You look at your calendar and see your six monthly catch up with old school friends from outside of town has come up. You meet them at a cafe and hear that one of your friends has got a promotion, and another is going on a holiday overseas. You have been slowly walking out of a period of depression by looking to Jesus, rejoicing in your salvation, walking in the Spirit. But you now start thinking how can you measure up to their success? They try to pressure you to join a new local group and read some self help books that a friend of theirs has tried and now they are so happy.
In the past you would have asked for all the details. But then you remember Jesus; your true and faithful Friend who died for you on Calvary to win the victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. You see Him on Golgotha’s hill dying on the cross in your place between two criminal's, His arms outstretched and upraised in victory; and you are strengthened in your Spirit.
You tell them that you are happy for their friend and that you appreciate their love, but that you are doing a gospel Bible study that is addressing the heart issues that led you to becoming depressed. You tell them God has been working on your heart from the inside-out and that you are starting to experience glimpses of deep and lasting joy that does not depend on circumstances going well for you.
You remind yourself that your identity and eternal satisfaction is not found in the approval of your friends nor can their disapproval hurt you. You say to yourself that you are now the righteousness of God in Christ and His approval is what matters to you most.
Accepted, adopted, alive, approved, beautiful, I belong, beloved, betrothed, blameless, blessed, my sins are blotted out, name is written in the Book of Life, Bride of Christ, called, cared for, changed, child of God, chosen, citizen of heaven, cleansed, clothed, comforted, complete, consecrated, a new creation, have been delivered, elect, enlightened, enriched, equipped, established, exalted, faithful, favored, filled, flowing with rivers of living water, forgiven, sweet smelling fragrance, friend of God, in the family of God, full, I have a future, gifted, glorious, grace recipients, growing, healed, have a new heart, heaven bound, heirs, hope filled, made in the image of Christ, indestructible, interceded for, joined, filled with joy, justified, knit together, known by God, lifted up, loved, lovely, been shown mercy, have obtained an inheritance, offspring of God, one with God, at peace with God, people of God, pleasing to God, precious, predestined, preserved, protected, provided for, pursued, radiant, raised up, reconciled, redeemed, refreshed, rescued, restored, rich, righteous, rooted, safe, saved, sanctified, saints, satisfied, sealed, seated, secure, separated, shepherded, strengthened, surrounded, sustained, touched, transformed, treasured, triumphant, victorious, washed, wealthy, whole and God's workmanship. (written by a member of the Setting Captives Free Board).