The Big "D"

This world of ours seems to be spinning at a faster pace than ever and, as it does, the difficulties of life seem to come quicker and quicker for some. In a conversation with a friend, she mentioned how her phone kept going off with one situation after another involving friends and family dealing with the big "d." Depression. Ya'll life is real. And it can get real tough. Today, though, as I read through Acts 13, I found hope. Here, Barnabas and Saul are sent out by the Holy Spirit for the work of the Lord and on the island of Paphos, they came across a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the very intelligent proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul sought out Barnabas and Saul to hear the word of God, but the sorcerer made it his business to attempt to turn the proconsul away from the faith. As I read this, I think... now isn't that the way with depression? Isn't that the way with difficulty? Isn't that the way of the enemy to attempt to turn us away in hopelessness from our faith...to set our minds so steadfastly on the difficulty of the situation that we lose sight of the hope and power we have in Christ? There's something to learn from Saul(Paul) here. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he looked at him and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time..."(Acts 13:10-11.) And it was so!

In the power of the Holy Spirit, he called out his enemy for who he was, and God dealt with him. The one through which the enemy was trying to bring about distraction, deceit, and defeat, God used to bring the proconsul to faith! We read in verse 11-12, "And immediately a dark mist fell on him and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord."(emphasis mine.)

It's somewhat of a New Testament picture of Joseph's proclamation to his brothers when they reached out in fear that he might retaliate for the wicked things they had perpetrated on him. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph tells them," “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."(ESV.)

He endured hardship and rejection at the hands of many. Trials had most definitely come his way. Heavy burdens battled for his strength and attention. But, God. God's sovereignty never waned with the shifting circumstances and Joseph recognized that He had used it all for his good and God's glory. Nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God.

What is it or who is it that dares rear it's head between you and the Truth? What is it that challenges who you are and the ground you stand upon? Recognize it. Call it out. And stand. In Christ, you are a force to be reckoned with. If you are His, then every bit of you is His. He is intimately concerned about the details of your life. Cast your burdens upon Him and take up His yoke that is light and easy! He goes before you in all things. Oh, how I pray that as you rise up, that you would see and be astonished by the working of the Lord and His teaching by that your faith would be strengthened. May you see His divine positioning of you for greater things and may His perfect love cast out all fear! There's always hope in Christ! Hope in the Lord and He will renew your strength! He is faithful to renew, restore, and redeem. Don't give up, but press on running your race with your eyes set on the prize, Jesus Christ himself. Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on the things above, not the things on the earth. ... In the midst of it all, you are held! He is with you. Be still and know He is God! He is alive and active and moving on your behalf. He has not left His throne. See his intent for you in the verses below: Freedom, Good news, Healing, Release,Favor, Comfort, A Crown of Beauty, Joy, Garment of Praise, Joy!!!! He is good!

Romans 5:5

5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance; 4 and perseverance, [c]character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Isaiah 40:31

31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a] 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3  and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjF9IqvXDjY&list=RDNBaat-akqnw&index=2, You're Gonna Be Ok (Lyric Video) - Brian & Jenn Johnson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBaat-akqnw, "Hold on to Me", Lauren Daigle