And He Willingly Gave His life for us…more sweeter a picture I will never find. More joyful news than this Good News has never existed. A picture that cause sadness for many, but one that shines with a light…The Light. Especially for those suffering from mental health conditions.
Fill us with joy, it must. But for some of us, it is a mountain to climb. I’m writing this article specifically for those who know the darkness of mental health conditions. A greater suffering I have not yet experienced. It drains the life out of you. It leaves you without breath, without hope and without any willpower. It entangles you and pulls at your focus until you are like a puppet on a string. Those who have experienced this do not have many words to describe the torture of mental health conditions – diagnosed or not. And those standing on the sidelines, watch how this darkness starts covering their loved ones, strangling them until you can see the torture in their eyes.
But God. Yes, but God. This Easter reminds us of the most precious gift that Jesus could have ever given us – His life. The Bible says that He willingly gave His life and that it wasn’t taken from Him. He could’ve called on His angels to remove Him from the cross, but no, He had us in mind. He had the sin of the world in mind. Together with Him, we are victorious. He took the punishment that we deserved and God the Father’s wrath was satisfied. May we fix our eyes on this beautiful event.
But what does it mean to fix our eyes on Jesus, especially those who have tasted and are still tasting the darkness of mental health problems? I love to refer to the story of Peter who climbed out of the boat when Jesus was walking on the water. Once Peter’s eyes were not fixed on Jesus, he sank. But Jesus saved Him. The normal thing would be to focus on the consequence of Peter’s actions. But I want you to focus on the precious moment that Jesus saved him. Just like He saves us, because of the cross.
Focusing on Jesus, is focusing on His amazing grace. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found. Was blind, but now I see. Jesus saves us when we sink. His saving grace takes us by the hand and lifts us up when we are unable to help ourselves. How true this beautiful knowledge when applied to people who are suffering from mental health conditions.
The darkness that we are suffering, blinds our eyes. And once Jesus and His saving grace disappears from our sight, we lose all hope. Because, see, He is our Living Hope. Not a hope that dies, but a hope that keeps on Living. One that hung on the cross, but also overcame death. His hand is like a golden thread, even when we go through pain and suffering. The hand that saved Peter from drowning, is the same hand that lifts us up and out of the darkness. May I utter the golden words that Jesus can still heal. Oh, yes. And I’ll shout it from the rooftops. Sometimes, this is just not how our situation turns out.
In His eternal love, He sanctifies us. He uses the bad for our good. He prepares us. He teaches us. His power is displayed when people see us overcome even the deepest suffering. It glorifies His Name. He has always been the centerpiece. Even those who battle depression and anxiety, or those diagnosed with PTSD and Bipolar etc, this is the decision that will change the course of your life. Make Jesus the centerpiece of your life. Let Him pull you out of the water. Let His saving grace be the thing that you fix your eyes on.
Mental health conditions can also be described as a big tornado, taking you into its spinning cycle. Physically, this can be fatal. But you are still alive. You still have Jesus. It’s time we take our mental health conditions to the mirror. We utter the painful words: “I have depression and anxiety.” But then the light comes shining through: “But I still have God.”
Step boldly out onto the water, because Jesus is even God over that. Keep your eyes on Him. And if you sink, His saving grace will pull you out of the water. This is not a maybe, this is a fact. And which ever way He chooses to do so, He will never let go. Never. Is Jesus bigger than depression. Oh, yes, He is! Is He able to calm your anxiety. Oh, yes, He is! But is He able to keep you from drowning while you are still going through this suffering. A thousand times yes! He is not One to break promises. And He is not a man that He should lie.
Fix your eyes on Jesus. Stand against the blindness of your mental health condition. See His shining face that melts away the darkness. Don’t ever look back. And should you sink, His hands are more than able to keep you from drowning. This I can say with the most confidence I have ever had.
Blessings.
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