23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” ~ Mark 9:23
I remember reading that a pastor had committed suicide a year or so ago. When I heard that, I went to his social media page to see more about him. He had been struggling with depression for a while. Some of his posts and comments were things like, “Jesus doesn’t save you from depression. That’s not how that works.”
He would become annoyed or even angry at comments suggesting otherwise. Thinking about it, it reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite series, The Hunger Games.
Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous.
These were the words of the main antagonist explaining the purpose of having 24 kids kill each other in an arena and broadcast it live on national TV for all to see. Snow, the main antagonist of the series, is much like the enemy here. He understands that a little hope is enough to control, but too much hope will lead to a rebellion. What do I mean?
That pastor had hope that Jesus could save him. That he had eternal life in Christ. That God could forgive him of his sins and redeem him, but not that He could give him peace. Not that he could give him a renewed mind. Not that God would be able to give him the strength to tear down all the tormenting thoughts that had a hold of him. He had hope, but not enough to change him. Not enough to heal him. Not enough to redeem him.
This is how the enemy wants all of us. Just enough hope that we remain compliant with the enemy’s plans. Just enough that we don’t fight back. Our God can save us and wash us clean. There is nothing too great, too difficult, too much for Him to help us with.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Have Much Hope.