And now, you have the chance to do something similar. Today you have an opportunity to share something very important that will benefit not only you but also will comfort and give hope to other people: your own story about your journey out of depression.
I want you to notice how Paul’s testimony was specifically designed by God to provide hope to others:
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. (16) But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV)
Question 7. According to 1 Timothy 1:15-16, what is the reason why Paul was shown mercy?
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As a Pharisee, Paul had lived life in rebellion against God. He had persecuted the church of God while claiming to uphold the Law of God. He had given his assent to the stoning of Stephen and gone on to imprison Christians all around the region. His zeal for persecuting Christians was unmatched.
But God showed mercy to Paul through the gospel. Paul called himself the “the worst of sinners” but said that Jesus came into this world “to save sinners”. Jesus said that it is not the healthy who need a doctor but rather the sick (Mark 2:17); and as the Great Physician, Jesus came to heal Paul of his sin-sickness through the gospel. The gospel had changed Paul from being a terrorist to an evangelist; from persecuting the church to preaching the gospel!
But why? Why did God show mercy to Paul? Why did Jesus heal Paul?
The answer is found in 1 Timothy 1:16: the reason why Paul was shown mercy was “as an example for those who would believe and receive eternal life.” We should look at Paul, see his rebellion against God, see his evil life of persecuting the church, then see the mercy and forgiveness God gave him, the change made in his heart and life, and think:
“If God can be merciful to a terrorist like Paul, he can give me mercy too!” That’s the very thing God wants us to think.
We also know that a biblical, gospel-focused testimony is one of the tools that we can use to overcome Satan. We get that from Revelation 12:11:
They triumphed over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11 (NIV)
In Revelation 12:11 we see that there is power in the gospel (the “blood of the Lamb”), and in sharing our gospel-centered testimony. We “overcome him...by the word of our testimony!”
And so it becomes clear that God wants to give people hope through the sharing of a gospel testimony. As you consider sharing your testimony, remember that God wants to give hope to other people that they, too, can be free from depression.
Let's make this practical:
You have grown in grace in recent months and this is evident in your more joyful, others-centered attitude, and it shows. Friends are starting to approach you and ask you what you are doing that is making you so different now.
You are tempted to play it off as nothing special. "Oh, I'm just trying to be more positive." But then you are reminded that God has given you His gospel to share so instead you see this as an opportunity to share your faith in Jesus Christ and explain how He is setting you free from despair. As you share your testimony, your heart is encouraged and your faith is strengthened.
Your friends are really interested in this new you and want to have the joy and freedom that you have so they ask you to help them. At first, you are tempted to think you aren't qualified because you feel that you still have a long way to go, but then you realize that this is an opportunity that God has given you so you agree.
Question 8. Have you had an opportunity to share with others how Jesus is setting you free from despair? Please share:
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William writes, "Yes just recently after a friend called me to encourage me about my migraine I was having he told me he was having a very depressive time. I was able to tell him about how now I have a cross centered Focus. Now I see the cross of Jesus as even more than saving me from my sins and having a relationship with him. Which I am even more grateful for I also see how the sacrifice of Jesus allows me to no longer focus on my depression but helps me to see the hope I have with my eyes focused on the cross of Christ."
Diana writes, "Yes in a Bible study I attend, I was able to share with other women who have also been suffering with depression how looking to the cross and getting a clearer understanding of what was done there I can be freed from my depression and be at peace with God and myself. I can't share it enough."
Cheryl writes, "Focusing on Jesus has brought me out of the pit of helplessness and hopelessness into the light of help, hope, and love. I am eternally thankful for all our loving heavenly Father, His son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have done for me. I have an attitude of gratitude and want to share the good news with whoever will listen. Thank you so much for bringing these Godly lessons to me, so I can have my joy back. God bless you ."
So tell your story here to encourage others. Share how depression has affected your life and the consequences of it.
But then turn a corner in your story and show how you are coming to know Jesus, experiencing the darkness lifting from your life, and how the light of Jesus is changing you through the gospel.
