The shadows of yesterday can so easily become the dark clouds of today. In order to deal with depression and the darkness life can hold, we must deal with sin -- first, in a personal relationship with Christ and then on a daily basis as a believer.
Every believer has two problems when it comes to dealing with sin.
First, we must confess sin.
I know it sounds simple but so many of us have lost our sensitivity to sin because we are aligned with the world instead of with God. Becoming sensitive to sin, is the mark of growing as a christian, or so I have been told.
When I was a young girl, wearing shoes was something I was made to do. But when the first day of summer came along, I would kick off my shoes and store them in my closet -- wearing them only when absolutely necessary. I can remember the painful sensations of playing on the gravel road in front of Granny's house. The sharp rocks cut and bruised my tender feet -- at first - but as summer's went on, my feet were rough and calloused. I could run, jump and play for hours on the rocks that had once caused so much pain. Sin is much the same. The first time we commit a sin, it breaks our heart, but the next time we commit that same sin, it doesn't seem quite as bad. Our heart becomes calloused to that sin we repeatedly commit and a foothold is born, making a place for depression and darkness to reside.
Confessing sin completely, confidently and continually.
Jesus is faithful and will keep His promise to forgive and to cleanse us from all sin.
Psalm 103:12 (NIV) "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
The second problem we have with sin is forgetting forgiven sin.
Is it even possible to experience true forgiveness?
Every sin can not be totally blotted out, some memories will remain. We can make sure it's no longer a living issue in our lives.
God's way seems too easy -- to just ask and receive. We act as if the Holy Spirit needs our help or as if what Jesus did on the cross was not enough. We feel like we must make additional payments for our sin by doing something when Micah 7:19 is clear about God's attitude toward our sin, "Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean" (NLT). The problem comes when we revisit confessed sin, when we "go fishing" in the waters of our past. Sometimes, depression or any pit in life is consumed with sin we have never acknowledged or dealt with. Guilt and shame surround each transgression and since condemnation is second nature, we allow the darkness to become our norm. Our lack of joy is now payment for each sin.
A choice to deal with our sin, is the Devils undoing.
Let's Pray Father,
I am so tired of trying to live today while carrying the baggage of my past. Please give me the courage to face the sins I have tried so hard to bury.
Help me to turn away from each one, leaving it in Your hands.
Thank You, Lord, for Your grace, Your mercy and Your love.
Please fill my heart with the light of Your forgiveness.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
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