This is the ninth in a nine part series entitled “Overcoming Depression-Anxiety: A Responsibility Paradigm.” For the various counseling options available from this material visit www.summitrdu.com/counseling.

The complementing studies are also available in a video and podcast formats at the links below:

  • “Overcoming Depression-Anxiety: A Responsibility Paradigm”// video and podcast
  • “Overcoming Depression-Anxiety: A Suffering Paradigm” // video and podcast
  • “Towards a Christian Perspective of Mental Illness” // video and podcast

“From Removing Sin’s Remnant to Pursuing God’s Purpose”
STEWARD all of my life for God’s glory.

“God has shown me great grace; grace greater than my depression-anxiety. I am learning what it means to live out of my new identity in Christ. That has pushed me to ask the question, ‘How can I be a conduit of God’s grace to others?’ As I have sought God, examined my life, and consulted with fellow believers, I believe this [describe] is what it looks like for me to steward God’s grace now.”

Memorize: II Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV), “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” As you memorize this passage reflect upon these key points:

  • “Remind you” – We can take comfort that the Bible often has to remind its heroes not to fear or despair.
  • “Fan into flames” – The main focus of this passage is not against fear, but towards fulfilling God’s purpose.
  • “Not of fear” – Our main method of preventing anxiety-depression recurrence is living with purpose.
  • “Power and love” – These attributes are meant to serve and bless others.
  • “Self-control” – This attribute that prevents our sin and our service from becoming disproportionally unhealthy.

Teaching Notes

To “steward” something means to use it for God’s intended purpose. It is important to remember that what is being stewarded is your life, not merely the experience of overcoming depression-anxiety. To think otherwise would be to define yourself by your struggle again.

Sin is a parasite that lives off of stolen resources (time, energy, love, etc…) that were intended for other purposes. As we rid ourselves of this vile intruder, those resources upon which sin once indulged become available for God’s design and our true enjoyment. Ultimately, stewardship is the pinnacle where purpose, worship, and joy meet.

“We seldom realize fully that we’re sent to fulfill God-given task. We act as if we were simply dropped down in creation and have to decide to entertain ourselves until we die. But we were sent into the world by God, just as Jesus was. Once we start living our lives with that conviction, we will soon know what we were sent to do (p. 177).” Henri Nouwen as quoted be Leslie Vernick in Lord, I Just Want to Be Happy

“Know the kingdom and seek. That is the alternative to worry (p. 38).” Ed Welch in When I Am Afraid

Other podcasts on emotions are available at:

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