{"id":8802,"date":"2024-05-16T11:06:15","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T17:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freshhope.us\/freedom-in-christ\/"},"modified":"2024-05-16T11:06:15","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T17:06:15","slug":"freedom-in-christ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freshhope.us\/es\/freedom-in-christ\/","title":{"rendered":"Freedom in Christ!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Peggy Rice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.\u201d Romans 8:1<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I really needed this verse recently! I had finally confronted an area of sin in my life, a stronghold, of which I felt incredible shame and guilt. I wanted to repent, to turn away, from this behavior, but didn\u2019t think I had the strength. I felt like such a failure. Such a hypocrite! How could a woman who professed Christ as Lord and Savior behave this way? I was embarrassed, and didn\u2019t want anyone to know (that\u2019s the shame talking).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But God knows. And His Word promises that He doesn\u2019t condemn those who belong to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Ah, but the guilt, the shame, the embarrassment! The lies of the enemy were loud in my ear. \u201cYou\u2019re such a failure.\u201d \u201cWhat kind of Christian example are you setting?\u201d \u201cHow can you call yourself a leader?\u201d \u201cYou can\u2019t do it.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re weak.\u201d \u201cYou have no discipline.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll never get any better.\u201d \u201cThis is as good as it gets.\u201d The whispers went on and on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mental health challenges are often this way. The enemy lies to us, and tells us that we are unworthy, helpless, useless, of no value to the Kingdom. That things will never get any better. That we are the only one going through this challenge \u2013 we are all alone. That life is dark, and we are lost in the gray fog, never to emerge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I went through ten years of depression \u2013 on and off episodes for all that time \u2013 these lies were always with me. They sounded like they were in my head. But my Christian therapist taught me to look at the depression as a separate entity \u2013 outside of myself. Like it was a blob sitting on my shoulder, whispering into my ear. So even though those thoughts seemed like they were coming from me, he taught me that those were lies that depression was telling me. I began to separate myself from my depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think this was a key to taking \u201cevery thought captive to obey Christ\u201d 2 Corinthians 10:5b<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I began to replace these thoughts, as soon as I realized I was thinking them, with the truth of God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are a new creation.\u201d 2 Corinthians 5:17<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.\u201d Philippians 4:13<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.\u201d Matthew 28: 20b<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will never leave you nor forsake you.\u201d Hebrews 13:5b<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.\u201d Romans 8:1<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Condemnation comes from the enemy. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. And the difference between these two is huge! One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to convict us, to draw us closer to<\/strong> God so we can confess to Him. The condemnation that comes from the enemy causes us to run from<\/strong> God. \u201cGodly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.\u201d 2 Corinthians 7:10 <\/em>and \u201cIt is for freedom that Christ has set us free.\u201d Galatians 5:1a<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have freedom in Christ. Freedom from the condemnation of the enemy. Freedom from sin, as we walk by the power of the Holy Spirit. Freedom as we repent and confess and turn away from the lies that the enemy \u2013 or the mental health challenge \u2013 wants us to believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are being shaped into the image of Jesus. And this process is not easy. But we have a Hope \u2013 a certain Hope \u2013 that Christ died for our sins and for our mental health challenges, and we are promised new life in Christ. He walks with us, even as He shapes us, forms us, convicts us, draws us. And He loves us. \u201cI have loved you with an everlasting love.\u201d Jeremiah 31:3b<\/em> Maybe you\u2019re going through a time of listening to the lies of the enemy or those of your mental health challenge. Maybe you\u2019re feeling stuck, like you can\u2019t move forward because you\u2019re starting to believe these lies. There is help! Fresh Hope offers Hope Coaching, an opportunity for you to speak to a Hope Coach \u2013 a peer \u2013 who has been where you are. This Hope Coach wants to listen to your story, to hear where you are stuck, and speak hope into your situation. To get connected to a Hope Coach, follow this link: www.freshhope.us\/hope-coach-connector<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peggy has been involved with Fresh Hope as a Group Facilitator for 5 years and as the Hope Coach trainer for 3. You can reach her at<\/em> peggy@freshhope.us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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