Remain
Remain FAITHFUL; Remain ALIVE.
I understand your struggle. The constant internal turmoil, it can all be so exhausting. Wanting to do what’s right, yet daily you’re being faced with intense spiritual opposition. You’re tired. Maybe not so much physically, but mentally you’ve begun to feel the effects of spiritual warfare. I’ve been there, and I’d be lying if I said sometimes I don’t feel myself beginning to go back there.
We all have our things, and to be transparent this would be one of mine. When the going gets rough I have to constantly talk myself out of mentally retreating back to my old depressive ways. I have to remember not only who I’ve become, but Who I belong to. It’s not always easy, but I’m not battling alone, I’ve got all that God has been installing within me over the past few years opposing every negative thought that tries to take over my mind. In other words, I’ve got God as an ally in my times of desperate need.
When you’re dealing with mental health complications it can feel like a never ending battle within, a battle that no one else is aware of. It can quite literally feel like you’re enslaved to negative thought patterns and physical behaviors. You don’t want to feel depressed, you don’t want to feel anxious, but you just can’t help but slip into those ways.
Let me start by saying that there is true freedom in Christ Jesus. I know you may feel like this is just who you are, and who you will always be, I used to think the same way, but I now know that’s a lie from the pits of hell. There’s light, there’s true freedom that you can experience within, and it’s everlasting. It won’t happen overnight, it’s a process. I’m 3 years deep into my journey with Christ, yet I still have some moments where I have to come to my senses because life will most definitely challenge the work you’ve done within. I’ve made mistakes in the past by giving up on the possibility of being healed by God after finding myself once again deep in the dark pit He had rescued me from before. Don’t make the same mistake I did.
I need you to understand that healing is a journey, not a destination, so if you find yourself down again, fight to get back up, that’s not the end, that’s not your story, victory is your story. While on this journey it’s important that you learn your triggers, as well as build-up an awareness of your own behaviors, so that you may nip falling into certain mental states, or self sabotaging cycles, in the bud.
You have to PUSH THROUGH! You’re going to have to push through always. If there’s something God has called you to do, lean into that call when you feel yourself sinking. The call is a constant reminder of your significance on this earth. It’s a constant reminder that you are loved and recognized by the most high.
Side note:
Though my message is geared towards those battling mental health complications, as we all well know, we can quite literally find ourselves in bondage to almost anything.
“Remain faithful in chains”
The Holy Spirit placed this on my heart while I was reading the word tonight. Your ability to remain faithful in the midst of your own personal trials will free both you, and those God connects to you. Push through!
You’re not alone, God’s right by your side, cheering you on. And remember there are others out there, like myself, pushing through opposition every day as well for the sake of God’s ultimate will.
Everyday won’t be all rainbows and lollipops, all situations will not go as you expect them to. People will disappoint you. That's life. Nevertheless, with Christ, though at times you will find yourself disappointed and hurt within, you won’t find yourself destroyed within. This is a clear sign that God’s healing power has begun a good work on the inside of you.
I’m a living testimony, what could’ve broken me before, cannot and will not break me today. Amid my pain, I have this nagging hope in the Lord, and crazy belief that ALL things, good or bad, work together for my good!
Choose life, and life more abundantly through Christ Jesus ✞
I love you guys! And God loves you more!
Philippians 1:12-14
Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel
12) Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13)As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14) And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Philippians 1:18-21
18) But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19) for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20) I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:23-26
23) I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24) but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26) so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
