Author: tommestevenson@gmail.com

Posted on

The Good Son, A Warning

The Good SonThe good son—do you even know who I am talking about? Luke 15:11-32 is a parable Jesus taught about a lost, wayward son who finds redemption through a good father. The story is often taught in Sunday school and is the subject of many sermons and commentaries. The focus of most of these teachings is on how the prodigal son squandered his inheritance, was redeemed by a loving father, and was restored to his family. It exemplifies the act of Christ redeeming us back into His family after we have turned our backs on Him.

This is a great story in itself. But, like many of Jesus’ teachings, this one carries a warning.

The Good Son

The part of one verse that caught my attention is in verse 28: “So his father went out and pleaded with him.” This statement describes the good son, the rule follower, who is filled with righteous indignation over the lost son’s treatment. We sometimes hear or read a commentary about this son. We hear how he, like Jonah, followed all the rules, did what was right, believed he had earned God’s blessing, and did not want to see the unworthy rewarded above himself.

Jonah ran from God to try to stop God’s salvation plan for the Ninevites. The good son simply refused to join the celebration. The good son, like Jonah, felt there was an admission price tied to redemption.

But the father went out to him and pleaded with him.

Today’s Church

Galatians 2:21, “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

I am a visual learner. If I can see something with my eyes or imagine it in my mind, I will remember it longer. So, when I read verse 28, the image that appeared in my mind was my church—actually, any church. Jesus was at the pulpit, and the wayward sons were in the congregation. They are like the thief on the cross or the Ninevites who desperately wanted grace, but Christ had to go out into the parking lot to gather all of the good sons into the church. These are the parishioners who regularly attend church, tithe, participate in community groups and Bible studies, and pray. They are working toward crowns and jewels as a reward for their service.

The people standing outside are earning their redemption by following all the rules. They see themselves as justified because they are trying. Biblically, they understand they can’t balance the scales, but at least they are making an effort. The problem is that they love God’s stuff—redemption and grace—without truly loving God.

Romans 9:30-32, “What then shall we say? That the Gentiles who did not strive for righteousness have achieved it, that is, righteousness based on faith, but that Israel, who did strive for righteousness based on the Law, did not succeed in attaining it? Why did this happen? Because they did not pursue it by faith but on the basis of works. They tripped over the stone that causes one to stumble,”

The good son is the Pharisees of biblical times. But he is also the overly righteous of our day.

The Idea of Heaven

“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation— is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there? ” ― John Piper, God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Love as the Gift of Himself

They love the idea of heaven, the idea of not being sick, no pain, no sin, seeing loved ones again in an ideal environment, rather than spending eternity at the feet of Christ.

There is a song “What a God” that has lyrics that say:

If the highest place I reached is at your feet. Then I’ve done it all.

If the best thing that I’ve seen is your glory. Then I’ve seen it all,

If one word is the only thing you speak. Then I’ve heard it all,

If I feel your heart and never see your hand. I still have it all,

This is the definition of heaven. It’s not about inheriting streets of gold and rooms in a mansion: it’s not the result of a transactional relationship. It’s about receiving what we don’t deserve and basking in the glory of that gift.

At judgment, I don’t want to be caught standing in the parking lot. Jesus will come out and call me home, but it’s not the homecoming I want. I want to remember to love Christ for who He is, not what He offers. I want to be the person He made me to be, not as repayment, but out of genuine awe of who He is and what He has done for me.

Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”

Posted on

At Some Point, We all Need a Miracle.

At some point, everyone needs a Miracle.At some point, we all need a miracle. That isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s part of being human. Sometimes life pushes us so hard that we finally see what has always been true: we were never meant to carry everything alone.

“One genuine miracle equals a thousand sermons.” — Angus Buchan

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We all experience times of great need. Sometimes it’s our work or business that is in danger. Maybe it’s a loved one’s life that feels fragile and uncertain. Or it’s exhaustion, fear, or grief that we can’t even put into words. In those moments, we’re not asking for luxury or comfort—we’re asking to survive. We’re asking for hope. We’re asking God to step in where we cannot.

