Swamped

Many brothers and sisters are swamped. This term tends to denote that they are overwhelmed by the tasks at work. However, I believe there is adifferent connotation beneath it. The truth is that our enemy, Satan, has many Christians caught in his swamp of despond. To borrow respectfully from John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, there is a swamp for the souls of mankind. The devil wants us to sink in the mire, muck, and mud. His objective is to get us so despondent that we cannot reach the deep calling Christ has for us.

This image of swamp is meant to represent a place in the spiritual realm. There the enemy wants us to wade fruitlessly in the mud, never meaning to grow or make it to the celestial city of Christ Jesus' Calling for our life. I know many followers who have fallen into this pool and canot seem to break free of the depression and devastation that sinks their soul into despondency. Many are like the friend of Christian who set out on the journey, but once the obstacles and the oppressive arrows of the devil come flying, he is found clinging to the crags and trying to desert the path.

We must be brave and emboldened to keep pressing forward! Like Christian we should not become bogged down in the bog and let it weigh us down like log. Instead set yourself free of the swamp through trusting in the Savior Jesus Christ! Remember that, "in all things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us!" (Romans 8:37). Do not let Satan and his swamp convince you that your are stuck or slain! Instead rise above the mud and refuse to do anything that will throw you back into the "Pool of Despond". Keep pressing forward and fight the good fight of faith! (1 Timothy 6:12).

 It is indeed a fight. Everyday the devil and his demons seek to seduce back into the Pool of Despond. There many captives, many Christians are caught in the thick mud made prisons. It is there in the murky waters of the Malevolent One, that mighty men are made into slaves. Do not participate in any sin of the flesh or bad deed that will take you to despond! The Lord can get you out, but if you linger there in pool of disbelief long enough, you may be convinced that not even Christ can rescue you! Rise above those waters and seek the Narrow Road (Matthew 7:14). There on the crimson pathway of Christ you will find freedom and fulfillment! Only Jesus Christ can set the captives free! (Luke 4:18). But if you do not call upon His Name and become content with the swamp of despond, then the darkness will be great over you. Only the individual, the sinking person in the pool can cry out to Christ Jesus and commit to never returning to despond.

Neil Anderson talks about how no one can have another person be spiritual for them or tackle dealing with their problems. Each individual must invite Jesus Christ into their lives, do the work to get well, and pray for their recovery. Anderson says "that pastors and priests have failed at this, they take on the responsibility of the person's problems, and pray for them, but do not require the person to pray and deal with their problem. And so then that person is not working on their issues and inevitably end up codependent on the pastor for their spirituality." (Discipleship Counseling).

You cannot rescue people. You can pray for them and give them the words of life. But you cannot do the work for them. You cannot pray the prayer of salvation for them, walk the Christian walk for them, or help them get out of the swamps Satan has tried to keep them in. They must do the work, and you can be supportive, but not surrogate savior! If as Neil Anderson says, "pastors understood this, they would not be overwhelmed and overstressed." The time is for people to take responsibility and ask the Redeemer Jesus Christ to partner with them to defeat their problems and escape the pool of despond!

Choose today to do the work with Christ at your side and helping heal you from within. Stop relying on others or blaming others for not helping you progress. Your progress is contingent on you alone! Even the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ is limited in how He can help you if you refuse to do the work! For our Lord and Savior is indeed omnipotent and can do all things, but He does not supersede our will and control us to be good and do the right thing. It is partnership with Christ and if you do your part, He is faithful and able to do the rest. As St. Paul said, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:12). In the temptation or trial you must resist! (James 4:7). And as you resist and do the work of prayerfully battling the Devil of Despond, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will provide the means and way of escape and victory over the swamps!