Email 
Bookmark 
Print Going Deeper
by Lynette Hoy, NCC, LCPCSince you first put your faith in Christ, you've seen some significant changes in your life. You may feel you no longer need:
- to binge
- to drink
- to compete
- to control
- to take drugs
- to gain others' approval
- to be perfect
- to lie
- to cheat
- to resent
- to go to porn sites
- to be promiscuous...
...in order to fill up the void inside, to decrease the loneliness, the pain, the stress, the fear, the anger.
You've stopped (or mostly stopped) the destructive behavior, but, still you don't feel the peace and the joy you thought Christians should experience. You take one step forward, but then feel like you've taken another step back. You're at the steering wheel of your life, trying to make your way down the road, missing some obstacles, but still running into low self-esteem, envy, fear and defeat. What more do you need? Where can you find it?
Jesus. Yes! Jesus is enough for you. Jesus can help you do life and help you on the road to recovery. He is the answer to all your longings. He is the husband or wife you may never have. He is the peace and the light during suffering and confusion. Jesus is enough for any problem. Sufficient to meet your needs and empower you in your weakness. He loves you. He longs for your fellowship. He is the Good Shepherd who cares for you, one of His sheep. The Savior who forgives all your sins. The King who invites you to His throne of grace.
Hebrews 12:1-3 reads, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (NIV).
So, keep going and keep believing. Consider Jesus along the way.
When you are overwhelmed with disappointments and sorrow...
Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
When people and relationships disillusion you...
Consider Jesus, who proclaims, "You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:14-15).
Consider Jesus...when responsibilities and challenges trouble you...
He declares, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
Consider Jesus when your prayers seem to go unanswered...
Hear Him as He says, "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:14).
Consider Jesus when the one you loved leaves or dies...
He promises, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." "I give you eternal life, and you shall never perish; no one can snatch you out of my hand" (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20; John 10:28).
Consider Jesus when you face changes in your life and you don't know which way to go...
Jesus assures you that "I am the good shepherd." "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever" (John 10:11, 27; 14:16).
Consider Jesus when you don't know whom you can trust anymore...
Jesus says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" (John 14:1).
Consider Jesus when...you are anxious about your life...
Jesus declares, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
Consider Jesus when guilt overwhelms you...
Listen to Him proclaim, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." "Friend, your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 26:28; Luke 5:20).
Consider Jesus when you sense an emptiness inside...
Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).
Consider Jesus when you feel rejected and unworthy...
He promises,"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love" (John 15:9).
Consider Jesus when you are confused about which religion to believe...
Jesus, who declares, "I am the way the Truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me" (John 14:6).
Consider Jesus when you wonder what eternity holds for you after you die...
Jesus, who pronounces, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." "Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live" (John 11:25; John 14:19, NIV).
Application
Take an inventory:
- When do you feel low?
- When do feel like you've relapsed?
- What are you thinking and believing about God and you during and after those times?
- What are you telling yourself? How do your thoughts coincide with Scripture?
Do you react with frustration and hopelessness when you fail or when you feel down? - Do you accept the fact that you are human and in constant need of your Savior?
- Can you forgive yourself?
- Can you believe that God is still in the business of restoring your life? That His forgiveness is enough? That Jesus' power is enough? That Jesus will provide a way of escape when the temptations come?
- How has He helped you in the past?
- How can you apply Scriptures, prayer and obedience this week in order to let God take control of your life?
~ Lynette J. Hoy , NCC, LCPC, is a Marriage and Family Counselor and National Certified Counselor, author and speaker. She is the Executive Chair of the Chicagoland CBWC: Connecting Business Women to Christ organization. Lynette is co-founder of CounselCare Connection, P.C. providing online & office counseling for individuals, couples and families. Lynette regularly presents marriage, assertiveness, grief and divorce recovery, anger and stress management seminars. You can read her story online.
©2004 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC
Read Lynette Hoy’s book, What’s Good About Anger? It can be ordered online at: www.whatsgoodaboutanger.com or Amazon.com.
Visit Mrs. Hoy’s other sites: www.counselcareconnection.org/pages/Lay-Counseling.html; www.counselcareconnection.org ; www.lifecareweb.com.