Most of us desire a “parting-the-Red-Sea” miracle: something clear, instant, and overwhelming. A solution that erases doubt, pain, and waiting all at once. And yes, those miracles do happen. But more often, God’s miracles occur quietly, gently, and cooperatively. They involve our obedience, our action, and our participation, even when we don’t realize it at the time.

Answered prayer often follows a pattern that is less dramatic but more personal. Not because God is distant, but because He is deeply involved in shaping us, not just rescuing us.

Here are six truths that appear again and again in Scripture:

First, God knew the need before we ever spoke it.

Psalm 139:4, “Even before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely.”

Your fear, exhaustion, and silent prayers—He already sees them. Delay doesn’t mean absence. Silence isn’t indifference. God’s timing isn’t about neglect; it’s about purpose. He’s never hurried, confused, or surprised.

Second, God could fix everything instantly without involving us.


He created the universe with just a word. God doesn’t need our help, but He desires our hearts. He wants a relationship—He wants us to walk with Him, not just watch Him.

Genesis 22:18 states blessing flows “because you have obeyed me.” Obedience isn’t a payment; it’s participation. God invites us into His work not because He is limited, but because love seeks closeness.

Third, God asks us to do what we can. Obedience is movement.

You can’t steer a ship that never leaves the dock. Obedience is often a small, quiet act when clarity is missing. God nudges rather than shouts. He asks for steps, not certainty.

Peter had to step out of the boat.
The servants had to fill the jars with water.
The widow had to gather containers.
The paralyzed man had to be carried by friends who believed.

None of these actions was glamorous; they were just faithful.

Four, God works with what we already possess.

This is often the first miracle we overlook: we are not empty.
The widow had oil.
The crowd had bread and fish.
The paralyzed man had friends.
The wedding had water jars.

We often focus on what we lack and overlook what God has already given us. Our resources may seem small, but they are never insignificant when placed in God’s hands.

Fifth, God does what we cannot do.

This is where grace comes in. Water becomes wine.
Oil multiplies.
Bread expands.
Broken bodies are healed. Fear turns into courage.

Our obedience forms the foundation. God brings the transformation. The miracle is not our work—it is His. But He graciously allows our small acts to play a part in something much greater.

Sixth, the harsh truth: it often takes longer, hurts more, and makes less sense than we wish.

This is the part we find most difficult. We see obedience as a transaction: “If I do what God wants, He will give me what I want.”

But love is not a contract. God sees farther than we do. He understands consequences we cannot imagine. What feels slow to us often provides protection. Pain might be refining. What feels confusing could be shaping a future we cannot yet see.

And yet, His promise remains steadfast:

Jeremiah 29:11, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Not comfort at all costs. Not speed at any cost. Instead, hope. Healing. Purpose. Growth.

These miracles show what compassionate faith really means:

    1. Walking on Water – Matthew 14:22–33
    2. Water to Wine – John 2:1–11
    3. The Widow and the Oil – 2 Kings 4:1–7
    4. Feeding the Five Thousand – Matthew 14:13–21
    5. The Paralyzed Man – Luke 5:17–26

Each one demonstrates effort, trust, and divine intervention working together. Each one shows God meeting people where they truly are, not where they want to be.

Miracles don’t show perfection; they reveal need.
And needing God isn’t a sign of failure; it’s the start of grace.

Posted on

Part Three: Finishing Faithfully

Finishing WellIn my three-quarters of a century, I have noticed that a life that ends well rarely happens by chance. It results from thousands of small decisions made over many years.

Knowing who you are is crucial. Acting on opportunities as they come is just as vital. But there is one more trait that distinguishes people who start strong from those who finish strong.

They endure.

The Christian life was never intended to be a short sprint. It’s a long journey that demands perseverance.

Many people start with enthusiasm. They are excited about new opportunities, new ministries, and new ideas. But over time, discouragement, fatigue, and disappointment gradually diminish that initial excitement.

The challenge isn’t in starting; it’s in persistence.

The Long Road of Faithfulness

Scripture repeatedly reminds us that endurance is part of God’s design for spiritual maturity.

James wrote:

James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

The writer of Hebrews encouraged believers with these words:

Hebrews 12:1, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Notice that the metaphor is not a sprint but a marathon. Distance runners succeed not through short bursts of energy but through consistent persistence.

Faithfulness works the same way.

