What’s your legacy going to be?

Cityhilldxb - September 14, 2022

If we rewind a few thousand years to before the earth was formed, the first man came from dust. How was he born? Through a snap of fingers? An abracadabra? Or even a statement ‘Let there be man’ and there was man? No. What’s interesting is that everything else that God created: Sun, Moon, Night and Day, etc. was created from what seems like a distance, yet when it came to creating human beings God, for the first time, became incredibly personal with His creation. He not only created Adam but breathed his own breath into Adam’s nostrils (Genesis 2:7) giving him and the rest of creation the life we all have.

Sometimes, though, we can feel like life is lacking purpose – it can seem like ‘bearing the image of God’ and prospering the earth is daunting. Jesus understood this better than anyone, having faced unimaginable betrayal, rejection, and a horrifying humiliating death. If we understand the calling of God, and the great commission and we choose the path to follow Jesus – the Bible promises that it isn’t going to be easy. So how do we navigate this world of suffering, but leave a legacy for Christ? Let’s talk about that.

The trap of self doubt

We live in a world that champions ‘Quick Fixes’. We constantly see headlines like ‘Lose weight in 4 weeks with this method’ or ‘10 ways to save money’. It can be so easy to get sucked into worldliness, and no matter what you do, occasionally you may find yourself feeling like you’re just not doing enough. You’re not achieving your goals fast enough. You’re not healthy enough, rich enough, Christian enough even. And if we aren’t careful, that can slowly start to affect our identity and one day we may wake up and think, “Hey what am I doing with my life?”

Living a ‘purpose-filled’ ‘gospel-centered’ life may just sound like a bunch of Christian mumbo jumbo when you don’t know how to practically live it out.

It was not God’s intention for us to look down on ourselves. In fact Romans 9 vs. 20-21 says “But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?'” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?” It isn’t for us to question God, to wallow in self-doubt and insecurity – God had a specific design in mind for each and every one of his creation, and it surely wasn’t for us to buy into the lies that we are not enough.

How can we stand behind others who are suffering?

As Christians we know that the walk of faith isn’t one we should walk alone. God’s commandments are clear – that we are to share our lives with others and not be alone. So how can we identify when someone is going through mental health issues?

Irregular sleep patterns – Either oversleeping or not sleeping enough
Weight or appetite changes
Excessive habits, like excessive eating, over-exercising, drinking
Mood swings and irritability
Signs of withdrawal or quietness
Lacking a drive / ability to follow through with getting things done
Change of behaviour/feelings
Emotional outbursts

As human beings, in our limited understanding of our identity in Christ we can easily fall into the trap of self-doubt and insecurity which can lead to deeper mental health issues like anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. If we’re honest, almost all of us at one point in our lives have thought about suicide. But in doing so, we’re forgetting where we came from: nothing, but because God willed our existence into being and breathed his living breath in us, we get to experience this world. Our lives are not our own but a God-given gift. And what’s an even better gift, is the assurance that the troubles of this world are temporary because we have been given the gift of eternal life. So whats important to ask, in those moments, where suicide seems more appealing than dealing with one more moment of pain on this earth, ask yourself – is this life my own to take and what has God promised for my life? (Jeremiah 10:23)

We can rest peacefully in the knowledge and assurance that our lives and bodies do not belong only to us, and that we have a Savior directing our steps and working on our hearts. If our lives were our own, we would not stand a chance of fighting the pain in this world.

We still have a legacy to live for Christ and what could this legacy look like for you?

The Legacy of Joy in the Midst of Difficulty: This may seem like an odd commandment from James when he said “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-3). But that’s only because some of us understand ‘Joy’ to have the same meaning as ‘Happiness’ but James is clear here, he doesn’t ask us to always be happy in the midst of trials, he doesn’t ask us to experience an emotion of euphoria when suffering. Happiness is fickle – it comes and goes. But the joy that comes from knowing and experiencing the life-giving Gospel is everlasting and we should pursue the joy in God at all costs.

The Legacy of Building His Kingdom: Often in our limited understanding of God’s will for our life, we can have the tendency to zoom in to only our problems. So, understandably, when disappointment happens and a season of turbulence seems incredibly painful it can be easy to zone in to only our problems and ignore our Kingdom purpose. We are called to live the legacy of building God’s kingdom, advancing the Gospel and living as image-bearers of Christ. In the midst of our pain, our reliance on God’s healing power in our lives should increase and in our strife we should continue to advance the kingdom even during our pain and not put the work of God on pause.

Being heaven-minded: As sons and daughters of Christ, we can rest our hopes in an eternity with Christ. While the trials on this earth can surely be difficult and excruciating, we should count it as nothing when we realise that our lives on earth are temporary. “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13) This means that your mental health issues, long-standing depression and crippling fears will one day cease to exist when you stand before the living God.

As a church, our response to someone who is suffering with their mental health or suicidal thoughts is to speak life and the Gospel over and over. Sometimes encouragement and a reminder of who they are and how they were saved could go a long way. People remember those who stick with and spend time with them, so although you should encourage those around you, don’t feel the pressure of knowing the right Bible verse to say, or giving the best advice.

Finally praying with them and for them can be extremely powerful. Ask them to pray for themselves and walk with them through counselling. Sometimes when we’re on the receiving end of needing help, we may find it difficult to open up, but let’s not quiet our own struggles and suffering, just out of the fear of burdening others. In Christ, we have been given a new family – a family of believers who also go through the pressures of life, the mental health battles, and the fight for a life of holiness. Don’t keep your problems to yourself until it becomes something you can no longer handle.

Going back to the damaging ideology of ‘Quick Fixes’ some of us in our moment of pain and unbearable suffering, can be tempted to fix our problems by ending our lives. Whether the depression is clinical or situational, it can sometimes feel like an uphill mountain you’re never going to be able to climb. But the beauty and kindness of God means that you don’t have to go through it and climb that hill alone.

Let the Holy Spirit give you the strength you need and take it day-by-day, don’t look at the past or even the future, just think about the present – where you are and what is happening right now. Let tomorrow worry about itself. Your life is so precious that if it were just you standing before the cross, Jesus would still choose to die for you. That’s the most beautiful gift you have ever received and you can always rest in the promise of His sacrifice in exchange for your eternal life.

If you are struggling with your mental health, don’t suffer in silence – please reach out to someone you trust or send us a message. We are your family and will walk with you in this journey.