“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
In the next few weeks, I am going to go through each topic that was taken off the cross at Empowered Jesus Girl. First and foremost, I want you to remember that whatever you hung on the cross, YOU gave to Christ. That means, that the struggle you wrote down, you are no longer burdened to. Each day, I want you to wake up and remind yourself of the struggle that YOU gave to God. Don’t pick it back up or try to “fix” the struggle on your own; instead, leave it at the cross and let God lead you back into His everlasting arms.
If you were not at Empowered Jesus Girl, I want you to take time to meditate on one struggle that you are facing today. What’s holding you back from following God’s will? Is there something or someone that you are putting in front of your relationship with God? Maybe it’s anxiety? Fear? Anger? Arguing with a friend or family member? Friends that are leading you away from God? Materialism? Bitterness? Guilt? Shame? Whatever your struggle may be, give it to God. Imagine yourself nailing it to the cross and leaving it at His feet to take care of it Himself.
Believe it or not, He does not need your help. As a woman that likes to “fix” things or people myself, I find it hard to let go of things I feel like I can’t control. In all honesty, it is very hard for me to look at another person struggling and not want to “fix” them on my own terms. Over time, I have learned that I am not in control and I was never meant to “fix” anyone or anything. God is the One that is in control. When you have faith in Him, leaving your struggles at the cross, is the greatest relief you can obtain. But the hard part is, you truly have to leave it there. You can’t hold on to the tail of the struggle and continue to try to do everything on your own, you have to give it all to God and let Him do the work for you.
At the end of the night at Empowered Jesus Girl, I took down each tag from the cross and could feel the hurt, the pain, and the struggles that each of you are facing. For the one’s facing fear, I wanted to run to you and just remind you how fearless our God is.
To the one’s fighting depression, I wanted to tell you the battle is not over yet, never let the devil take away the joy God has given you.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
To the young lady that feels guilty over her sins and blames herself for situations that occurred in her family, I want you to know, it’s not your fault. It may seem like everything YOU did caused a ripple effect of bad situations, but in reality, people will fail you every day, but God never will. He is always with you.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” Psalm 118:1-18
To the one that is ashamed to say she is not on the right path and doesn’t know where she is going in her life, know that God has a plan for you. Just trust in Him and He will lead you.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
I could keep going on and on about each struggle that was left on the cross, but I’ll save those for another day. Today, I want to focus on the number one struggle that was posted on the cross, anxiety and depression.
There were young ladies 4th grade – adults that each posted their struggles on the cross that night. Out of all the 200+ ladies there, over half of them wrote “anxiety or depression” on their tag. The first one, was me.
You all know my battle with depression, and you know that it is still an off and on battle for me every day. I have good days and I have bad days, but on my worst days, I can look to God and know that He is still with me. He hears my cries when I am broken. He loves my smiles when I am joyous. He is never going to leave my side or stop fighting the battles I can’t do alone.
If you are suffering from anxiety or depression today, I want you to post scripture around your house, your room, or even just in the notes in your phone that will remind you of God’s goodness and grace. The best way to fight the devil is with the word of God. Pray in Jesus Name that the devil will stop knocking you down. The devil will attack you when you are weakest, but you are your strongest when you are in God’s word, surrounded by people that encourage you and lift you up in prayer. Don’t let the devil defeat you. Defeat him with God’s words, constant prayers and praise unto the Lord, and a never-ending love from Christ the Father.
Here are a few scriptures that you can write down, put in your phone, or post around you house as reminders God’s love. For Valentine’s Day, a lot of parents posted hearts on their kids doors each day writing down something that they loved about them. Why not take those hearts and write down things that your Father loves and does for you? Remind yourself daily of His love and you will find peace again.
May God bless you and show you His grace every day!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:6-8
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 5:13
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. …
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.