•Was there a battle with fear that stalked our lives?
•Did the spirit of negativism and criticism dominate us prior to that moment of commitment to Him?
•Was there an impulsive and impatient attitude we lived with, wanting everything at the moment we wanted it?
•Were we very hard on ourselves and riddled with guilt if faced with failure?
•Was there a moodiness to our disposition?
Let's see what others had to say about there own experiences:
William Cowper wrote - "Oh For a Closer Walk With God:"
Where is that blessedness I knew
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
Of Jesus and His Word?
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
Return, O holy Dove! return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn,
And drove Thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
What e'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
Soren Kierkegaard – “In addition to my other numerous acquaintances, I have one more intimate confidant.... My depression is the most faithful mistress I have known”
Elijah - Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. Just like the rest of us, he experienced the problem of depression--that mental and emotional condition marked by feelings of discouragement, worthlessness, dejection, guilt, apprehension, and failure. Life is much like a roller coaster--full of ups and downs.
Peter's roller coaster ride -
•walks on water
•makes a beautiful confession of faith that Jesus is, “the Christ, the Son of the living God
•crashing down as he tries to dissuade Jesus from dying
•the mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, James, and John
•falls asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane
•cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant
•first to deny his Lord, yet first to run to the tomb when the women came back with the message of Jesus’ resurrection
I think you get the picture...
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