INTRODUCTION:

To focus on what God says about us, in dark moments of depression is one of the most powerfully encouraging suggestions ever shared.

God’s word is the one true, authentic source for information, inspiration and wisdom. But, as we use our own psychic filters (emotions, past memories, doubts, etc.) to process His truth – we risk interference and distortion ‘messing’ with the message.

THE PROBLEM:

We can know what God says about us – and still filter it (with emotions) to form standards for self-judgment instead of acceptance.

For example:  He says we are loved – we may feel un-loveable.

He says we are strong in the Lord – We may feel weak.

He says we are assured of Heaven – at times, life may feel like H_ _ _.

To feel anything that opposes the word of God is sin, and means that we are failures, right?

No. It ain’t necessarily so.

SOLUTIONS:

GOOD NEWS:  Feelings are not facts. Feelings are momentary perceptions – affected by a wild variety of potential influencers (chemistry, history, injury, illness, the enemy, etc.).

We are instructed to bring our thoughts into captivity to the word of God.

We do this by aligning our thoughts with what God says are FACTS.  We challenge and deliberately refute things that don’t agree.  First, we PRAY, then reject offending ideas.  We read, study, memorize and use repetition or other strategies to shift our thinking.

In a magnificent book called THE CURE, the authors (John Lynch, Bruce McNicol, and Bill Thrall) ask us to consider the caterpillar.

Biological analysis of the caterpillar shows that in every aspect, including DNA, what looks like a caterpillar (regardless of current appearance, abilities, or self-image) is in FACT – a butterfly.

Because that’s true, the caterpillar will, someday, transform into a beautiful butterfly – a new reality that is already true.

We can accept our feelings, without giving them the energy and attention it would take to deny or fight them – and still bring our thoughts into captivity to the truth.

We have choices other than a crawl into darkness. Unlike the caterpillar, we can rise to our feet. We can act – do something for others or ourselves. We can be aware and reminded of God’s TRUTH.

No matter how dark our momentary cocoon is … light still exists. We can forcefully focus on that fact – and remind ourselves that no matter how dark or confining the cocoon may be – It’s temporary.

SUMMARY:

Like the caterpillar, we may be crawling through our present circumstances, unable to stand, walk, or even imagine flying.

We can’t see it from within our cocoon, but our Divine DNA shows what God says about us is already true. One day we will see ourselves as He already does … beautiful.  And we’ll fly.

So, I can say:

“I feel ugly. I’m depressed.” Feelings are real, but they aren’t facts, and they are not the whole truth.

It’s helpful to remember that’s what this is — a story (fiction or non-fiction), which my emotions are telling me.

Stories are subject to good editing and revision.  When we recognize them for what they are, we’re not as apt to be trapped by them.

I could tell or write a story about my experience.

I could give this story a title (hmm, who would play me in the movie?).

Or, I could stop reading for a while. If I want to pick it up again, the story will still be there when I get back.

CONCLUSION:

Like the caterpillar, we may be crawling through our present circumstances, unable to stand, walk, or even imagine flying.  We may feel, or look, completely unattractive. We may be afraid, feeling trapped — wrapped in incredibly dark times of trial (physical and/or mental).

Courage! We can’t see it from within our cocoon, but our Divine DNA shows what God says about us is already true. We are loved. We are strong, and righteous in the Lord. Following Him, we are assured of heaven. We are victorious, and one day we will see ourselves as He already does … beautiful.  And we’ll fly.

We are already new, heavenly creations (it’s in our DNA), and one day we’ll emerge into, beauty. We can choose to hold on. Please do hold on, beloved.

Blessings, Love, and Laughter to you.

Margaret

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