Faith

The idea of this blog was originally to journal about recovery. In the first post I said I would talk about depression, anxiety, panic disorder, bipolar, and life in general. I think that has been done and I want to continue writing those thoughts down, but I have found the common thread in all of the posts has been faith. Faith in something outside of myself.

Laying it out there, which is no stretch if you've been following my writings, I place the entirety of my faith in and on Jesus. I believe he was physically incarnate, born of Mary, lived perfectly, died sacrificially, was risen to conquer death, and is seated at the right hand of his Father in Heaven. He intercedes on our behalf so that God may judge my righteousness in light of Jesus' perfection rather than my total inability to accomplish any righteousness on my own. Left to my own devices life would be about me alone, with no thought of others, which is a truly lonely existence.

I really don't put it out there like that everyday. I'm not exactly sure why I am putting it out there today other than the realization that there is no reason to add unnecessary loneliness to an already lonely feeling condition.

Again, I'm not going to beat anyone up with a Bible or scream Jesus at anyone. It's not my intention to offend or hurt. It's not me to say to drop the pills and rely on Jesus to heal you of your phony depression. I know you aren't depressed just because you don't know Jesus. Depression, anxiety, bipolar, all of them as illnesses, are just that- illnesses. Sometimes God inexplicably gives miracles and illnesses are cured, sometimes he gives us doctors, and all the time he gives us good sense to know that seeking help is the right thing to do.

Faith is so important because, as I said earlier, it takes away an unnecessary loneliness. I find that faith fills a natural sense of being part of something larger than myself. Even when I am completely alone I realize I can play a part to change the world. I realize that, being in Jesus, I can offer myself in service to help people. I remember some of the great miracles, like feeding 5,000 with far too little food, and realize I can share water with the thirsty and bread to the hungry. I realize that offering myself to Jesus' service is where Jesus abides in me, then I am free of that loneliness.

If you are suffering, know again I would tell you to get help. Call me, call a friend, call anyone; just get help. If you just want to know how to fill a little piece of that loneliness that seems apart from your depression, know that faith is the solution to filling the gap.