Tag Archives: refuge in Jesus

Christ, the savior

In this blog post, I want to highlight another aspect of Jesus’ identity. Today, I want to emphasize that He is a savior, someone who saves you from dangers or difficulties.

If you find yourself in a challenging situation, Jesus will save you. He is known for saving us from eternal death, infinite suffering, and ongoing pain (Matthew 13:50). He did this by dying on the cross for us, which He did out of love. He saves us because He loves us.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

His qualities as a savior do not stop at the cross. He wants to be your savior in your everyday life.

He saves you by protecting you:

“The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand.” – Psalms 121:5

He saves by guiding you on the right path: The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. – Deuteronomy 31:8

Saving is in His DNA.

He is especially your savior when you are struggling with your mental health. The strength you need is found in His presence, and He will be there to comfort you.

Struggling with your mental health is often very complex and can be tangled with unhealed trauma. This is one of the reasons why doctors often can’t fully help people get out of a mental state; it is too complex.

Jesus, however, is the maker of heaven and earth. Nothing is too hard for Him. While I was going through mental illness, Jesus gave me insight into the root causes. He was there with me every step of the way and led me to a place of deliverance.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.- John 14:26

You’ll always have hope because you’ll always have Him.

Trust the one who gave you life

Life. A beautiful mystery. 

I spent a lot of my time debating the meaning of life and why such a thing exists. Consequently, I asked God a lot of questions about human life.  

I came to one conclusion:

You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’

 It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,  things far too wonderful for me. – Job 42:3 

The meaning of life is too wonderful for us to understand. As humans it is hard to completely understand God, His ways, and His purposes. However the bible does give us an image of the way God is in the details of our lives. 

He had a plan for us before we were formed in our mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). 

Then he knitted us together in our mother’s womb  (Psalm 139:13). 

He gave people the free will to come back to Him (Isaiah 44:22). 

If we make the decision to walk with Him, He leads us through life and gives us an assignment here on the earth (1 Corinthians 7:17). 

And then we can go back to heaven to spend eternity with Him (Titus 1:2). 

This sounds like a beautiful plan, but living it out can sometimes be difficult. The bible mentions the suffering and tribulations we would have while living on this earth. It also ensures that we are always safe with God and that He will carry us through (John 16:33; Psalm 9:9; Isaiah 46:4). 

It can be hard to keep your faith when you are suffering mentally and other people are not. Or when you are going through other difficulties other people aren’t facing. If God is who He says He is, then why does He allow these things to happen? 

I am the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that God has good plans for his children and that His ways are simply different than our ways. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.- Isaiah 55:8-9

God has a beautiful plan for you if you decide to walk with Him. Far too wonderful for you to understand. 

I want to encourage you to trust Him with your life. And His plans for your life to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and hope.  

I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord ; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 

To the Suicidal one: You don’t want to die

You don’t want to die.

Death is no solution.  

Having suicidal thoughts is a side effect of a severe depression, which means that when you are suicidal your mental health is remarkably bad. 

Depression puts your mind in a negative cognition. So everything is perceived through a more pessimistic lens. Therefore are the chances high that when your mental health recovers your suicidal thoughts will fade as well. 

The first sprinkle of hope… 

You don’t want to die, you want to end the emotional pain you have. Life can be hard and painful, but also so so beautiful. I don’t have an immediate solution for the agony that comes with being alive now. But I do want to change your perspective on the fact that everything is temporary. Your situation may seem hopeless, but a change of perspective, maybe with the help of someone else, will lead to better days. Or even happiness.

The second sprinkle of hope… 

I once read a quote about that when someone commits suicide they transfer the pain they’ve been carrying themselves to their loved ones. Personally, I couldn’t agree more. I don’t want to talk you into guilt. I just want to state the truth. You think a successful suicide attempt will be the solution for your situation but it simply is not. 

Don’t take me wrong I know what living in severe emotional pain for longer periods of time feels like. And I’m giving this advice out of the experience. The only way out of your struggles is being brave and looking your pain right in the eye. And heal from thereon.

It is tremendously hard, but definitely possible. When I realized the only way out was to face (in my case) my traumas. I found solace in the fact that I didn’t have to do it by myself.

For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you. – Isaiah 41:13-14 

I found rest, strength, and ultimate deliverance in Christ. His word strengthened me in ways that I can’t describe. As I was sorting out my pain I found peace in knowing that the one who holds the universe holds me by my hand.

This was my solution.