Just a few moments before prayer here. I have a little more than a week home between hunts in Alaska and I felt the need to address the last post Ross made since it does cause a number of thoughts to spring up within me.
I sometimes fear that I may come across as disagreeable, but I think we all need to be open to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and he teaches us in so many ways. I don't disagree with Ross on the last post just to be disagreeable but I hope that I can say a few words that may make our Walk in the Spirit easier in the long run.
We all must bear our cross in this life, but I would exhort all believers to look at what that cross truly is, and I think if we look at the scripture we will see that Christ is speaking of the necessity of our own self denial. Not sickness, not depression, not mental anguish, or any other earthly hardship. We must nail our desires that are not in line with the word onto the cross, and put ourselves last in line, not first. The cross of self denial is something we will deal with all of our lives, but I cannot accept that my Father who is in heaven is dealing out suffering in the form of illness and despair to teach me anything or for me to simply bear. It is, I am reminded "
the thief" that comes to kill, to steal, and to destroy. Sickness, depression, sorrow, all of these ills are the result of sin upon the earth, mind you not necessarily your personal sin, but the result of the sin of Adam, and these things do come our way, but it isn't Our loving Father who is sending them into our path like a sadistic monarch. You may learn a great deal while you struggle against such obstacles, but the Father of mercy is above teaching us lessons by bringing evil into our path. He expects us to listen to the Holy Spirit, and learn in every situation, so we may overcome such obstacles by His divine wisdom and revelation.
Romans 8:26-28
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. The grace of God is manifest to us in all situations, but this doesn't mean that He brings evil our way any more than a decent earthly father would afflict their own child with some dreadful disease so the child could learn to appreciate the gift of health. By allowing the Spirit to teach us, and He is the Teacher who alone is capable of leading us into all truth, we will find the grace and method to rise up above the evil that comes our way, and walk in the tremendous victory that we are all promised. We are more than conquerors in all things and indeed Paul declares that all of the promises of God are "
yes and amen!"
The Father only desires good for us, and we need to recognize that we have an enemy, and this enemy is not our God, but the god of this present age.
James 1:17
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Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
"
Perhaps depression and loneliness are part of the cross God has offered to me as a gift, that I might know a little of the struggle His Son knew on the cross and in the garden."
That may be a natural conclusion to make Ross, but I would declare that God doesn't have much of a right to urge you through Saint Paul to "rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." if He is going to give you such things as depression as a gift. The word has declared the "The joy of the lord is your strength," and I would encourage you to toss the idea of idea of depression and loneliness out the window as being simply what they are; emotional forces that the demons of darkness use to war against your very soul and the joy and peace that God has called you to. He hasn't called to anything less than the "
peace of God ruling in your heart."Brother you will know of the struggles of Christ if you set yourself to live the word, and carry out the directives of the Holy Spirit in your life. Opposition will come. You will continue to find the flesh warring against the spirit within you, and if you set yourself to walk in the truth you will find that:
Ephes. 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Don't allow the enemy or anyone else, regardless of well intentioned it may be or sound, to convince you that your lot in life is anything less than the joy of being in union with the Father.
Realize that you cannot give to others what you do not have, and how are you going to show to others the joy of your wondrous union with Christ if you are devoid of joy, and beat down by the cares of this life.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