There will be times when progress seems slow. Moments will come when your efforts go unnoticed. Some of the work God asks us to do may never receive visible recognition.

But God has never measured faithfulness by applause: He measures it by endurance.

Discouragement Along the Way

One of the greatest challenges in perseverance is discouragement.

We might start a task believing it will produce quick results. When nothing happens, doubt starts to creep in. We question whether our efforts are worthwhile.

Elijah went through this after a major spiritual victory on Mount Carmel. After confronting the prophets of Baal and seeing God’s power firsthand, he soon felt discouraged and drained in the wilderness. Even God’s most faithful servants have moments when their strength runs out.

God did not rebuke Elijah for his discouragement. Instead, He restored him and sent him on his way again.

This pattern is seen throughout Scripture. Faithful individuals often go through times of exhaustion.

What distinguishes those who finish strong is not the lack of discouragement but their willingness to keep going despite it.

Quiet Faithfulness

Some of the most meaningful work in God’s kingdom happens quietly. A parent raising children with integrity. A mentor investing in younger believers. A friend who continues to care for someone who is struggling.

These actions seldom draw attention, but they influence lives in ways that resonate far beyond what we can observe.

Paul reminded the Galatians of this truth:

Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

The harvest often comes later than we expect. But it comes.

The Finish Line

At the end of his life, the apostle Paul reflected on his journey with remarkable clarity:

2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Paul did not judge his life based on comfort or recognition. Instead, he measured it by faithfulness to the calling God had given him.

That is the true measure of a life well-lived.

Not wealth, titles, or public recognition, but faithfulness.

A clear identity in Christ.

The courage to seize opportunities when God opens doors. And the perseverance to continue walking that path, year after year. Lives built on those three marks rarely make headlines.

But in eternity, they will be remembered.

And when the race is finished, the faithful servant hears the words that matter most:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Posted on

Part Two: Seize Opportunities

seize opportunitiesWe often overlook how important it is to seize opportunities when they arise. Sometimes we assume that people who push through life’s hardships are underestimating their situation. It’s not that they are unaware of the difficulty; they refuse to let the difficulty define what they can achieve.

In psychology and behavioral science, researchers examine the value-action gap (or intention-action gap). Many people plan to do something meaningful—start a project, pursue an idea, help someone in need—but far fewer actually follow through. Why does this occur?

Hurdles to Achievement

Several barriers stand in the way.

Ambiguity happens when an idea isn’t fully developed to move forward. You might know your final goal, but haven’t figured out how to start yet. Uncertainty leads to hesitation.

Loss aversion is another challenge. When people fear losing what they already possess, they hold onto the familiar. The risk of moving forward seems larger than the chance of success.

Perfectionism sets another trap. The urge to understand everything before starting often leads to analysis paralysis. Instead of making progress imperfectly, we stay safely still.

A fourth obstacle is the absence of immediate reward. When results aren’t visible quickly, people start to doubt if their effort will make a difference.

Finally, the lack of accountability causes intentions to fade away quietly. When ideas stay private, no one expects results, making it easier to give up on them.

Overcoming these obstacles matters for two important reasons.

First, our lives serve as an example to others. Scripture teaches that if we are to influence others for Christ, we must live above reproach. Faithfulness in small things shows that we are trustworthy stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

Second, someone’s eternal life might depend on our obedience. Opportunities to act are often chances to serve God’s purpose in someone else’s life.

Endurance Under Pressure

The world will constantly push against God’s impulses in your life.

Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object at rest tends to stay at rest. In many ways, human behavior follows the same principle. Comfort prefers stillness. Faith requires movement.

To fulfill what God has planned for us, we must overcome the inertia around us.

There will always be voices discouraging you. Some will question your judgment. Others will suggest you lack the resources, time, or ability to succeed. Some will even tell you that trying and failing would be worse than not trying at all.

But someone’s soul might rely on your action.

You are surrounded by people who need help. Most of what they need can’t be fixed with money or stuff. What they often need most is time, attention, and real care. Many aren’t looking for quick fixes; they want to be seen and heard. They need to know their lives matter.

The Hard Part

That’s the hardest part.

Entering someone else’s chaotic life demands patience and endurance. It is much easier to give someone something and walk away than it is to stay and walk with them through their struggle.

