Freedom in Christ!

By Peggy Rice

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

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’t 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’t want anyone to know (that’s the shame talking).

But God knows. And His Word promises that He doesn’t condemn those who belong to Jesus.

 Ah, but the guilt, the shame, the embarrassment! The lies of the enemy were loud in my ear. “You’re such a failure.” “What kind of Christian example are you setting?” “How can you call yourself a leader?” “You can’t do it.” “You’re weak.” “You have no discipline.” “You’ll never get any better.” “This is as good as it gets.” The whispers went on and on.

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 – we are all alone. That life is dark, and we are lost in the gray fog, never to emerge.

When I went through ten years of depression – on and off episodes for all that time – 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 – 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.

I think this was a key to taking “every thought captive to obey Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5b

I began to replace these thoughts, as soon as I realized I was thinking them, with the truth of God’s Word.

“You are a new creation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 20b

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

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 God so we can confess to Him. The condemnation that comes from the enemy causes us to run from God. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 and “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Galatians 5:1a

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 – or the mental health challenge – wants us to believe.

We are being shaped into the image of Jesus. And this process is not easy. But we have a Hope – a certain Hope – 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. “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3b Maybe you’re going through a time of listening to the lies of the enemy or those of your mental health challenge. Maybe you’re feeling stuck, like you can’t move forward because you’re starting to believe these lies. There is help! Fresh Hope offers Hope Coaching, an opportunity for you to speak to a Hope Coach – a peer – 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

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 peggy@freshhope.us