Tag: baptism

By Pastor Andrew Farland

I remember a season of depression that was so strong it felt like I was holding onto a cliff by my fingernails.

After I began experiencing regular panic attacks, and at the recommendation of a mentor, I visited a professional counselor. It was in that counselor’s office that I shared my entire story, what I had been feeling and thinking, my deepest struggles, and my darkest fears.

Some people might say that when they unloaded their baggage for the first time, to a counselor, they immediately felt better. That was far from the truth in my case.

Instead, my panic attacks remained consistent and I had the same amount of minimal joy as before. The difference was that I had a prescription for medication that would increase the serotonin levels in my brain. I hoped the medicine would help me feel somewhat normal again.

The catch? I would need to take the medication for 42 days before I could see glimpses of its positive impact. So, I buckled down and, with the help of my mentor, declared this milestone the 42-yard line.

I would have to wait. Nothing was going to happen overnight. And, I’ll be honest with you, the first 41 days were extremely tough.

Something amazing, almost miraculous, happened when I reached the 42-yard line. I noticed a change. Things weren’t perfect by any means, but after the 43, 44, 45, 46 yard-lines, I could see some serious progress. Though I’m still an unfinished project, I tell you my story because there is definitive light at the end of the tunnel. God wants you to hear this: It’s going to take time, but you’re going to get there.

The important phrase to remember today is “you’re going to get there.” God is with you every step of the way. It’s going to take time, but things are going to get better.

2 Thessalonians 1:4
“Therefore, among God’s churches, we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

One of the most enticing things about the Bible is its realness.

In its pages are men and women, deeply flawed and imperfect, who are trying to honor God in their lives. These people make mistakes and have to ask God for forgiveness. Sometimes, they have to make the same mistake repeatedly before they finally learn their lesson.

I don’t know about you, but I can relate to that. We are trying to follow God, but many times, our humanity gets in the way.

One of those human realities that can get in the way is depression and anxiety. As something that is out of our control, depression can negatively affect our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Let’s call these the “3 tanks.”

When we’re battling through depression, these are the areas of our life that we need to work on, step by step.

If that’s you if you feel like your 3 tanks are depleted, follow my advice for starting the process of crawling out of the mess and back into a life with God.

Physical.
Deal with your physical tank first: your diet, relationships, exercise. Work on your health. Go to a doctor and take a physical. Do everything in your power to get yourself in good shape. You’ll find that all three tanks are connected.

Emotional.
After dealing with your physical health, start working on your emotional health. Talk regularly with a seasoned mentor. Go see a professional counselor. You will find that as your physical health gets better, your emotional health will get better, too. But, take the necessary steps to intentionally nurture your emotional well-being.

Spiritual.
Wait until you’re ready to receive spiritual growth before working on your relationship with God. Don’t force open the Bible. Take care of your physical and emotional health first and spiritual growth will come.

Work through depression by going through your three tanks. And remember, spiritual questions can drain you before you’re ready. So, begin today by focusing on your physical health and watch what God will do.

Proverbs 3:7-8
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

The movie Groundhog’s Day is about a weatherman who gets caught in a perpetual time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. It’s a comedy for sure, but it can be a reality for some people who experience daily depression or anxiety. They wake up every day struggling to find the energy to get started, struggling to find the motivation to go to work, school, or church.

Have you been there?

Have you ever made it through a day only to wake up and feel like the universe is playing some cruel joke on you? If so, you’re not alone.

I understand because I’ve been there before.

Most importantly, God understands because He is right next to you as you go through it all.

Psalm 23 says, “though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us; His rod and staff comfort us.”
The Bible tells us that in those moments when we ask, “Is it always going to be like this?” God emphatically tells us, “No!”

Does it mean that we will never go through a valley? No. Does it mean that God will keep us from facing challenges? No. It does mean, regardless of how we feel, God is walking next to us, always, through the middle of the darkest times.

So, if you feel like you’re not making any progress, remember that 3 steps forward and 2 steps back is still 1 step forward. It will take time to get through the valley and to feel the comfort of God’s rod and staff. But, trust in the words of Psalm 23 that God is with you and won’t let you down.

Matthew 28:20
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

Like millions of you, I deal with depression and anxiety. It’s a constant battle that I face every day.

On one of those days, as I was driving in my car during a season of depression, I had an “aha moment.” It was one of the first times I had ever felt God stop me in my tracks and say, “Look. I have something you need to hear.”

So, as any normal person would do, I ignored the voice the first time and kept driving. But again, I felt God yelling at me, “Stop what you’re doing. I have something to tell you!”

At that point, I figured I should probably stop and pay attention. I pulled over to the side of the road and heard God tell me, clear as day, “One person filled with hope can minister to millions.”

It was my aha moment.

God had given me a clear direction for my life.

As someone who had gone through serious bouts of depression and anxiety, God told me that my job isn’t to run out of the burning building and never look back. Instead, my job is to turn around and try to help as many people as humanly possible. I’ve found that you don’t know how many people are suffering from depression until you’re struggling with it yourself.

Since we’re just beginning this 40-day journey together, I want you to know that I understand what you’re going through. I have walked in those shoes, I’ve walked through the darkness, and I’ve come out on the other side. Over these 40 days, I want to help you, and other people like you who are struggling, catch a glimpse of the peace that surpasses all understanding that only God can give.

I am grateful you’ve decided to walk with me. I am praying for you as you take steps toward God because I know how difficult each step can be.

Let’s pray these words from Psalm 16 today:

Psalm 16:1-2
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.