More than a Conqueror~ By Nicole Tabert

When Ronda asked me to share my testimony, I thought, ‘Sure, no problem.  I already have it written down and I can just email it right over.’  If you want to read it, you can follow this link to: My Testimony.  Well, unfortunately for my to-do list today, I feel compelled to share another side of my walk with God.  I pray that the reason God put this on my heart is because someone needs to hear this message and that it will sustain the weary, (Isaiah 50:4).

I have struggled with depression and anxiety for 19, yes 19, years.  It has been brought on by childhood experiences, relationships, trials and hardships, chronic illness, etc.  Over the past 10 years, I have found faith in Christ and am freed from being a slave to mental illness. I have been to counseling and worked through many issues, I have a better understanding of myself and how to identify and avoid my triggers, and overall I am actually happy and find a lot of joy in life.  But I still struggle and I think that I will always battle depression and anxiety in some way.  However, I believe God can use it for His glory.

There is a lot to be sad about in our fallen world and God has made some people more sensitive to suffering and more empathetic to help those in need.  God has used me to help those in pain, to have a unique perspective when sharing the gospel, and to be a voice for those suffering with mental illness so that others might understand it and be empathetic.  God can heal you and use your story for His glory too.

There is an enemy.  And the enemy wants us to live in our sadness, to focus on the bottomless pit of despair, and he wants to render us useless.  Satan is the father of lies, (John 8:44), and he is whispering temptations to not trust God and to doubt His saving grace and redeeming power.  I tend to wallow in my sadness and believe the lie that I’ll never get better.  I get mad that I struggle so much with fear that I have panic attacks that threaten to overtake me.   I also have had chronic pain issues since 2001 that often make it hard to get out of bed.  So that doesn’t help matters.  There is a daily struggle to take my thoughts captive and focus on whatever is pure, whatever is true, and whatever is praiseworthy, (Philippians 4:8).  But God has defeated Satan and it is on us to take on the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13) that we might stand firm against the enemy’s attacks (Galatians 5:1).  If I am not reading my Bible and praying everyday, then my thoughts take a quick nosedive into despair and hopelessness.  God offers me my daily bread, (Proverbs 30:8), and in obedience I need to accept it and depend on His provision alone.  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6.

Jesus wasn’t a Prozac happy hippy going around sharing pithy messages that He couldn’t relate to.  He was tempted in every way yet did not sin (Hebrews 4:15), He wept for His children, (John 11:33-35), He comforted and healed the sick, and He suffered persecution, torture, and death for our sake.  I am comforted by the fact that Jesus can relate to my suffering.  He hears my cry and He comforts me through the Holy Spirit and His word.  I have an unshakable joy that comes from knowing that He cares and provides for me.  I have been blessed beyond measure with a wonderful family...

Good friends, food/shelter, etc.   And I look forward to the day when God’s creation is restored.  “{When Christ returns} He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Many people go to God thinking that he will instantly fix all of their problems and that they will never suffer again.  But when that doesn’t happen, they feel like God either doesn’t care about them or that He can’t fix them and is unworthy to be worshipped.  But God never promises that you won’t suffer or that everything will be perfect after you become a Christian.  In fact, He promises that you will suffer in this life but that He will never leave you nor forsake you, (Josh 1:5).  Will you put your faith in God even if you still suffer, even if your circumstances don’t improve, and eve if it’s still a struggle to get through the day?  God will reward your faithfulness and give you peace that surpasses all understanding, (Philippians 4:7).

God doesn't expect us to be strong but to draw upon His strength.

Thanks Ronda for using your blog to spread these messages of hope.  We're all blessed for knowing you.

Nicole Tabert, Washington State

Note from Ronda~

Wow, Nicole...Thank you so much for sharing what God put on your heart.  I whole heartedly agree that there will be someone reading this that the Holy Spirit is ministering to right now and this will bless them.  You have a beautiful little Family, and I adore the woman of God that you are.  Thank you so much for all the awesome scriptures, they blessed me so much this morning, and I am going to have energy all day because the Word makes me full!

xoxo

Ronda