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Jessa Duggar Reveals Struggle With Spiritual Depression, Admits Doubting Her Salvation in Christ

Next, she mentioned a book by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones called ‘Spiritual Depression‘ that really helped her. She gave a brief overview of the book explaining how Martyn Llyod-Jones laid out why people might be discouraged in their walk with Christ, citing that a false view of justification may be a cause. When Jessa read this point in his book she realized that was exactly what she was struggling with. “Repentance in faith in the life of a true believer is continual and ongoing. We’re continually repenting of our sin and trusting in Christ,” she said as she explained justification and sanctification. “The main reason for (my) spiritual discouragement was I was mixing up sanctification and justification, I didn’t have gospel rest.” Jessa said that she wasn’t ‘resting’ in her justification, and after reading his book she described it as an ‘ah ha’ moment.

Thank you Christ for saving me from my sin. I’ll take it from here. Which is not at all how the Christian life works.

Making a Vow

Jessa’s third helpful point was aimed at not making unobtainable (she called them ‘youth camp’) vows. Striving for holiness (in Christ) doesn’t take vows to make this happen, that it can actually have a negative effect in our Christian walk. She quoted Ecclesiastes 5:5 and gave examples of the two things we should vow to do in our life 1) vow to follow Christ; 2) if you marry a husband and wife vowing their loyalty to one another. ‘Youth camp’ vows (commitments) such as vowing to evangelize every week, reading your Bible every day for a certain amount of time, or vowing to not commit a certain sin, which should be a believer’s desire, can lead to a failure we bring upon our selves and don’t look to Christ as we should. Jessa said, “it really released my soul, that I had placed myself under…(speaking of not making unobtainable vows) it didn’t make me less desire to be in God’s Word (it gave me more).”

Song Lyrics

Her last thing she listed was a handful of song lyrics that have helped her in hard times and her struggles with doubt.

Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor‘ by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

Christ the sure and steady Anchor In the fury of the storm When the winds of doubt blow through me And my sails have all been torn

His Mercy is More‘ by Matt Papa

What love could remember, no wrongs we have done Omniscient, all-knowing, He counts not their sum Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore Our sins they are many, His mercy is more

He Will Hold Me Fast‘ by Keith Getty

When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast; When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold through life’s fearful path; For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.

Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul‘ by Anne Steele

Dear refuge of my weary soul, On Thee, when sorrows rise On Thee, when waves of trouble roll, My fainting hope relies To Thee I tell each rising grief, For Thou alone can heal Thy Word can bring a sweet relief, For every pain I feel

Not in Me‘ by Sojourn Music

No list of sins I have not done, No list of virtues I pursue, No list of those I am not like Can earn myself a place with You. O God, be merciful to me– I am a sinner through and through! My only hope of righteousness Is not in me, but only You.

I Still Have a Long Way to Go

Jessa closed her testimony with these encouraging words:

I share my journey of faith not in saying that I have arrived, I still have a long way to go. We are in this journey until we die and our lives are over and then in an instant we’re changed in the likeness of Christ and we’re made perfect. In this life though we experience hardships we experience trials, there are mountaintops, there are valleys, and yet we keep holding to the anchor, we keep running after Christ, and Christ holds us fast. So I hope this is an encouragement to you and I pray that you will rest in Christ and his work of righteousness on your behalf.

Jesse T. Jackson
Jesse T. Jackson
Jesse is the Content Editor/Site Manager for ChurchLeaders and ChristianNewsNow. An undeserving husband to a beautiful wife, and a father to 4 beautiful children. He serves as a deacon, a growth group leader, and is a member of University Baptist Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. Follow him on twitter here (https://twitter.com/jessetjackson)

Are You Guilty of Using any of These 10 Christian Cliches?

While "ask Jesus into your heart" conveys a choice to follow Jesus, it the phrase itself causes confusion. Stop using this and other top 10 cliches in the Christian church.

Identity in Christ Verses: Discovering Your True Worth and Purpose Through Scripture

Uncover your true worth and purpose with powerful identity in Christ verses. Learn how Scripture affirms who you are in Christ and how to live out this identity daily.

Mom “Cries 1,000 Tears” Watching Autistic Son Fall in Love With Snow White at Disney

When he met Snow White, something changed. Enamored with her beauty and gentleness, Amanda Coley's toddler started smiling and playfully cuddling with the princess as his mom caught the mesmerizing encounter on tape.