I’ve been thinking about these verses this week:
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
— 2 Cor. 5:14-15
If we’re struggling with depression, thoughts of suicide, stress, or frustration in our lives, I’m wondering if these verses are the antidote. First, if our lives belong to Jesus Christ, then we have no right to take them, because they are not ours but His. Second, if our lives belong to Him, there is no reason to feel disappointment, as our focus is to please Him and not ourselves.
This takes the pressure off of our relentless pursuit of happiness. We know He is pleased with our feeble efforts done in faith, because He has said so. And we also know that, no matter what happens to us in this world, our ultimate reward is to be with Him in heaven, which is far better.
If I’m even close to the truth on this, doesn’t it make sense to seek to live each day for Him and not for self?
