman

There’s a very telling passage of scripture within Ezekiel: Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul (Ezekiel 3:17-21). Although the Lord is revealing this to His prophet Ezekiel and his responsibility to the Hebrew people, there is a moral application that can be applied to Christians. 

Ezekiel was warned by God that because he was aware of the dangers facing Israel, he had a moral and spiritual obligation to sound the warning cry. Once the warning cry had been sounded, it was up to those that heard it to either heed the warning or to ignore it. Ezekiel’s obligation ended at sounding the warning; if he chose not to sound the warning, then anyone who died and was unrepentant of their sin, then Ezekiel would bear that responsibility. He would be held accountable by a holy and righteous God for not warning about His judgment and coming wrath. It was for this reason that Jonah spent three nights in the belly of the whale – God had given him instructions to warn those who lived in Nineveh; Jonah initially refused to sound the warning. He was content to be a passive bystander and content to watch God’s wrath and judgment poured out on people whom he (Jonah) had judged to be unworthy of God’s love and salvation.

Christians are to be alert watchmen

Within the gospels, as I shared often within this blog, Jesus gave Christians the responsibility to extend the gospel message. The book of Mark clearly defines our responsibility: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:14-16). In the book of Matthew, it states: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:19-20). In the book of Acts, we see that this commandment and responsibility is further defined by Jesus: And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 8:7-8). There is a clear teaching here – not only is it a commandment from Jesus for us to share the gospel, there is a moral obligation for us to share the gospel. God planned for each Christian to be an alert watchman, warning about the reality of hell and the importance of accepting Him as Lord and Savior.

In our modern society, we see various warnings all the time. Today’s image is one commonly seen near places where flammable liquids are often stored. The court system within our nation have upheld laws passed by all levels of government requiring places where flammable chemicals are stored to bear these warning signs. Similar legislation requires restaurants and stores to warn customers about wet floors. There are even local ordinances that require those who are on oxygen to hang a warning sign on the doors of their home warning visitors that oxygen, an extremely explosive gas, is being used within the home. If we, by legal obligation, most warn people of the physical dangers that await them, then why do we become hesitant to warn people of the judgment and wrath to come? Why do we become spiritual passive bystanders who seem indifferent to lost people who are facing the greatest spiritual danger – condemnation to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire.

I cannot think of anything more sad than me, as a Christian, not taking the time to share the most important thing we can ever share – our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – with those people we say we love and care about. Just as we would warn them if their house were on fire, we should, without any reservation, be willing to approach them in love and share the gospel message with them. There is no other conversation we can have with them that literally has the power to free them from the bondage of sin, that has the potential to change their eternal destination, and to truly be able to enjoy a more meaningful and deep fellowship with Jesus at its center. Just as Ezekiel was to sound the warning of the coming judgment of the Lord to all of Israel, Christians have a mandate to sound the warning to all the world, calling them to repentance, to the Lord, and teaching them about the teachings of Christ. This mandate extends to our children, our grandchildren, our siblings, parents, friends, grandparents, and coworkers – basically anyone that crosses our path each day.

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Posted in Chrisitian Philosophy, Christian Responsibility, Personal Evangelism

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The right tool for the job

Posted on January 12, 2015 by | Comments Off on The right tool for the job

toolsHaving the right tool for the job is incredibly important. I will admit that I am not as mechanically inclined as many of the men who go to church with me. I can’t listen to a car engine and know what is wrong, beyond brake repair and replacing an alternator, I’m not much good under the hood of a car. That’s fine with me and it doesn’t bother me that I lack those skill sets needed to be a mechanic. My Lord has given me other skills that I am thankful for and have been able to use to help others within our church, our families, and immediate neighbors. Whatever you do, whether it is auto mechanics, carpentry work, computer repair, or crochet, having the right tool for the job is extremely important. It often makes the difference between a well-done job with pleasing results or a patch job to get by.

The right tool: the Lord’s toolbox

I’m nothing special and it is the same with other Christians; we each have abilities and skills that complement one another. Think of the practicality of the local New Testament congregation as a toolbox for the Lord. Each member brings special skills, abilities, and talents that only they may have. When we think of a toolbox, most of us have several types of screwdrivers, a hammer or two, pliers, wire cutters, and some wrenches. Each tool is specific in its role and each tool has a purpose that the other tools cannot fill. If the tools were interchangeable and could all do the same jobs, we would only have that one tool. There would be no need for a toolbox full of tools. Paul had to discuss this very issue within the early church at Corinth: For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

I know I have written about this very topic often; it is a very important topic that too many Christians either do not take seriously or do not understand. God has a specific purpose for each of us and He wants us to be completely surrendered to Him so that we can do that purpose. In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul is having to explain this concept; some members of the church were focused on the bigger, more visible aspects of the church ministry and were less concerned with functioning within the skills, abilities, and talents they possessed.  Paul uses the imagery of the human body to explain that not everyone in the church can be a pastor or deacon, but that the other positions in the church are just as important for the church to be able to work as a whole. Just as having a toolbox full of screwdrivers wouldn’t help a plumber much, having a church body that’s missing youth workers, Sunday school teachers, and others to allow it to successfully carry out the mission that the Lord has set before all churches.

The right tool: you have a unique roll

It is often hard to understand, especially when you’re a young-in-the-faith Christian, exactly where you fit in. You may even ask yourself what could I possibly do that someone else hasn’t or isn’t already doing? I know that I have asked that question often in my own life more than once. It is easy to get caught up in emotion during a revival or missions conference and to “surrender” to our own sense of wanting to do something for the Lord. Sure, the heart may genuinely believe that you’re doing the right thing, but soon you discover that it’s not going like you had hoped it would. For a while, I thought I was supposed to be a missionary and I tried and tried, but no matter what I did, there never seemed to be any progress made. I had to learn through experience what Paul meant: If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him (1 Corinthians 12:17-18). It didn’t matter what I called myself, what matters was what God had designed me to be. God had a distinct role for me to fulfill in His ministry. God had given me a specific set of abilities, skills, and talents that if I were truly surrendered to His will in my life, I would be able to use. Paul wrote, For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29). When we are using the abilities, skills, and talents that the Lord has given us to support the local ministry, we never need to be ashamed or embarrassed to do what He has set for us to do. In effect, we allow ourselves to become the right tool for the job.

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