theauthenticlife

An encounter with deep despair and sadness, even depression, is almost inevitable. It’s someone in our family; it’s someone in our small group; it’s someone in our church – and it may even be the person looking at this computer screen. It happens to good people. It happens to God’s people. It happens to people that seem to have an otherwise perfect life. It happens to mothers who have just brought him a beautiful, healthy child from the hospital. It happens to men who have successful careers and strong families. It happens to pastors (and their families). Sometimes it’s a clinical depression; sometimes it’s a spiritual depression (sometimes it’s a combination of the two). Regardless, it’s a reality in our churches, and it’s affecting the people that we would least expect. In many cases, depression is a hormonal issue, or a chemical imbalance. It may not even be remotely “spiritual” in nature. Talk to your doctor. I have many, many Christian brothers and sisters who are on anti-depressants, and that’s okay. If you have diabetes, or arthritis, or high blood pressure, you’re going to get on medication. If you have depression (and it’s a physiological issue), then you have the full freedom to consider medication. It may not get entirely better – in this life. Hopefully, it will, and for many of you, it probably will. But for others, it’s possible that this will be a life-long struggle (at least on some level). However, if this is the case, God remains faithful. He can use this depression as the greatest sanctifying tool in your life. You can learn to lean on Him and trust Him in a way that others cannot. And remember, there is coming a day when He will once and for all, wipe all of the tears from your eyes. Although you may weep for the night, joy is coming in the morning. And in the mean time, He may not take the depression from you, but He will hold your hand. . . . until the deep, dark night of the soul is over.

The Bible teaches that women are not objects or possessions, but rather they are equal partners with men in God's plan for humanity. In Genesis 1:27, it is written that God created both male and female in His own image, and in Galatians 3:28, it is stated that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." These verses emphasize the equal value and worth of both men and women in God's eyes, and the Bible consistently portrays women as active and important participants in the story of salvation. Furthermore, the Bible also teaches that no man has the right to shame or talk down to a woman. In Proverbs 31:28, it is written that a husband should praise his wife, and in Ephesians 5:25-28, it is stated that a husband should love his wife as Christ loved the church, sacrificing himself for her. Any behavior that demeans, belittles, or objectifies a woman is not in line with the teachings of the Bible, and goes against the respect and honor that God commands us to show to all people. In summary, the Bible teaches that women are equal partners with men in God's plan, and that no man has the right to shame or talk down to a woman. As followers of Christ, we are called to treat all people with dignity, respect, and love, just as Jesus did during his time on earth. May we always strive to uphold these values in our relationships with others, and seek to honor God in all that we do.