His Acceptance

"The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does"

Romans 14:3

Depression and anxiety can mimic the feelings of weakness. The experiences that depression and anxiety can have could lead you to believing that you are less than, unworthy, weak. This perspective of weakness is damaging because it is not only something that is often felt, and it is also observed. This experience is damaging to the healing process of overcoming depression and anxiety. It is damaging to the experiences of working through. It is damaging to the process of acceptance. Depression and anxiety are unfortunately part of life. Whether they are felt in big ways or in small ways, they are felt. These experiences though, do not need to be observed as weakness. Romans 14 shares this in response to your faith.

"Accept the one whose faith is weak... one person's faith allows them to eat anything but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables" Romans 14:1-3. This can be experienced in the form of depression and anxiety. This weakness. For some going through the daily life trials is easier, than for others. For some they can do whatever they want and not experience the effects of depression and anxiety. For some they can experience the ups and downs and anticipations, without the response of depression and anxiety. For others, this is not the case. For some depression and anxiety exist in response to many big things, and many small things. This response though, is a response. "The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does" Romans 14:3. Neither person is at liberty to judge the other. Those who experience depression and anxiety are not to judge those who do not. And those who do not experience depression and anxiety are not to judge those who do. This brings to point that there are times that people believe that people with mental illness are "bad" and those who do not have a mental illness are "good." Paul clearly and simply states why this is not the case: "for GOD has ACCEPTED them" Romans 14:3 (emphasis mine).

He searches your heart. Your intentions. It is your job to live with Him at the center and to give thanks to Him. "One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike" Romans 14:5. Whatever is done is for Him, and is regarded as such. Paul reminds you that you are to live and die for Him. "For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone" Romans 14:7. You belong to Him.

Paul continues in Romans 14 to share that your account is with Him, and not with others. This account may include experiences of depression and anxiety. This account may include your responses, your reactions. This account may include how you responded to your family and friends. This account is both the hurting and healed. This account is between you and Him. But it includes everyone, and how you respond or react to others and yourself.

"Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister" Romans 14:13. You actions are a reflection of your relationship with Him. And while your account is between you and Him, it does involve those around you. Your actions towards those who have experienced depression and anxiety. Your actions when experiencing depression and anxiety. There is no doubt that life is hard sometimes, there is no argument that depression and anxiety suck. The experiences of depression and anxiety are tough and the response to discomfort is sometimes in an attempt to make sense of anything, and to ease the discomfort. But the reminder that Paul has for you in this chapter is true. If what you do is distressing to others, the same people that you said you loved, then your actions are no longer in love. And the moment that your actions turn from love, you turn from Him. "Everything that does not come from faith is sin" Romans 14:23. Faith is Him.

[Highly recommend reading Romans 14 further. There is so much to take away from this chapter in Romans. It is a chapter on faith and the building relationship with God].

Scripture:

Romans 14

Romans 14:1-3

Romans 14:5

Romans 14:7

Romans 14:13

Romans 14:23

Questions:

If you were to give a brief account of your day; week; month; year how would it go?

What experiences do you have as you read that God has accepted you?

How does your healing change, when recognizing that others are part of this healing whether intentionally or not?

What steps do you need to take to change the perspective that those who experience depression and anxiety are "bad" and those who do not are "good"?

Prayer:

Lord Heavenly Father. I invite you into my life. I invite you into my struggle. I invite you into my story. Lord, I pray that as I continue to grow in you that I am able to serve you through the way that I serve others. Lord, I praise you as the one that has provided me with these opportunities. Lord, I ask that you continue to show yourself to others. I pray that their eyes will be opened. I pray that they will see the goodness that you are. I pray that they may see themselves the way that you see them. Lord I ask this, knowing that through you there is hope. I pray this knowing that your approval is the only approval necessary. I pray this knowing that you have accepted me, because of the love that you had in sending your only son to die for me. Lord, I pray this knowing that you will continue to guide because you love and have a desire to call us each yours. I pray this in your son's holy name. Amen.