Stepping Stones: Don’t Listen to the Accuser’s Tapes

April 13, 2012

Transformational Thought

During the most difficult time in my life, I was constantly scurrying and trying to dig myself out of trouble. I would find answers, but they were just short-term fixes - knee-jerk responses that brought temporary relief but more probIems. I would just wonder to myself, “what is going on,” “will I ever get a break,” “when will it stop,” or “why can’t I get it right?”

Do you, or somebody you know sometimes feel as though you are fighting your way through life and losing the hard-fought battle? Does it seem you are always falling farther and farther behind? Maybe you feel you’re such a failure that no one would or could help you.

Most of us have experienced these feelings, whether for fleeting moments when distressed, extended periods of time, or even whole seasons of life. If you suffer from chronic depression like so many people, you might feel alone and hopeless most of the time. When well-meaning people try to cheer you up by pointing out your good qualities or the positive aspects of your life, you may hear what they are saying as either false praise or else as words of one who doesn't know you and your deeper issues very well.

Well, there is someone who knows you better than you know yourself ... someone who wants to give you hope and help you win the battle. His name is Jesus. He promises you peace (John 14:27). He intercedes to God the Father for you (John 17:9). He promises to work all things for your good (Romans 8:28). He rides on the Heavens to help you (Deuteronomy 33:26).

You may say, "Those promises sound good for someone else, but they couldn't be for me. I don't deserve them. You don't know me." This may be true … but Jesus DOES know you. And He loves you. If no one else had existed, He would have died on the cross just for you. He loves you that much. None of us deserves that kind of love, but the beautiful part is we don’t have to deserve it, because Jesus gives it freely and unconditionally.

Today, actually use this truth in how you view yourself and your circumstances. Write down who you think you are and why you believe that. Are those beliefs based on facts? Are they earthly facts or heavenly facts? Are they the facts of the prosecution? Now list the facts that Jesus presents on your behalf. Above all else … let Him love you. Open your heart to the hope and healing that comes only from Him. It is your decision whether you will see the person Satan has brainwashed you to see, or the person that God sees - sanctified through the work of Jesus and His love. Listening to those tapes is your decision, so choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father God, thank You for loving me unconditionally. Thank You for sending Your only Son to die for me. Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me. When I'm feeling down, help me to remember Your love for me, to experience Your love, and to share Your love with others. I pray to You, Father, for all those in the world today suffering from depression. May they see themselves through Your eyes, and seek Your peace in the right places. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who knows me better than I know myself, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:19

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.”
Zechariah 3:1-5