“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Dear Friend,

Have you ever struggled to stay consistent in your life?

I know I sure have. I used to deal with a lot of ups and downs; my emotions would lead my day, and it seemed like life never went my way. I struggled with my faith because I didn’t know God personally, I didn’t understand my born-again identity in Christ, and I certainly didn’t know how to live it. My lack of understanding led to mental health issues like anxiety and depression, confusion and indecisiveness in making confident decisions in my daily life, instability in my relationships and career, and disorder in my health and mental reasoning.

As I've continued to pursue my faith and understanding of God, all of these symptoms have gotten progressively better. Praise God! I've also found that I wasn't alone in these paralyzing symptoms that kept me neutral in life.

Recent studies conducted by Barna Group, a leading Christian research organization, shows some stunning results in today's culture. According to Barna Group: 

• 34% of practicing Christians say that anxiety or depression impacts their most important relationships.

• 50% of college-aged individuals say they often experience feelings of anxiety or depression, fear, or suicidal thoughts.

• 49% of U.S. 18–35-year-olds expressed anxiety over important decisions, 39% often felt sad or depressed, and 34% felt lonely and isolated from others.

• More than half of all U.S. adults (58%) and practicing Christians (54%) say they have at least one relational or emotional / mental health issue that impacts their relationships. 

The good news: Barna's research shows that adults who have a biblical worldview are more likely to experience joy, peace, and fulfillment.

I certainly pray that these things are on the decline in our culture, and if you can relate to any of these things (or know someone who does), please know that there's an answer full of hope.

The lies of the enemy tell you that you're doing it all wrong; you're destined for failure, and will trap you in a corner of guilt, shame, and condemnation. Listening and agreeing with those thoughts will only lead you farther down the path of anxiety, fear, depression, and loneliness.

It makes me sad to think that millions of Christians today, and some people that I know, are dealing with these same things.

As I mentioned, yes, I’ve struggled with all of those things, and I’m so relieved to share with you that there’s a solution. I no longer get whiplashed by my emotions, my bad performance, or the circumstances of life.

We don’t have to go one more day feeling up and down, lost, confused, afraid, and depressed. We can live the rest of our days knowing that we are loved, that God has a plan for our life, and rest knowing that God will finish the good work He began in us.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

I’ve been reflecting a lot lately and reviewing what’s changed in my life. I have so much to be thankful for, and I have to pinch myself when I see all that God has restored and redeemed. Please take a moment and thank God with me! I pray that my testimony gives people hope; hope to keep fighting, to keep believing, and to never give up.

Looking back, I can see clearly where God has helped me…although, it wasn’t always so easy to see. In the journey, it can get pretty dark and scary.

So, what changed for me?

Well, I think a big part of it was the journey of discovering the truth about God and who I am in Christ. Understanding who I am in Christ helped me to stop viewing myself through the lens of my emotions, my choices, my past, my thoughts, or my overall performance in life.

How did I begin to understand this?

Simply by reading the Bible. This is the only thing I knew how to do!

The Bible is full of godly wisdom and direction that we can follow to see consistent, positive results in our life, day after day. Scripture shows us the truth about who God is, who we are in Christ, and the life of promises that we can partake of as His children.

As we exit 2024 and enter 2025, assure your heart that God loves you and He has good plans for your life. Make a commitment this year to seek Him with all your heart and acknowledge Him in all your ways—in the little things and the big things—in the days and years to come.

Most certainly, don’t try to figure out the Christian life alone. Invite people into your life, get involved in your local church, ask for help, and utilize wholesome resources that will take you further and deeper in your relationship with God. Surround yourself with faith-filled believers who are following Jesus in their hearts and actions, and submit yourself to godly leaders and teachers as the Lord leads you.

Together, let’s get serious about our faith, get prepared for our future, and make time for our purpose! The body of Christ needs you!

God’s good plans for you are better than you could ever imagine, but they aren’t going to come to pass automatically. We must believe in our hearts, ask Him for help in everything we do, and take a step in the right direction. God cannot take you where you aren’t willing to trust Him by faith.

This year, let's commit together to say ‘goodbye’ to the old and ‘hello’ to the new!

Say ‘goodbye’ to toxic relationships that are pulling you down, to addictions that are holding you back, and destructive behavior that’s moving your heart away from God.

Say ‘hello’ to intimacy with God and likeminded believers, to healthy habits that will lead you to health and strength, and say ‘hello’ to consistent, intentional decisions that will bring you closer to God and who you are in Christ.

I’ve tiptoed around hell and lifestyle choices that don’t align with Christ for long enough to tell you that being sold out for Jesus is the best way to live. It doesn’t mean living life perfectly and changing everything about yourself. But it does mean living every day for Jesus, seeking Him with your whole heart, and allowing Him to lead your life to victory.

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” (1 John 5:4, ESV)

When we align our believing, thinking, speaking, and acting with Christ, we experience consistent, positive fruit in every area of our life.

If there’s an area of your life that hasn’t been fully surrendered to God, let’s make a commitment together right now to give God all your heart and every area of your life back to Jesus. Surrender to Him with me now and pray this prayer, “God, please forgive me for holding onto this area of my life. I know you can do far better for me than I ever could try to do on my own. I surrender this area to you now, and ask you to help me_____. I thank you, trust you, and believe that you’re helping me see victory in this area of my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Praise the Lord!

Now, align your believing, thinking, speaking, and acting with who you are in Christ! This is a healthy, daily practice as you continue to grow in your relationship with God.

I’ve found it helpful in my growth to regularly examine my heart, my emotions, my thoughts, and my actions to see how they’re aligning with Scripture, and if God wants me to make any “tweaks.” This can be as simple as asking, “Lord, reveal to me any areas where I’m not trusting you, or where you’d like me to grow.”

Be sure to make time to be with God and the read the Word consistently so you can get quiet and hear Him speak to you. Once you feel Him prompting you, ask Him for help, and take a step in the right direction.

This simple practice will help you align your life with you are in Christ—the New You! You will flourish, grow, and see even more transformation in your life than you already are! Instead of ups and downs, you will consistently experience God’s peace and promises. Your life will lead others to experience the love, redemption, and restoration that God offers to all those who trust in Him.

Watch my Live Bible Study on this topic here! Join me for my next Live Bible Study every Tuesday at 5:30pm MT!

Finally, I'd love to help you grow in your faith journey as much as possible. If you’d like to understand more about your faith and who you are in Christ, be sure to get my “Hello, New You”book and “Walking in the New You” Workbook where I explain all of these things in much greater detail.

Let’s end 2024 with a renewed commitment to Christ and step into 2025 stronger than ever!

We thank God for His grace which helps you and strengthens you to finish His good work in your life! We are so grateful for you and blessed to be a part of your journey!

Love,
Erin