Broken but Priceless Ministries
Follow Us:
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Broken but Priceless Ministries
    • Erin Elizabeth Austin
    • Josie Siler
    • Kathy Sebright
  • BLOG
    • Blog
    • Answers for Everyday Life
  • Magazine
    • The Magazine
    • Resources
  • Prayer
    • Request Prayer
    • Become a Prayer Partner
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Erin!
    • Public Speaking

What's So Amazing About Grace?

8/15/2014

Comments

 
By Erin Elizabeth Austin

Sadness. Despair. Depression. Suicide. Our world lost a comedic legend this week to suicide, and with his death, many questions have been stirred up about depression, mental illness, and suicide. Many have wondered how someone so funny could struggle with depression and commit suicide, and as always, there have been those who claim a person who’s depressed is simply weak. Yet over the years, I’ve learned that even the strongest of Christians are not immune to despair and thoughts of suicide.

I used to think a Christian dealing with depression was an isolated event, like an eclipse, but it’s not true. The fact is more people than not have dealt with depression at least once in their lives. According to the CDC, one out six Americans has a mental illness, which includes depression. So why aren’t we talking about this? Better yet, why aren’t Christians talking about this?

I was only twenty-one-years old when I realized I needed help. I was driving down the interstate when the thought crossed my mind that I could have an “accident” while driving and kill myself and no one would ever know. Thankfully, I made it back to my college campus safe and sound, where I promptly signed-up for counseling. Of all the decisions I’ve ever made in my life, that was the smartest thing I’ve ever done, next to asking Jesus to save me from my sins.

Counseling became the place where I realized I was drowning in my emotions, where I was finally able to admit I hated my life. For the first time, I could say I hated being sick with multiple illnesses, having numerous doctors’ numbers programmed into my phone, taking a ridiculous amount of medicine, and staying home while all my friends went out and had a good time. And it became the place where I finally understood that Jesus cared about more than my sins and many failures. He cared about ME.
Picture
Grace was just another word in my Christian vocabulary. Until that day, I had no clue what it meant. It was simply a word in a famous hymn. Yet grace is so much more! It means unmerited favor, approval, blessing, credit, and my personal favorite – regeneration. God’s grace is what gives us the ability to rise above the difficulties, suffering, and pain of this life. It comes from His love and floods our lives with His power. Grace alone can reach into the muck and mire, pull us to safety, and take something deplorable and turn it into a blessing. It helps people break free from wrestling with their inner demons of fear, worry, and despair and enables them to walk in victory.  Grace truly is amazing. Without it, we are nothing.
Picture
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t ever struggle with feelings of sadness or discouragement, but with grace, you know where to go when you are faced with despair. And for those dealing with depression or a mental illness, it doesn’t mean you don’t need treatment. Personally, I think God was cheering me on when I signed-up for counseling. Sometimes, it’s necessary, and it doesn’t make you less of a person for needing it. So don’t be ashamed to ask for help. God’s not ashamed of you!

Whatever you’re going through today, know that God doesn’t judge you for being sad or discouraged. Rather than hide from Him, run to Him with your feelings and overwhelming emotions. He’s the only One who can turn your pain and despair into hope and joy.

Thriving is possible for everyone, but you have to be honest with yourself and God. Let His grace take the broken pieces of your life and turn it into a priceless treasure. If you do, you will never be the same, and that is amazing!

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! For He has shattered gates of bronze and cut bars of iron asunder.” ~ Psalm 107:13-16

*If you missed the last devotion in the series “Learning to Thrive,” use this link http://www.erinelizabethaustin.com/blog/a-mighty-roar  

© August 13, 2014
Comments
    Email Subscription

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.


    Picture
    Erin Elizabeth Austin

    Author

    Erin Elizabeth Austin is a writer and speaker with a passion to help people find healing in the midst of their brokenness.

    If you want to contact Erin directly please click here.


    Picture
    Josie Siler

    Contributor

    Josie Siler, like millions of others, is living with chronic illness. She is eager to share the hope and joy that she has found in Christ, whether that is in a church, at a women’s retreat, over a cup of hot cocoa, or through a blog post.
    Click here to email Josie.


    Archives

    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    Categories

    All
    A New Perspective
    Angry At God
    Believing God
    Discovering Joy
    Embracing Who God Created You To Be
    Fighting Feelings Of Low Self Worth
    Fighting Feelings Of Low Self-Worth
    Learning To Thrive
    Names Of God
    Overcoming Bitterness
    Prayer
    Questioning God's Goodness
    Questioning God's Love
    Rising Above The Pain
    The Armor Of God
    The Names Of God
    When Hope Is Lost


    RSS Feed

Website by Business Notes LLC --- Photo Credits: Josie Siler