Overcoming Part 1

Until you've walked the road of caregiving, you can't begin to understand the depth of emotion that you can experience. It's like taking everything you've ever known and throwing it up in the air. Fifty percent of it will still apply, and the rest, while the truth will remain the same, will have to be reapplied differently.

I'm learning more and more about myself through this difficult time. I've learned that I AM NOT like everyone else. I have a different past, a different personality, a different spiritual gift, a different bent, a different situation, and I will have a different course of personal healing. None of us can be expected to apply Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3 and be done.

These are deep waters through which we pass. These are difficult times. These are trials and testings. These are the things that reveal who we are. These are times that try the soul and test your faith. These are times that strip us of our independence and cause us to fall on Jesus. These are the times that remove our judgmental spirit and teach us to love and accept people just as they are. These are the situations where we say, "I can't take another step" or "I can't do this." These things are beyond ourselves.

It's difficult to "Just Deal With It".

I have struggled in the past with depression. I won't go into all that lead me down that path, but let me say right here, it was not a lack of faith, a turning of my back on God, or a self-centered focus. It was many things, but I have never FOR ONE MOMENT, doubted my Father in Heaven. I have questioned whether this was too much for me to bear. I wondered where was the way of escape?

There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not
suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with
the temptation also make a way
to escape, that ye may be able
to bear it.
I Corinthians 10:13 .

If you are dealing with deep sadness and depression, may I suggest that you discuss this with your doctor? Please call a professional counselor. Get some help. It is nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to cover up and try to "deal with" yourself.

If, on the other hand, you are dealing with sadness and just struggling with feelings of fear, know that you can strengthen your heart in the Lord.

Focus on scriptures that will strengthen and encourage your heart.

Luke 18:27 "And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

Deuteronomy 31:6 " Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

James 1:2-6 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."

Romans 8:31 and 32 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

2 Timothy 2:1 "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

Colossians 3:2-4 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory"

Colossians 3:23 and 24 "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

Mark 9:23 "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Romans 8:18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Romans 8:37-39 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Psalm 27:13 and 14 "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Psalm 31:2 and 3 "Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me."

Rom 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Mic 7:8 "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me."

Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me."

1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

II Timothy 4:7, 8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

These are just a few of the scriptures that I have found over the course of many years of searching for an encouraging word in the Bible. God's Word is our source of truth, encouragement, wisdom, counsel, and guidance. I encourage you to stay in The Word as you walk this path.