Messages

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy.

Yes, your joy will overflow!”

John 15:11

Messages are the statements that you have heard from your family, society, and even yourself. These statements have influence in your choices and behaviors. They even have influence on your feelings. From a cognitive behavioral therapy approach thoughts lead to feelings, which lead to behaviors. Imagine if these messages, from family, society, and your own thoughts, were negative thoughts or dismissive thoughts or event doubtful thoughts. Now imagine, that those messages from family, society, and your own thoughts, were positive, encouraging, and hopeful. It would make a big difference, would it not? Messages have a powerful way of influencing your ideas about yourself.

Depression and anxiety might be influenced by these messages. Depression and anxiety might allow these messages to become louder. It is important to know that while the experiences of depression and anxiety may be reflections of negative messages, there is hope in Him. He has a message about you that is more powerful than any family, social, or self message you could come across.

Depression and anxiety messages say that you are not enough. They say that you are sinful. They say that you are flawed. They say that you are alone. They say that you are hopeless. They say that you are lost. They say that you are troubled. They say that you are distressed. They say that you are weak. The messages of depression and anxiety may say any version of these. And He says something different.

When depression and anxiety say that you are not enough. He says that you are enough. Found in John, Esther, and Colossians: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).“Perhaps this is the moment for which you’ve been created” (Esther 4:14).“So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority” (Colossians 2:10).

When depression says that you are sinful. He says that you have been made new, forgiven, and healed. Found in 2 Corinthians, 1 John, and Isaiah. "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:16-17). "I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus” (1 John 2:12).“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

When depression and anxiety say that you flawed. He says that you are made perfect in Him. Found in Psalm.“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14).

When depression and anxiety say that you are alone. He says that you are His. Found in Ephesians and Isaiah. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (Ephesians 1:5). “Do not fear. I have redeemed you. I have summoned you. You are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

When depression and anxiety say that you are hopeless. He reminds you of hope. Found in Jeremiah. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

When depression and anxiety say that you are lost. He says that He gives you direction. Found in Isaiah. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).

When depression and anxiety say that you are troubled. He says that you have peace. Found in John. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

When depression and anxiety say that you are distressed. He says that you will be filled with joy. Found in John. “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11)

When depression and anxiety say that you are weak. He has clothed you with strength. Found in Psalm. "God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect” (Psalm 18:32).

Depression and anxiety may bring up messages that influence your opinions and thoughts about yourself. But your true worth, value, and authenticity is found in the Word. This Word is His. This Word is Him.

Scripture:

John 3:16

Esther 4:14

Colossians 2:10

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

1 John 2:12

Isaiah 53:5

Psalm 139:14

Ephesians 1:5

Isaiah 43:1

Jeremiah 29:11

Isaiah 30:21

John 14:27

John 15:11

Psalm 18:32

Questions:

What messages are loudest right now? What would your experience today be like if you did not believe these messages?

What message do you need to hear from Him?

When faced with negative messages, what is one thing you can do to redirect your focus to the true message that He is for you?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me that your message is the true message. My worth and value is found in you because you created me. It is not found in the world, in others, or even in myself when I am being negative. Father God, I ask that you breathe the truth into each and every person today. I pray that they hear the messages from you that reflect truth rather than fear or depression or anxiety. Father God, you sent your Son to earth to take the place of each of us and your message is truth: who ever believes in Him will have eternal life. Heavenly Father, when depression and anxiety send a different message, I pray that people will be reminded time and time again of the true message. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.