For Him. For each other.

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Hebrews 13:16

Imagine. The first person you think of when times get tough. The first place you go when your mind starts to wander. For some He is the first place they go. For some they go to their friend, their parent, their mentor, their spouse, their pastor, or their loved one. While He is the place to go, He does not fault you for going to each other. He created you as a relational beings, to find comfort and connections with others. He uses relationships as a modeling of His own desired relationship with you. Relationships are a cornerstone of existence. Throughout the Bible you read about the relationships between God and His people. There is a phenomenon from relating to others. You grow closer to Him, you gain understanding of others, and you learn so much more about yourself.

God is lending you to others to share what you have. Hebrews 13:16 "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Experiences of depression and anxiety are meant to be shared as support and to help others who are going through these experiences. He also wants you to share about your triumphs through praise to Him. Overcoming depression and anxiety, no matter how small, is worthy of praise and thanks giving. As you go through depression and anxiety, finding rest in the little successes and allowing others to take notice of progress. As an observer of someone battling depression and anxiety, being able to recognize these little triumphs with compassion and acknowledgement.

For some sharing these experiences will not be without challenge. Know that in this challenge, He walks along side you. Know that in this challenge, you are a gift from Him. Know that in this challenge, you have purpose. It is written here: "Great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds..." Jeremiah 32:19.

The world is borrowing you. Because truly, you are His. He has decided to lend you to one another so that you, and others, may be able to grow and learn and understand Him more. James 1:17 "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Each and every person is a gift from above to have purpose here on Earth. God is letting the world borrow you, until He calls you home. And when you borrow something you want to return it, if not in the same condition, in a better one. When you return to Him, He wants to see that you were used in the best of ways, that you returned better than when you first started. He wants to see that your love for others praised and glorified Him. As it is written in John 13:35 "all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Being faithful to Him is turning towards others, not turning away. As it says in 1 Timothy 5:8 "Anyone who does not take care of his family and those in his house has turned away from the faith. He is worse than a person who has never put his trust in Christ." As the world goes about borrowing you, you are reminded that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

Now. Imagine. Being able to turn to someone and experience God through their relationship with you. And your relationship with them. Knowing that through their time with you, you become closer and more aware of His love and desire for you. These people are not in your life by mistake, God has them there for a reason, and has you were you are for a reason. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says it well: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." In times of depression and anxiety, does this person say what you need to hear? In times of depression and anxiety, does your support system gather around you and bring comfort? God is using these people in your life, as much as He is using you in theirs. In the midst of the darkness that depression and anxiety may create, it can be challenging to recognize how He can use you for others, but know this-He does. Matthew 5:14 confirms further that in the darkness you are the light, "you are the light of the world." And Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before others." Through your experiences, your trials, and your triumphs, God has prepared you for something and maybe someone. You are His to be shared with others, so that they may know Him. But also, so that you may come to know Him better.

Scripture:

Hebrews 13:16

Jeremiah 32:19

James 1:17

John 13:35

1 Timothy 5:8

Acts 20:35

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Matthew 5:14, 16

Reflection:

What does it mean to you, to be on loan from God?

What are the challenges with sharing about depression and anxiety?

How do these challenges change, when you think about God lending you to the world?

Where might you be headed in your purpose?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Lord, I come to You now in prayer. I recognize that I am Yours. I recognize that I am here for Your purpose. That I am being used in the greatest of ways to share about You, and Your love. Lord, as I reflect on being on loan to the world, I find myself at peace. I find peace in knowing that I belong to You and Your purpose. Lord, thank you for using me. Thank you for allowing my experiences to help, serve, and support others. And when I am faced with challenges of sharing my experiences Lord, help me to remember that others may need to hear what You have to say through me. Father, I pray for those experiencing depression and anxiety today. I pray that their experiences may one day become testimony of Your love and Your triumphs. I pray that their experiences may one day be the source of hope for others. Lord, as You have used my experiences, give me hope to continue to share. I pray this all in His name. Amen.