Walk in the Light of Him

"So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed"

John 8:36

John chapter eight is saturated with His words. He shares so much in this chapter that even while sharing it leads to His death. And in leading to His death. It leads to His rising from the dead. Again He shares about the light that He is and the reminder that those who follow Him will never live a day in darkness. The light of life is Him. And He is available to all.

Depression and anxiety are glimpses of darkness. The symptoms and side effects. The challenges that may arise from the experiences of depression and anxiety. This is darkness. And while there are people who follow Him, believe in Him, and walk with Him, that still experience the darkness that depression and anxiety are--the hope is not in the now, it is in the eternal life that comes from His light. This is not to say that the darkness is necessary. This is not to say that the darkness is okay. It is simply to remind you that the light that He is, is present and future. It is both available now, and the way to eternal life. The glimpses of darkness that depression and anxiety are, is weakened by the light that He is. Even if darkness is present, the hope remains for you. This hope is that: the darkness does not last forever. This hope is that: the darkness will fade. This hope is that: the light will find its way breaking the darkness.

One coping skill suggestion is: hyper focus on a rock (or something tangible near you). What if instead you hyper focused on the word. The word that is Him. Throughout John chapter eight, you read about the many people who believed in Him but still questioned Him. You read about the many people who saw Him but still questioned Him. You read about the many people who wanted to know Him but still questioned Him. And throughout this chapter He continues to say over and over again that He is who He says He is. He continues to say that He is here because of the Father. He is not here because of Himself. Not many people would continue to be consistent in these affirmations. Not many people would continue to walk this path, when given opportunities to back out, like Pilot was offering Him. Instead He continues to redirect each claim against Him, back to the Father. Over and over again, He redirects the focus to the One who sent Him. So what if instead of hyper focusing on a rock, you hyper focused on the One who sent the light to save you? What if instead of hyper focusing on a rock, you hyper focused on the light that saves you from darkness?

Depression and anxiety are of this world. They exist because darkness does exist. However, they do not consume because light has come to take the darkness away. When Jesus says "though you do not know him I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word" (John 8:55). This reminder that knowing Him is part of the acceptance of the light. Knowing Him may not eliminate the darkness in all cases, in all situations, in all experiences. But knowing Him, and obeying Him allows the light to come through. It is the availability of hope in a moment of darkness. It is knowing that there is a light switch just on the other side of the experience. It is knowing that through Him, with Him, and in Him, the darkness does not last forever. And you come to know the Father, through knowing the Son. John 8:36 states: "So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed" Free from the damages of the darkness. Because of the light.

Scripture:

Read John 8 the words of Jesus are plenty and powerful

John 8: 55

John 8:36

Reflection:

John 8:26 reads: I have much to say in judgement of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.

What sin is keeping you in the darkness?

How does it feel knowing that the one who sent Him, was sending Him to save you?

How does this change your experience of darkness?

What tools help you to cope and overcome the experiences of depression and anxiety?

How can you hyper focus on the word to cope and manage depression and anxiety?

Prayer:

Heavenly father, this chapter has reminded me again of your plan to save the world through your Son. I am in awe of your son's commitment to you and pray that this commitment could be one that becomes more and more natural for myself and for those around me. Lord, your Son held true to your word and you plan. Help me to hold true to the plans you have for me. And please guide those who seek your way. Be present with those who are in the darkness seeking the light. I pray that those struggling will find the light through your son. I pray that they may find healing in a way that brings them out of darkness. I pray that more and more people are set free through the purpose you have. The will you have. The plan you have. And I pray that all the glory be yours. Amen.