Listening without rushing to offer solutions takes discipline. True compassion requires being present. It involves sitting quietly while someone shares pain, confusion, or fear.

That type of investment requires time, emotional effort, and persistence.

But that is precisely how Christ loved others.

Jesus rarely hurried past those in need. He paused for the blind, the broken, the rejected, and the forgotten. He noticed individuals whom others overlooked, and He offered them something more valuable than quick answers—His presence.

Opportunities to help others often seem small at first. A simple conversation. A kind word. A willingness to listen when someone is hurting.

Yet these moments are rarely insignificant in God’s hands.

When we follow the impulses God puts in our hearts, we become vessels of His grace. What starts as a small act of obedience can spread outward in ways we might never fully understand.

The tragedy isn’t that opportunities are scarce.

The tragedy is how frequently we hesitate when they show up.

God puts people in our path every day. Some need encouragement. Others need wisdom. Some …..need someone who cares.

Opportunities pass fast. Once they move on, they might never come back the same way.

So when God prompts you to act—speak the word, make the call, offer help, or give your time.

Seize the opportunity.

Someone might be waiting for the courage God has given you.

Romans 10:14, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”

Posted on

A Life Well-Lived

A Life Well LivedIn my three-quarters of a century, I have noticed three signs of a life well-lived. The first is a strong sense of identity, the second is the resolve to keep moving forward even when the road ahead is unclear, and the third is finishing faithfully. I will cover the three in a three part post. This is part one.

Before we talk about these two qualities, however, we need to clarify what we mean by success.

SUCCESS

Francis Chan once wrote:

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” — Francis Chan, Crazy Love

That statement immediately exposes the real problem. Success is not only about achieving goals; it is about achieving the right goals.

The dictionary defines success as “the achieving of the results wanted or hoped for.” But that definition raises an important question: wanted by whom, and hoped for according to what standard?

Our culture judges success by visible things — titles, income, recognition, and influence. These markers are simple to count and compare. But they are not reliable signs of a life well lived. Many people achieve them and still feel an uneasy restlessness. Applause quickly fades when it is disconnected from purpose.

True success is more subtle and lasting. It arises from alignment — the confidence that your life is heading in the direction God intended when He created you.

Success is not about becoming impressive; it is about becoming faithful.

Throughout Scripture, God never rewards people for having the most. He rewards them for being faithful with what was entrusted to them. That distinction changes how we evaluate our lives.

Identity and Purpose

Jim Collins famously wrote:

“Good is the enemy of great.” — Jim Collins, Good to Great

In business, greatness often comes from disciplined focus. In life, greatness comes from disciplined alignment with the One who created you.

A person who lives well eventually understands a simple truth: before you discover what you are called to do, you must understand who you were created to be.

The Bible consistently reminds us that humans are not accidents. We are intentionally created by God, formed for purposes beyond our personal ambitions.

Psalm 139:14,“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Isaiah describes the relationship this way:

Isaiah 64:8, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

Paul reinforces the same idea in Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Even the prophet Jeremiah was reminded that God’s purposes precede our awareness of them:

Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.”

Uniqueness

No two people are created the same, and no two lives are meant to follow the same path. When we measure ourselves against others to determine who we should become, we abandon the uniqueness of God’s design. You cannot become someone else, and they cannot become you.

Discovering God’s purpose for your life rarely happens in a dramatic moment. More often, it unfolds gradually through obedience in small things. As faithfulness accumulates, clarity grows.

When purpose and identity align with God’s design, something shifts. Life becomes focused. Energy previously used for comparison or doubt is now directed toward faithful action.

Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the talents. The servants were given different amounts, but the reward was not based on how much they received. The servant with two talents received the same praise as the servant with five. The difference was not the size of their resources but how faithfully they managed what they had.

The Lesson is Simple and Profound.

God does not judge our lives by comparing them with others. Instead, He evaluates them based on our faithfulness to what He has entrusted to us.

Until your life begins to align with God’s purpose, you may achieve many things that the world considers success. However, those accomplishments will never fully satisfy you. Titles, possessions, and recognition can’t replace the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you are living the life you were meant to live.

True success isn’t about being admired.

