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The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 22

Having the Mind of Christ

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

– Philippians 2:5

My life from a child has been one in which I experienced many traumas that contributed to my suffering with depression and anxiety. Therefore, my perception of me was that I was worthless and I deserved all the bad things that happened to me because they were all my fault. Hence, the negative emotions of self-blame, guilt and shame. I was so ashamed of my life that I held on secretly to my experiences for many years. I couldn’t let anyone know what I had experienced, not only because of the shame but also because I was afraid that I would be judged and ostracized. I couldn’t bear the thought of rejection. Hence another reason for isolation.

I thought that I was just being “humble” but that was a lie straight from the pit of hell. Quite the contrary that was an attitude of pride. I did not realize this until my adopted mother told me, “Joanne you have nothing to be ashamed of; shame comes from pride, and pride is not of God.” Which is so true. Those negative emotions invaded my mind and prevented me from seeing the Joanne whom God created with gifts and talents for a purpose. My only redress was to let them go, give them up, lose the shame, guilt, self-blame, anger, etc. and function in the mind of Christ with true humility.   

Paul admonished in Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Another rendition expresses it this way, “Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus.”

What kind of mind did Christ possess? Christ had a humble attitude. In the verse following Philippians 2:5 that says, “ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” Paul mentioned two facts about Christ which I believe is important for us to understand the mind of Christ, for these proofs tell us that He exhibited the highest level of humility there is. 1) Christ was God – He had all the attributes of God, and 2) Even though He was God He did not consider it rubbery to be equal with God. In other words, He did not consider His being equal with God as something to be snatched, grasped or held. Therefore, instead of clinging on to His position of equality with God, in humility He became a servant and was obedient even unto death.

I believe that because Christ was also God He knew His Father’s plan to redeem mankind back to Himself and He was willing to give up all the glory of being God for His Father’s plan to be accomplished through Him.

Friends, God has a plan for your life and it does not include fear, anxiety and depression. As a matter of fact, Jeremiah 29:11 expresses your Heavenly Father’s plan for you. It says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Another translations reads, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Furthermore, you have a purpose to fulfill in this world. Do you know what your purpose in life is? What is the will of God for your life? If you don’t know the answers to these questions then seek God concerning your purpose or His will for your life. He will show it to you.

God’s plan and purpose for your life will come to fruition. There is no question about it because the promises of God are yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). However, you need to partner with God by having the mind of Christ. The same humble attitude and purpose of the Father for His will to be done in your life. Therefore, having the mind of Christ is being a servant in humility to demonstrate God’s love to humanity!

In order for you to do so, you need to let go of the negative and distressing emotions such as shame and guilt that are caused by depression, anxiety and fear that have invaded your mind and clouded your vision so that you are deceived into believing that that’s just who you are. That’s not just who you are! You are a child of God and you have the mind of Christ!

Shalom!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father I honour and glorify You. Thank You for sending Your only Son Jesus into the world as the greatest example of humility and demonstration of Your love for humanity. Today, I declare that I have the mind of Christ therefore, in humility and obedience I will be all that God has called me to be in the earth. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name. Amen!