Take your time with this, enjoy it, and see if God would use you to give hope to someone else.
As we share how our lives have been changed by Jesus, as we share the mercy that He has shown us at the cross, we are emboldened in our walk with the Lord, and others are encouraged and given hope by our story of grace. This is exactly how God has designed it to be.
Please note: If you choose to share your testimony, only your first name will appear with your testimony on our public site. Your testimony will be edited for concision and clarity as needed.
Question 9. Please describe what changes have taken place in your heart and life (if any) since starting this Depression course. If you do not wish to share your testimony with others at Setting Captives Free, please include the statement, "I do not wish to share" at the end of your testimony:
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Diana writes, "The changes that the Lord has made in my life through this course have been life altering. My husband has wanted me to take this course for some time but I was putting it off thinking I had everything under control. Of course i was wrong as I had been so often about my depression. I was sceptical but as I started going through the lessons I noticed my heart changing. I was shedding tears daily as I learned how the cross and the Saviour could bring me joy, relief and freedom from all I had been experiencing over the past 20 years. I have not looked at the cross the same since beginning to see what Jesus did for me there. That he came to rescue the broken hearted, set prisoners free from darkness, comfort those who mourn and give a garment of praise instead of despair. This has been my daily remembrance Isaiah 61:1-3. Thank you Jesus for loving me despite all my issues and the times I have not been faithful and thank you Setting Captives free for writing this course, it has changed my life!"
Harris writes, "I would like to thank God for these lessons and of course I would like to give glory to God for what he did on the cross for me. I came here with depression that was influencing me for decades. I knew in my head that Christ did something about this on the cross but did not really be able to live it. Since I started the lessons here I begun to see, be aware, how Jesus was taking on himself my sins, burdens, sorrows, that He indeed actually did something and went all the way for my situation. The cross is the reverse of sin and depression. He who begun a good work in me is faithful to finish it.Thank you Lord Jesus for suffering my pain. Thank you Lord and I give to you all the glory. Amen"
Tami writes, "God used this course to continually point me to Himself. To remind me of His great grace and the healing that is found in Him alone. To help me to focus on Christ and the cross, instead of being consumed with my seemingly painful and impossible circumstances. I am still in process. Everyday I am faced with many things that seek to draw me away and force me back into the pit. This class has confirmed that the answers and the strength to overcome is found in falling back on the love and grace and healing in jesus and not the pit of lies of the enemy throws my way."
We would love to do an audio interview with you. These always give so many other people hope! If you'd like to do this, please schedule a time to share your experience.
I also encourage you to share your testimony in church or with friends, let them know how precious Jesus is becoming to you and the changes He is making in your heart and life.
Please consider going on to take the Mentorship course. It is such a blessing to comfort others with the comfort we have received from Jesus. Finally, dear friends, the journey with depression has periods of ups and downs as we walk with faith and hope into the fullness of the freedom that Jesus gives us at the cross, trusting God and “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV). If you were prayerfully considering further biblical counsel, you can search for biblical counselors here. Whether there are times of sadness or not, we just need to fall into the arms of Jesus at the cross, trusting in His finished work and resting in tenderness and love with Him.
Can you always hold the image of the disciple John (John 13:23) leaning against the chest of His beloved Savior in your heart, and as we worship together here:
Question 10. Have you received the gospel of Jesus Christ today in your study of God's Word?
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Question 11. Have you applied the gospel of Jesus Christ in your life today?
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It requires financial resources to operate this ministry and to provide all the course materials for free, so we ask you to consider making a donation to the ministry here. Your gift of any size will help to bring hope and healing to more families all around the world. Your donations are tax-deductible. Also, we would like to ask you to please pray for the ministry of Setting Captives Free. We work with many people whose lives the devil has devastated, and we want to give them gospel hope for real restoration. We really need your prayer support.
Thank you in advance for your partnership in the gospel.
Setting Captives Free has a 30-day devotional course available; if you are interested in it, click here.