It is found in hearing the words every faithful servant longs to hear.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Posted on

Time is a Thief

,time is a thiefMy daughter, an incredible human being who has had an indelible impact on thousands, mentioned the other day that time is a thief. She was talking about my granddaughter’s upcoming high school graduation. She was reflecting on how quickly time had passed from her birth to her graduation. With that brief statement, ‘time is a thief,’ she captured something essential about the human condition.

“The best use of life is love, the best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now. ” – Rick Warren

Time acts like a thief. When those meaningful memories arrive—the ones that truly matter—time keeps moving forward. It takes those moments away and replaces them with new ones that rarely feel as significant. The rhythm doesn’t pause to recognize the importance of the moment; to it, they are all the same.

No moment has no soul or heart. It treats each moment with equal indifference, never looking back to reflect or add context to the present. Moments simply moves forward relentlessly.

James 4:14, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

Why Time?

What is the reason for the existence of time? Aristotle states that time is the measure of change. Einstein’s theory of relativity claims that time allows events to occur in sequence. In physics, the focus is on the arrow of time, with entropy providing its direction. Without this measurement, the universe could not begin, end, or change. Time is what makes history possible.

We exist within an unending rhythm of time. This moment, right now, will never happen again. Anything happening now cannot be duplicated because it will never exist again. Why do we assume that Heaven is beyond time? Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. There is no beginning, no end, and no change. In heaven, moments don’t matter. But we are not there yet, so time still matters to us.

Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

The Call

Psalm 90:10,12, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures… yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away…Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

We often take time for granted. We don’t fully grasp the moment until it becomes history, and then we cherish it. By the time we realize its worth, it’s already gone. We have to recreate the experience. When we grow old, those precious moments are all we have left. We remember them, replaying them over and over in our minds. We share them with others who have experienced the same thing.

Shared experiences validate our existence. When others remember the same moment we do, it reassures us that our lives truly intersected in time.

How to Capture Each Moment

Live each moment as if it were your last. Every moment is unique and should be treasured. The clock keeps ticking, and time keeps moving forward. We will never relive this moment in our lifetime. So, recognize its significance. Every breath, heartbeat, act, thought, and word is unique in time.

Take each moment to build meaningful relationships. Be present when engaging with others. Recognize that these moments can’t be repeated. Regret is like the echo of a bell that has already rung. Once the sound leaves the bell, it cannot be called back.

The wise use of time is not the building of castles that will someday be dismantled. It is the planting of seeds whose shade we may never sit under.

Posted on

Logos Hope, the true hope.

Logos Hope 2026 BermudaLogos Hope, the true hope. I just spent a week in an environment that should be impossible. Let me paint a picture. You are the head of a family of five, three children ages 18, 19, and 20. You tell the first child, you are responsible for kitchen. Buy all the food, cook all the meals, wash the dishes and mop the floor. The second child you instruct that they are responsible for the household. They clean, sweep, do laundry, and mend broken things. The third child is responsible for all things dealing with transportation, if anyone wants to go anywhere, at any time, you take them. And, this assignment lasts two years. You work five days, take one day to help your neighbors, and then you get one day of rest.

HOW LONG WOULD THIS LAST?

On Logos Hope, over twenty years. There are no passengers, only crew. They maintain everything from the engine room, galley, cabins, and all decks. They work five days, have one community day, and one day off a week. Sounds like a slave gallon of ancient Rome.

Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how we spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

It’s not. It is the most amazing experience I have ever witnessed. 350 Christian adolescents from 60 different countries working together to not only keep this floating city running, but serving every community they interact with in incredible, meaningful ways. They accomplish this with extreme harmony. There will always be good days and bad days in anyone’s life, but this crew bands together in every situation to help and support each other.

STORIES

Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill can not be hidden.”

The stories are as amazing as the people themselves. A young lady from Russia had a recurring dream for several year about being on a white boat. One day someone told her about Operation Mobilization, a Christian based non- profit. She went to their website to scroll through the information. There, in full color, was her white boat. She tried to dismiss it, but the connection was too strong. Filling out the application she thought nothing would come of it. She is now 30 years old and has been volunteering on Logos Hope for five years.

