A Christ Follower: The Journey

Jesus Depressed?  Say What?      Thinking of the Son of God being depressed is for some almost impossible to believe. Many would think that this Son of Man was much stronger than this while he journeyed here on earth. If you struggle with this, please let me ask you some questions:  How could Jesus be "a man of sorrows acquainted with grief?" How could he be "tempted in every way like we are tempted " or be empathic regarding our feelings and infirmities, as mentioned in Hebrews 4:15ff, if he didn't process grief like you or me?       Now when I talk about this stage of grief, I am not talking about chronic depression. I am talking about the acute onset of depression that comes upon us when we experience a significant loss. I am talking about those dark overwhelming feelings  and grief triggers that cause us to feel low down and or loaded down.  This includes a semblance of sadness or sorrow, ...

The Forbidden Emotion: Anger?     Sometime ago, a person for whom I care deeply, and who shall remain nameless to protect the identity,  was struggling with enormous complicated grief. This one had experienced grief after grief, as this person's loved one almost died several times, and each time, because of some very good choices made by this individual, the love of their life came back and lived a while longer. This was quite an emotional roller coaster. When the beloved actually did die, the emotions were real and raw. This included stage two of the grief process, which involves ANGER. Giving Advice Especially Bad Advice? This wounded soul revealed their anger to a fellow Christian who knows far less than he/she thinks they know.  It  was made very  clear, by this bad advice giver, that the person who had experienced such a horrific loss would wind up in hell, and they would not see their loved one, i...

It May Surprise You There are some things about Jesus, grief and you that might take you by surprise; for example, when it comes to grief,  it may amaze you just how human the Son of God, Jesus, really was while on this earth; furthermore, it might just catch you a little off guard to understand how much like Jesus you are when you have experienced the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a job, or have been abandoned, or have gone through any kind of really life altering and painful loss. And it might just give you some comfort to know how this Good Shepherd of the sheep understands your pain and wants to shepherd you through "the valley of the shadow..."  The Man of Sorrows One bit of ancient wisdom that can help you and me see this comes from the Prophet Isaiah who tells us in the NLT (New Living Translation,)   "He was despised and rejected -- a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief."  ( See Isaiah 53:3 NLT) This pass...

Triggering Grief During The Thanksgiving Season To Be Jolly     Just a few hours ago, someone whom I intersected during past days of my journey, reminded facebook friends that depression is real during the holidays, and this true. Perhaps even more true is that grief really becomes a necessary, but not so welcome, companion during this "season to be jolly ." Something will happen, and it will be like a trigger.  You may observe a picture. Or you may smell a certain smell.  Or you will hear a familiar voice. BOOM! Something you thought had been "dealt" with will become fresh as if the loss causing the grief happened just a few moments ago. Trying to dam up the emotions will only push them down for a while and they will burst to the surface, if you don't let the emotions flow. WHY? Denial will return. God's shock absorber for the soul, will take place, and that "Why is this happening?" que...

Years ago, I was cutting grass. I noticed a rock close by the lawn mower, and it was almost as if I had heard a voice telling me, "Don't Touch That! " Well I did not listen, and I bent down to retrieve the rock, and apparently another one came flying out from under the lawn more. It hit me squarely on my left eye, and my eyesight faded immediately to white in that eye.  I couldn't see anything through that eye. My beloved drove me to the "Eye Foundation" hospital in Birmingham where all this story is a matter of record.  When I went into the ER there, I saw a Doctor Turnbull.  He was a part of a team of doctors, Turnbull and McCoy. After he examined me, he told both my wife and me, "be grateful you have one eye." Now that was not encouraging. I was put in a room with another person who had a similar injury, and he wasn't doing so great. I was trusting in the Lord for whatever outcome, and throughout this I was claiming Romans 8:28 rep...

Dear Heavenly Father,  I honor You as my sovereign Lord. I acknowledge that You are always present with me. You are the only all-powerful and wise God. You are kind and loving in all Your ways. I love You and thank You that I am united with Christ and spiritually alive in Him.  By your grace, I choose not to love the world, and because I am crucified with Christ, I follow the teachings of the Bible, and I reckon or determine that I am indeed dead to sin and alive to God. I crucify the flesh and all its passions. I submit to God and subject my passions to the Almighty God. I thank You for the life that I now have in Christ, and I ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live my life free from sin. I declare my dependence upon You. I surrender to You,  and I take my stand against Satan and all his lying ways. I choose to believe the truth, and I refuse to be discouraged. You are the God of all hope, and I am confident that You wi...

Praying This For A Special One Who Needs The "Six" Covered SoJourner