“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.”
There are going to be times when things become exceptionally clear to you.
Those moments burst into our muddled thinking and bring crystal clarity to us. It doesn’t happen very often, but through it, we start to see something in our present situation. Its icy water splashed into our sleepy faces. It completely adjusts us and we are launched into a startling awareness of our hearts, minds, and relationships.
To the mentally ill, it verges on not quite enough (but sometimes it is) when we are brought into this place. Alert and awake, we are ushered into a certain sense of what is real, and what isn’t. Change often hinges on this special discernment; it truly is an amazing work of the Holy Spirit. We discover we can’t change ourselves, but the Spirit is the only one who can.
The Bible and its promises are soaked with His power.
There is a certain hope and security that comes from His restoration of our mixed-up lives. His work is quite exceptional, for He is an Artisan. However, we will never be happy or at peace if we refuse. And if we decide poorly we will get stuck inside a deep loneliness, and failure– the realization of being cast aside.
It’s scary, but so much is based on what we decide in these chosen times.
Depression and darkness will continue to pelt us. But there is no other authentic shelter to be found! Through our stubbornness and pride, we will be soaked through and through. But even in this dejected state, we can still decide to harden our hearts. If we do not choose Him, we will stumble in our own darkness and sin. This is a miserable place, I have been there. Trust me, I understand completely.
We dare not let the darkness we face confuse us.
We most certainly should not let this happen. On just a volitional basis (thinking) we must not let the darkness reassert itself into our lives. We are delivered by what the Lord Jesus has done for us. He shepherds us through a darkness that is quite convoluted and complex. (Think— being lost in a minefield at night.)
It advances on us and so many can’t resist its strength. But being mentally ill is not something that someone can just decide on, it is real and carries a poison that few can resist. Any odd romanticism of “being a tragically wounded poet” is so foolish, and dangerous.
But the truth is, we have Someone who has volunteered to be our Savior and advocate.
He will speak on our behalf. He alone can escort us through this terrible darkness. Without His voice, we can’t defend ourselves, and we will just deceive ourselves. We are desperately sick, and He is the only cure.
If you are presently struggling, I would tell you that you have a home. It is a place of acceptance and assurance. The cost of depression and delusion can’t even come close to matching even the simplicity and basic place of just being a “minor” disciple of Jesus Christ.
But no matter what has happened, He has been pursuing you, in a deep hope you will respond to Him.
I exhort you to embrace this love and trust Him, even when it gets very hard. But no matter what happens, don’t ever give up.
Broken Believers 