For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

We are becoming more open about the depression and anxiety that people of all walks of life and age experience.  Sometimes these feelings are situational and sometimes they are the result of a physical, chemical imbalance.

But anxiety and depression can also come from an internal voice telling you that you can never be good enough. If you’re constantly thinking that you’re fundamentally and hopelessly flawed, that’s depressing!  Some of us believe that the Bible pretty much affirms these ideas and that’s why we need Jesus! The Bible does acknowledge and address the depravity of human nature.  But the emphasis of the gospel has always been the goodness of God rather than the sin of humans. Jesus died not because you are so terrible, but because you are so loved (John 3:16-17).

Our sin separates us from relationship with God, but God’s love and plan for us addresses this reality.  Our worth and our acceptance by God isn’t dependent on our good behavior, but on our willingness to admit our sin and ask for forgiveness in Jesus’ name.  It’s a graciously and freely offered gift. You are never beyond the grace of God.

Each of us was formed in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27). So your first identity is as an image bearer of God. God’s plan has always been to call us His beloved to return to Him, not to create “best behaved” people.  Feeling anxious or depressed over your failures?  Run to Jesus for comfort and grace!

Resource reading: John 3:16-21