Roman’s 12:4-4, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, each member belongs to all the others”

A teenage from Moldavia had just graduated from high school with no plans, and no direction. Her plan, get a job, and then exist like everyone else. She heard of Logos. It was something outside of her comfort zone. Her church encouraged her to apply. At 18 years old she is happily part of the crew. She says her life will never be the same. It now has purpose and meaning. She can not go back to being who she was.

I can tell you stories from Kyrgyzstan, Zambia, Argentina, Singapore, Malaysia, United States and many more. They are all the same. Decision to chase the uncertain that dramatically changed lives.

COMMUNITY DAYS

What are community days? Every crew member must sign up for a community day each week. A community day could be a visit to the local prison, it could be handing out fliers that describe the weekly events held on or around Logos. These events are seminars, bible studies, entertainment, painting local schools, ship tours, performing in plays. Any number of things that have been scheduled by advance teams working with the local community.

1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.“

Logos stays in each port about two weeks. It has the largest floating book store in the world, with over 5,000 titles. It has a doctor, a dentist and teachers for the volunteer’s children. At each stop crew members dramatically impact the community receiving them.

If you want an experience that will change you forever, check out Logos Hope on the Operation Mobilization website. Commitments are for three month, six months, one year, and two years. They also schedule one week “vision trips” for groups interested in knowing more.

2 Corinthians 5:20, “ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God we are making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God.”

Posted on

When Hope and Depression Share the Same Heart

depression and faithWhen hope and depression share the same heart, Christ becomes essential. While I was in Kyrgyzstan, I had a conversation that stayed with me. A woman shared that her mother — a trained psychologist — is battling depression. What makes her situation more complicated is not just the illness itself but also the theology surrounding it. Some in their Christian community believe that a Christian should not experience depression. The reasoning seems straightforward:

Christ is our hope. If hope exists, depression should not be present. It sounds faithful, but it is not entirely biblical.

“I find myself frequently depressed—perhaps more so than any other person here. And I find no better cure for that depression than to trust in the Lord with all my heart and seek to realize afresh the power of the peace-speaking blood of Jesus.” – Charles Spurgeon

Speaking Thoughtfully About Depression

Before referencing Scripture, we need to define terms precisely.

There is a difference between everyday sadness and clinical depression. Clinical depression involves a persistent low mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, and physical exhaustion that can last for weeks or longer. It is widely recognized in medicine and psychology as a real health condition that impacts both emotional and physical well-being.

This isn’t about reducing the soul to chemistry; it’s about recognizing that we are embodied beings. Spiritual faith doesn’t dismiss physical processes. The Bible was written in a pre-modern medical context, yet it often speaks openly about deep emotional pain.

Scripture Does Not Hide Despair

The book of Lamentations clearly shows that sorrow has a place in faith. The author describes suffering, bitterness, and a soul that is “downcast” (Lamentations 3:20). These words remain in Scripture — they are not removed.

Yet in the same chapter, we read:

Lamentations 3:21, “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope…”

Notice what happens. The despair is real. It is voiced. It is not denied. Hope emerges not by pretending sorrow doesn’t exist, but by remembering who God is in the midst of it.

Hope and lament coexist.

Elijah and the Collapse After Victory

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah has a major spiritual victory when fire comes down from heaven. But soon after, he flees into the wilderness and prays for death.

“I have had enough, Lord… Take my life.”

God does not accuse him of weak faith. He gives him sleep, provides food, and restores his strength before speaking to him softly.

Scripture demonstrates that there is no conflict between spiritual devotion and emotional exhaustion. A prophet can love God deeply and still go through despair.

The Psalms and Honest Faith

Almost one-third of the Psalms are laments.

“How long, O Lord?”
“My tears have been my food day and night.”
“Darkness is my closest friend.” (Psalm 88)

Psalm 88 ends without resolution. There is no triumphant closing line. Yet, it remains Scripture.

The Bible does not sanitize suffering. It elevates it.

Even Jesus said in Gethsemane, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38). Sorrow is not evidence of spiritual failure.

The Danger of Simplistic Theology

Our darkness does not threaten Christ. He encounters us in it — and sometimes the most faithful thing a believer can do is cling to Him while the night still lingers.

When we tell a suffering believer that their depression reflects a lack of faith, we risk increasing their shame, which is already substantial. We also risk alienating them from the community that is intended to share their burdens. Furthermore, we risk misrepresenting Scripture.

