Renewing Your Mind (Victory Series Book #4): Become More Like Christ (10 page)

Exodus 6:6–12

Key Point

The Lord is our ever present help in time of need.

Key Verse

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

H
uman beings, endowed by the Creator with mental and physical powers, have launched satellites into space. They have transplanted hearts, kidneys, and livers, allowing people to live longer. They have climbed the highest peaks, descended into the lowest depths, and probed the universe, going where no one has gone before. Athletes keep chopping inches and seconds off world records.

However, there is a limit to what finite humans can do. If we were gods—as the false prophets of the New Age movement would have us
believe—there would be no limit to what we could do. But we are not gods, and without God we will eventually find ourselves in a helpless situation. Our finite resources can help us overcome many obstacles for a time, but in the end they cannot save us.

Helplessness is a primary symptom of depression, and often it is learned. Take fleas, for instance. If you put them in a beaker with a glass plate over the top, after a few attempts to fly out, they will remain in the beaker even after you remove the glass plate. If you put a glass divider in an aquarium with a fish on one side and its favorite food on the other, within a few days the fish will remain on its side after you remove the divider. Baby elephants that are chained to a stake in the ground will remain staked to the ground even when they are older and can easily pull up the stake.

This all occurs because they learned to be helpless when they were young. The Israelites suffered from a similar kind of helplessness. They couldn’t believe good news when they heard it! God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites that He would bring them out of slavery in Egypt and be their God (see Exodus 6:6–7). When Moses shared this with the Israelites, they didn’t listen to him, “because of their discouragement and harsh labor” (verse 9). Years of conditioning had left them with a sense of helplessness. Even Moses felt helpless to persuade Pharaoh, for he had learned by experience that he could not even persuade his own people. It is not uncommon today to see entire people groups gripped by depression because they feel helpless to change their circumstances.

Scientific experiments show that a real or perceived sense of helplessness affects our neurochemistry. Helping people overcome their sense of helplessness and hopelessness has proven to be as effective as antidepressant medication—without the potentially negative side effects. So, if the precipitating cause for depression is not neurological, should we take medication? Perhaps the question is best answered by an analogy. If we are suffering from acid indigestion, should we take an antacid? Yes, but that is not a complete answer. We should probably consider changing our eating habits and investigate other potential causes for the upset stomach, such as ulcers or cancer.

Why has there been a tenfold increase in depression during the last 50 years? It is doubtful that our brain chemistry or our genes have changed
radically. The problem lies more with what we believe and how we live. Our hope has been misplaced, our beliefs have strayed from the truth, and we have failed to learn how we can overcome helplessness by turning to God.

How is depression a symptom of helplessness? In what ways is it a learned trait?

According to Exodus 6:6–9, why did the Israelites have trouble believing Moses?

What are the many ways that we truly are helpless without God?

Where and when do you feel helpless? How can you change that perception?

Why do you think the whole world is experiencing a “blues” epidemic?

No instigator had stirred up the crowds. They were not harassed and helpless because of some mishap or disturbance. So why was Jesus so moved with compassion [Matthew 9:36] for these people? Clearly the Lord has pity on these people held in the sway of an unclean spirit and burdened by the law, because no shepherd was about to restore to them the guardianship of the Holy Spirit.

Hilary of Arles (AD 403–449)

Numbers 13:26–14:9

Key Point

Helplessness is overcome through the power of God and by believing His truth.

Key Verse

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

G
od overrode the learned helplessness of the Israelites and saved them from Egypt. Twelve spies were sent into the Promised Land. Imagine the dismay of the Israelites when 10 spies came back with a discouraging report: “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31). Now what? Their present circumstances were bleak, their prospects seemed hopeless, and they felt helpless because they were unable to do anything about it—or so they thought.

However, two of the spies didn’t see it that way. Joshua and Caleb saw the land as exceedingly good (see 14:7). They could see with the eyes of
faith that their enemies’ protection was gone and that the Lord was with His people (see verse 9). God would win their battles for them. For their part, the Israelites had to overcome their fears by trusting God and obeying His Word.

Many people are defeated because of childhood messages they received from the world or from careless parents.
You can’t
do that; you better let me do it. You’re
not big enough. You’ll never amount to anything
. It has been estimated that 95 percent of the world’s population is pessimistic by nature. News anchors report the bad news and seldom share the good news. Three news helicopters and 15 police cars will follow a fugitive in a car pursuit for hours, but nobody is following the good guys and gals who set about their day encouraging others. Meteorologists predict a 35 percent chance for rain but seldom say there is a 65 percent chance for sunshine.

The world is obliterated with blessing snatchers. “Oh, I see you bought a new car. I bought one like that. It was a lemon.” “So, you became a new Christian. Well, now you have an enemy you never had before!” There are also naysayers who claim it can’t be done. Motivational speakers try to shed some light with clever little jingles: “If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you like to win, but think you can’t, it is almost certain you won’t. If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost, for out in the world we find that success begins with a fellow’s will. It’s all in the state of mind. . . . Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.”
1

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” There is some truth to that axiom, but you don’t overcome helplessness by the power of positive thinking, as beneficial as that may be for the natural man. You would still be limited by your own natural abilities. Christians aren’t motivated by hype. They are motivated by Pentecostal vision that believes with God all things are possible, because if God wants it done, it can be done. “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37
NLT
), even the pregnancy of a virgin. You overcome helplessness by the power of God and by believing the truth. Someone once said that success comes in “cans” and failure comes in “cannots.” On pages 128–129 are Twenty “Cans” of Success that will help you overcome your sense of helplessness.

