His Grace Leads

"For sin shall no longer be your master,

because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Romans 6:14

Depression and anxiety often times leave one feeling as if grace is not theirs. There are many reasons that one may feel that God's grace is undeserving. And while that may be the case for anyone. Those who experience depression and anxiety, may feel that they are even less deserving because of their symptoms. Depression and anxiety is not something that one controls, rather it is something that one manages. The difference being that depression and anxiety is out of one's control, but how one handles the experiences of depression and anxiety is within their control (or how they manage these experiences). Romans chapter 6 discusses God's grace. It shares about the dying and living experiences that one has when accepting Christ, His son.

A common phrase in this chapter is: Set Free. And this is a truly amazing example of grace. Especially God's grace. Grace is the freely given favor that God has for those He loves and who love Him. It is free. Not in the sense that it was not paid for. Rather, Christ paid for this on the cross. Yet, God continues to give us grace not because of what we do. God has set free one's life from where it was before Christ and has welcomed them into a new life since accepting Christ. He is what sets you free from the experiences of depression and anxiety.

Grace.

Throughout Romans we have learned that God calls upon us not because of what or how we do the works of the law. Rather He calls upon us because of who we are, and who we seek--Him.

Romans 6:14 "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." If one were to substitute the word depression or anxiety for the word sin in this verse. One would find that His plan for you is not to allow the experiences of the world to become your master; but instead He wants to be loving, free giving, and present in your life. In previous posts there has been discussion about remembering that having depression or anxiety is not a sin. Rather, how one may respond or react on their depression or anxiety could fall under the umbrella of sin. Yet, He does not question one's depression or anxiety. He questions one's heart. If He was questioning one's depression or anxiety He would be looking at the law, and not extending grace.

Scripture:

Romans 6

Romans 6:14

Questions:

How do you experience His grace?

What is it like to die to the sin, and be born in Him?

Read Romans 6:8-9 "Now if we die with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him."

What would it be like to substitute depression or anxiety or both, for the word dead and death in this verse?

[Now if we die with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the depression/anxiety, He cannot die again; depression/anxiety no longer has mastery over Him].

Prayer:

Lord, I come to you. I seek you. I give depression and anxiety to you. As I am reminded that Christ died to erase the sins of the world, to offer grace and forgiveness. Lord I pray that others may be able to find and experience the grace that is extended and offered through you. I pray that depression and anxiety no longer are the veils that cover their eyes to your open arms. I pray that depression and anxiety no longer are the curtains that separate them from you. Lord I pray that they find the strength to move the veils, the curtains, aside to see you, experience you, and live in you. I pray this in your sons name. Amen.