Tag: slave to sin

By Pastor Andrew Farland

One of the hardest things about living with constant technological developments is that we are hyperconnected to everyone.

We see every picture our friends post online, we see how much fun they’re having, and then we start comparing.

Think about it. When you see someone’s family photo or selfie, do you quickly compare your level of happiness with theirs? If so, you’re just like me. It’s really hard not to compare yourself with others, especially when you’re in a state of depression.

When I was struggling with depression and anxiety, I would compare my pain with the success or joy of others. For some reason, the comparison game is heightened during the darkest times.

As someone who has gone through it and still fights daily to not go back into the valley, I want to share a simple yet profound piece of advice.

Catch your own wave.

Imagine that you’re walking early one morning by Huntington Beach in California and you see a group of surfers on the water. There are about 15 of them spread along the horizon, waiting to catch a wave, so you stop to watch for a few minutes. Finally, one of the paddles hops up onto his board and surfs a beautiful California wave. The others then follow.

What do you think would have happened if that first surfer had been looking at everyone else waiting for their waves to come? What would have happened if he was watching the other surfers? He would never have gotten up on his board!

The same thing applies to your life. When you’re tempted to compare yourself to other people and their photographs, you need to remember to catch your own wave. If you look around too much, you might miss the miracle that God wants to do in you.

Galatians 1:10
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

By Pastor Andrew Farland

When I was stuck in the middle of a season of anxiety and depression, I daily asked myself, “Why is this happening to me? When is this going to end?”

On one of those days, God spoke to me in a still, soft whisper and gave me a Truth that I will never forget.

I was on an airplane getting situated in my window seat while the flight attendants gave a lesson on using oxygen masks. As I was settling in for a long flight, God’s voice hit me square in the heart and said,

“I didn’t just give you grace, I gave you myself.”

In those simple words, God showed me His master plan for why He was allowing me to go through such a difficult time and gave me a small glimpse of His purpose.

His words taught me that God is more than just a magic genie that doles out grace. More than that, He gives all of Himself and is intricately involved in our lives.

It means that if He allows you to go through something, He promises to get you through it!

In the Bible, there is a perfect example of God giving all of Himself to suffering people. The Israelites had been rescued from slavery in Egypt. After leaving captivity, they traveled for 40 years, through the desert, to get to the Promised Land, a beautiful place that God had prepared. When you read the story, you’ll see that God’s people grumbled, complained, doubted, and cried for a large portion of their time in the desert. What did God do through it all? He led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

The mind-blowing thing is that God led His people through the desert. He allowed them to go through something extremely difficult and promised to get them through it.

You may not be ready to receive this Truth today, but I can assure you that God is leading you somewhere. He uses everything for the good of those who love Him. For me, He led me through the fire so that I could go back in and rescue other people. Stay strong and remember that God is giving you all of Himself to see you through to the other side.

Galatians 1:3-4
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”

Be encouraged today because God is with you.

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.