Did the 10 spies walk by faith or by sight? What is the difference?

What kind of vision did Joshua and Caleb have in that same situation?

Why are there so many blessing-snatchers and naysayers?

For you, how is God an ever-present help in time of need?

What situations in your life right now do you need to see through the eyes of faith rather than through eyes of fear and helplessness?

Since this might seem like a great boast, see how quickly he adds: “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me” [Philippians 4:13]. Any achievement I have had belongs not to me, but to the One who gave me strength.

John Chrysostom (AD 347–407)

Twenty “Cans” of Success

1. Why should I say I can’t when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (see Philippians 4:13)?
   
2. Why should I worry about my needs when I know that God will take care of all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:19)?
   
3. Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (see 2 Timothy 1:7)?
   
4. Why should I lack faith to live for Christ when God has given me a measure of faith (see Romans 12:3)?
   
5. Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God (see Psalm 27:1; Daniel 11:32)?
   
6. Why should I allow Satan control over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world (see 1 John 4:4)?
   
7. Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in victory (see 2 Corinthians 2:14)?
   
8. Why should I lack wisdom when I know that Christ became wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it (see 1 Corinthians 1:30; James 1:5)?
   
9. Why should I be depressed when I can recall God’s lovingkindness, compassion, and faithfulness, and have hope (see Lamentations 3:21, 23)?
   
10. Why should I worry and be upset when I can cast all my anxieties on Christ who cares for me (see 1 Peter 5:7)?
    
11. Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that Christ has set me free and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (see Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17)?
    
12. Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (see Romans 8:1)?
    
13. Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me (see Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5)?
    
14. Why should I feel like I am cursed when the Bible says that Christ rescued me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit by faith (see Galatians 3:13–14)?
    
15. Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content whatever the circumstances (see Philippians 4:11)?
    
16. 16. Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin for me so that I might become the righteousness of God (see 2 Corinthians 5:21)?
    
17. Why should I feel helpless in the presence of others when I know that if God is for me, nobody or nothing greater can be against me (see Romans 8:31)?
    
18. Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through His Spirit who lives in me (see 1 Corinthians 2:12; 14:33)?
    
19. Why should I feel like a failure when I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me (see Romans 8:37)?
    
20. Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its problems (see John 16:33)?
    

The thought of suicide came to me as naturally then as the thought of improving life had come to me before. This thought was such a temptation that I had to use cunning against myself in order not to go through with it too hastily. I did not want to be in a hurry only because I wanted to use all my strength to untangle my thoughts. If I could not get them untangled, I told myself, I could always go through with it. And that I was, a fortunate man, carrying a rope from room to room, where I was alone every night as I undressed, so that I would not hang myself from the beam between the closets. And I quit going hunting with a gun, so that I would not be too easily tempted to rid myself of life. I myself did not know what I wanted. I was afraid of life. I struggled to get rid of it, and I hoped for something from it.

And this was happening to me at a time when, from all indications, I should have been considered a completely happy man; this was when I was not yet fifty years old. I had a good, loving, and beloved wife, fine children, and a large estate that was growing and expanding without any effort on my part. More than ever before I was respected by friends and acquaintances, praised by strangers, and I could claim a certain renown without really deluding myself.

—Leo Tolstoy in
Confessions
1

Dearest, I feel certain I am going mad again. I feel we can’t go through another of those terrible times. And I shan’t recover this time. I begin to hear voices, and I can’t concentrate. So I am doing what seems the best thing to do. You have given me the greatest possible happiness. You have been in every way all that anyone could be. I don’t think two people could have been happier till this terrible disease came. I can’t fight any longer.

—The final letter from author Virginia Woolf to her husband
2

My wife was freed from five years of clinical depression after working through the Steps to Freedom in Christ. The two years before this, my wife had been institutionalized for a week and had been drugged to the extent that she was a zombie. She was taking more than nine medications for her illness, more than 30 pills daily. Just two weeks prior to meeting with our pastor to work through the seven steps, I gave up and decided to quit my marriage of more than 20 years. My son shamed me into staying, and I thank God every day for having him do so. After working through the seven steps and praying for a renewing of my wife’s mind, we saw a healing by God. My wife was able to stop all of the medications except for two. She is now able to live her life fully. Whereas before she hid in our room and wished her life was over.

—Email sent to the author

I am 27 years old, on my second marriage and have five kids. I have been dealing with depression for most of my life. I have tried many things to stop the pain and overdosed on meds several times. My church was doing the
Victory Over the Darkness
video series, and when I saw the lesson “the Battle for Our Minds,” I realized that I wasn’t crazy. I have always heard voices in my head but was afraid to tell anyone. My pastor led me through the Steps to Freedom in Christ. The voices are gone, and I am a new person. I wake up with a song of praise every morning.

—Email sent to author

Daily Readings