Proverbs 29:18a Where there is no vision, the people perish.
I came from a broken home. Although I was never abused, my parents were always fighting verbally when they were together. My mother was in and out of the hospital with depression her whole life. I grew up with very similar problems.
From age 5 until I became an avid Christian at 21, there isn't a day I remember when I wasn't depressed. Some days were worse than others.
My father never realized I had a problem with depression until I had a discussion with him when I was in my 30's. He thought I was just like him, very strong emotionally.
When I was in high school I started writing letters to God saying IF He existed, He would have to get me out of this state of mind. I didn't know how much longer I could take it. In spite of the fact that I got good grades, was good in sports, was good looking, and had a steady girlfriend, I was sinking more and more into despair.
When I was in college I got involved with a non-denominational, charismatic Christian ministry which I thought would help. I accepted Christ and three days later I received what people call the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I spoke in tongues. I knew something supernatural had taken place; I couldn't deny it.
For a year after that, I claimed to be a Christian, but I was still involved in fornication which I didn't want to give up. I reached a point of desperation and decided to give up willful sin and wholeheartedly follow Jesus. That's when things started to change—slowly.
I realized the main reason for my depression was that I believed life was futile. Why strive to succeed if all we do is live and die? I didn't think the effort was worth it. But when I fully submitted to living for Christ, things changed. I now had purpose!
I also had supernatural proof that what I believed was true. Not only was I promised eternal life, but I would be rewarded eternally on top of that for living for Christ now. Hebrews 6:10a "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name." There are rewards, crowns, and prizes available in the future for our stand for God right now. Also we have God to help us navigate and be successful here in this life. Such a deal!
My life had been in a hole of depression for so long I had a lot of baggage. I didn't change overnight. But instead of things quickly getting worse, things slowly got better.
I did student teaching my last year of college. I don't believe I would have had the confidence to do it if I hadn't become a Christian. But I actually did rather well as a student teacher.
After committing my life to Christ almost 50 years ago I've had many ups and downs. I was raised a nominal Jew, but I've been an avid Christian since 1974. I've had very trying circumstances along the way, but I've never quit on God, and He has always brought me through.
Every time the enemy tries to break you, he's taking a risk that he will make you stronger. Whenever you face a crisis and allow God to bring you through to the other side, you get added strength to walk for Him.
I am now 71 years old. I believe the depression would have killed me by the age of 30 if I didn't have God. But today I have a successful business, a good marriage, and health. I still play tennis a couple of times a week in nice weather. Also my wife and I have been able to minister to and help thousands of people over the years.
If you are serving God so that you won't go to hell, you don't understand salvation by grace. That's not the motivation God wants for you.
My supernatural experience when I accepted Christ was only the beginning. Since then I've seen hundreds of miraculous healings. I prophesy frequently, and I've had visions and supernatural dreams. Also I've witnessed other types of miracles.
God wants to prove Himself to you as well. If you are open to the supernatural you will give God the opportunity He desires to show you His power. This really builds confidence and boldness.
Hebrews 12:1 wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Let's continue serving God in this life. It's the best thing going now and also for eternity. You can't lose.
The use of pronouns is a hot topic today in the entire field of gender identity.
We, us, they, and the like are words people throw around to day to describe "their" particular gender choice. While gender identity is a social construct and one of the latest trends that has arrived on the seen the bible gives us the truth regarding this social phenomenon. According to PhD's who study this field there are well over 100 genders one can claim to be. Any time you get a PHD AKA pot hole digger involved you are bound to have confusion. The Bible teaches that God is not the author of confusion.
1 Corinthians 14:33. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? John 18:38.
Jesus had answered this question already in John 17:17b thy word is truth. And in 2 Peter 1:3 we learn that God has already given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of his word.
The simple truth is there are only two genders male and female. Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Anytime man puts his nose where it does not belong he degrades and distorts God's laws and doctrine. Some may think it vogue to claim to be something other than their birth gender but this only teaches people to ignore common sense and become comfortable with lying. If a person hardens their heart and mind long enough to this social hurricane they will become a, we or they.
Mark 5:9b My name is Legion: for we are many. Luke 8:31a And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. Mark 1:24a Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth?
When people invite other "personalities" into their lives and begin to identify as those personalities that person has what the bible calls a demon or an unclean spirit. If only they knew they were being played by the devil perhaps they'd wake up to the reality that satan is the god of this world, and his only purpose is to steal kill and destroy. 2 Corinthians 4:4a In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. John 10:10a the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: Hosea 4:6a My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge... It's a sad day within the church when we reject knowledge and invite the devil into our teaching pulpits and lead people into accepting demons into their lives under the pretense of gender identity. Think about it.