Tag: sacrifice

By Pastor Andrew Farland

One of the most difficult parts of journeying through depression was feeling like I was out of control, that my experiences were unavoidable. All of my emotions were heightened, insecurities were exacerbated, and unhealthy patterns became embarrassingly obvious.

The truth is that, in depression, there are things that get magnified more than others.

Imagine that you have a large flashlight, with an outline of a spider on the lens. When the light is pointed at the wall, a silhouette of a spider appears when it’s on and then disappears when the light is off. As you move the flashlight close to the wall, the spider looks small and almost unrecognizable. But, as you step back, the arachnid grows enormous and your room is blanketed by the shadow of the spider’s legs.

I don’t know what your experience is like, but when I was in depression, I constantly felt threatened and surrounded by danger. I felt like there was a shadow of something like a spider covering the walls around me and I was very afraid.

Looking back, I see the reality that fear is heightened in depression.

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. We are holistic people with physical, emotional, and spiritual components. That means that depression and anxiety are not purely mental or emotional issues. They are also spiritual. You and I are in the middle of a spiritual battle between our new lives in Jesus and our old lives that lead to destruction. We are facing the devil, who is like a crouching lion waiting to devour his prey, waiting to intimidate the most vulnerable men and women he can find.

Today, focus on the spiritual aspect of your journey. If you feel afraid, remember that God has already defeated the evil one which means his days are numbered. Give your fears over to your fearless heavenly father who will bring you peace.

Isaiah 43:1
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

We live in what I call a silver bullet culture.

In our world, people want immediate gratification. They aren’t typically willing to wait for a response when they ask a question and they don’t want to wait for feedback on their work. Think about the last time you posted a photo on social media and watched for “likes” to come in. Were you disappointed by the speed at which people responded? Did you begin to question the quality of your post … and ultimately your life… based on the minimal number of “likes?”

If so, you’re just like everyone else. A member of the silver bullet culture.

Think even further about problems or crises that people go through. In their darkest hour, men and women search for the fastest possible way to fix their lives. One quick search on Amazon reveals hundreds of books written about the secret to winning, the three easy steps to beat addiction, or the easiest way to find peace.

It’s the world in which we live: the silver bullet culture.

The unfortunate thing about going through depression in a silver bullet world is we believe the lie that there might be an easy fix. Christians can get the impression that the right prayer or the right amount of quiet time with God could be the ticket out. That’s not how depression and anxiety work.

Healing takes a lifetime and that’s okay. Today, be content taking three steps forward and two steps back. God is with you and will see you through to the other side.

Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

I’m not somebody who believes that God makes bad things happen on purpose. I am, however, someone who believes that He uses everything that happens, good and bad, to teach people what they need to learn. I also believe that He will keep finding opportunities to teach us the same lesson until we hear it.

During the time in which my depression was the strongest, I asked a lot of questions of God. And when I ran out of questions for God, I asked the universe because I thought it might be able to help. It didn’t help, in case you were wondering. The reality was that God would use my struggle to mold, shape, and direct me. But, I wouldn’t understand until I found myself with a clearer state of mind.

Think about how a moth forms in its cocoon. The longer the larvae wait to escape, the more it feels pressure building up around it. And the more pressure the larvae feel, the stronger its wings will be when it breaks free of the cocoon. The pressure makes the moth strong. If it breaks free too soon, it falls to the ground because it doesn’t have the resilience it needs to survive.

You are just like a moth in a cocoon. Over the coming days, weeks, and maybe months, you are going to feel the weight of life grow heavier and heavier until you can’t quite take anymore. When that happens, if it hasn’t already, don’t worry about finding answers or breaking out too soon. Why? Because God might be using your circumstance to teach you something you need to hear. And He might use your story to help others as He did with mine.

I know this isn’t easy to understand right now. But, trust me as someone who has been exactly where you are. God is with you and is going to use this circumstance for something beautiful.

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

One of the most effective ways that God heals and saves us when we’re troubled and near the gates of death is by sending people into our lives at just the right time. How do I know this? Because it’s exactly what He did for me.

When I was at my lowest, a friend decided to fly hundreds of miles to and from my home, on a monthly basis, to walk alongside me through my depression. At first, I didn’t want her help. But, over time, the visits became a sort of candle in the darkness.

On one of my friend’s visits, she spoke words of truth that I need to share with you today. She taught me that God doesn’t always show up in big ways as He did with Moses in the burning bush or in a rainbow-like He did with Noah. Instead, you have to search for glimpses of Him; you have to find Him in the whispers.

She told me to think about how the sun and the moon function. When the sun goes down, the moon comes up and reflects 15 % of the sun’s light. God has literally built the world so that His creation is never without light. Imagine that! The light of the world created a place that can’t exist without Him!

In our lives, especially when our depression weighs heavy, God ensures that we are never completely without light. And He does this through the people that He puts in our path. Just like the moon reflects the sun’s light, our friends reflect God’s light into our lives.

Today, and in the days to come, be cognizant of the men and women He might be putting in your way to disrupt your routine and bring you closer to Him. Spend time asking God for wisdom to recognize His hand in your life. And remember, God knew the struggles you would face and He is sending the right people at the right times.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Be encouraged today because God is with you.