There may be a sin pattern--a weakness--that is at the lava-hot center of your spiritual battle. It's the main topic of your thought and concern. It's what you want to overcome...but it's overcoming you.
No End In Sight
The battle has become such a loss that you may be beginning to lose hope that you will ever change--and that is what, through the lie of condemnation and spiritual depression, that Satan yells loudly in your face at times like these, isn't it?
The Bottom Line of the Lie
The bottom line is, Satan takes advantage of lack of Godliness to tell you and attempt to snag your belief into the lie that your God is not mighty or sovereign enough--that He doesn't provide the "way of escape" from temptation promised in Scripture (1 Corinthians 10:13), and that no one cares and is only better off without you in the world. He can take you all kinds of directions on any given shortfall.
But...
But, God is still God! I have been facing a fierce battle in my own walk where I have never felt (or been) weaker. During worship at church recently, my wonderful mother-in-law sensed a word from the Lord for me as I wept, and it was this (paraphrasing as accurate as possible):
"I believe, Franz, as you face the areas of your life that you have expressed you feel weak in and you have told us that you have fallen short in, that the Lord is saying to you, simply come--just as you are--in your current condition, with all of your failures. Come to Him because you are simply a child of God and for no other reason."
That hit the nail right on the head.
Fight the Battle Already Won
God wants to show us His captivating majesty and glory. He wants to pour out His blessing, His refreshment, His strength on us. He has won against sin, He has won our hearts (even with our failures), and He will see us win this battle. Run forth in the freedom of grace, soldier!
And now to close with one of my all-time favorite songs:
Mighty to Save
by Hillsong
Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
And fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.
Savior, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus
Challenge and Application Questions
- Do you take comfort in the words above?
- Will you ask God for confidence in His promises and delight in His care for you?
- Think or even write down the lies Satan has led you to believe, then find truth in the Word for each one. It's there!
- Meditate on these passages, and see that the invitation to return to the Father and remain in His arms is wide open:
"...return to the Lord"(Isaiah 55:7),
"...return to the Lord" again (Lamentations 3:40),
"...return to the Lord" yet again (Hosea 6:1),
"...so turn, and live" (Ezekiel 18:30-32),
and Jesus' parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
This is just a sample of the abundance of hope found in the Word. May we dive into it and find our only hope!
Article: Hope for the Depressed by Ed Welch