Christian hope isn’t emotional immunity; it’s an anchor (Hebrews 6:19). Anchors aren’t needed in calm seas but are crucial during storms.

Depression, in various forms, affects many of us throughout our lives—through grief, prolonged stress, illness, or loss. That reality does not threaten Christianity. In fact, the Bible’s honesty about despair is one of its strongest points. It presents us with faithful people who struggle with darkness but still trust God.

Faith doesn’t lessen our humanity; it shows us how to steer through it.

A Message to the daughter — and to the Church

To the daughter who loves her mother: your mother’s struggles are not signs of spiritual failure. They show that she is human. The fact that she understands the mind does not protect her from suffering. Knowledge does not make her immune.

To the church: the safest place in the world for someone battling depression should be the body of Christ, not a courtroom or a theological debate. It should serve as a refuge.

Hope doesn’t depend on the absence of sorrow; it relies on God’s presence within it. The author of Lamentations acknowledged the darkness and remembered the Lord through it. Maybe that is the more faithful approach.

Hope isn’t the denial of sorrow; it’s a choice to trust that God stays present even when the soul feels downcast.

Posted on

God Does Not Waste Pain

Pain with PurposeGod does not waste pain, or why do good people suffer? This isn’t a question born out of curiosity. It’s asked from hospital rooms, gravesides, broken homes, and silent prayers that seem unanswered. It’s not philosophical; it’s personal.

We question it when life no longer follows our expectations, when effort no longer shields us, when obedience no longer keeps us safe, and when goodness no longer guarantees security.

We consider something bad because it goes against our expectations of fairness. It challenges our belief that virtue should be rewarded with peace. But scripture never guaranteed protection from suffering. It assured us of God’s presence.

Matthew 5:45, “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Rain doesn’t discriminate. Pain doesn’t check résumés. Suffering isn’t a judgment of character.

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.” – C.S. Lewis.

Not because He enjoys our pain, but because pain is one of the few things powerful enough to break our illusion of control.

Called to Light

We are called to be light in a dark world. But light only becomes visible when darkness exists. If our lives were free of conflict, loss, or fear, our faith would be purely theoretical—polished and unrelatable.

No one looks to someone who has never suffered and asks, “How did you survive?” The credibility of hope is built in hardship. We become believable not because we avoided darkness, but because God met us there.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4, “Praise be to the God… who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.”

Our wounds are not disqualifications; they serve as credentials.

Without challenges to face, we can’t demonstrate God’s power. You don’t grow strong by just sitting in a gym. You grow strong by pushing back against what resists you.

Strength isn’t given; it’s earned.

So, when we pray for strength and face difficulties, it doesn’t mean we are being ignored. We are being trained. When we pray for wisdom and encounter problems, it’s not punishment; it’s refinement. God is not creating a life of ease. He is shaping a soul that can endure.

James 1:2–4, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… because the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Pain Teaches

Sometimes suffering is straightforward; sometimes it teaches us.

We all make poor choices. A world without consequences would lack growth. If fire didn’t burn, we wouldn’t learn where danger exists. God’s commands aren’t fences to restrict us; they’re guardrails to keep us alive.

Ecclesiastes 7:20, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”

Correction is not cruelty. It is mercy with sharp edges.

Affects of a Broken World

And sometimes, suffering isn’t caused by our actions at all. It happens because we live in a broken world.

We are not isolated beings. We belong to a fallen creation where sin spreads outward. People hurt because they hurt themselves. Systems fail because they are built by broken hands. Even nature groans beneath the weight of what has been lost.

Jesus did not stand apart from this reality. He entered it, endured it, and took it in.

John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Not to escape it, but to overcome it.

The Decision Point

Every hardship presents a decision point. Will this moment define us or refine us? Through our decision, will we become bitter or useful? Will we close ourselves off or become a refuge for others?

1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to humanity… God is faithful.”

God doesn’t promise that we will always feel capable. He guarantees that we will never be abandoned.

Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”

Not if. When.

God does not waste pain. He repurposes it, transforming scars into testimony. He changes suffering into authority and brokenness into compassion.

Bad things don’t happen because God is absent; they occur where His presence becomes undeniable.

Purpose Driven Life Proudly powered by WordPress