Does the title of this article grab your attention? Likely not. If I had written, "How to Escape Depression, Worry and Fear," would that have grabbed your attention? Likely more so than the first.

Such are common reactions. We all have the tendency to focus on our here and now problems rather than on problems that affect our relationship with God and eternity. However, the two areas are linked. They should not be viewed separately. Oh, we can ignore the link, act as if it does not matter, but that will not change the facts - the truth!

What most of us either do not realize, or do not want to admit, is that here and now problems with depression, worry and fear, are directly linked to how we face our problem with sin. We must understand that our sin problem is not a next world problem, unrelated to our here and now lifetime problems. The truth is that until we confront our sin problem we can never really begin to get a handle on any of our problems.

When Cain and Abel offered sacrifices, and Cain's was unacceptable to God, the Bible says, "And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell." His anger at God led to depression. The depression he felt he had caused by disobeying/sinning against God. He had offered a sacrifice that pleased him, but did not please God. He believed he was doing right and was satisfied with his religion. Obviously, God was not! Abel, on the other hand, did what God wanted and was accepted.

Please read carefully, thoughtfully, what God said to Cain. "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it" (Genesis 4:4-7).

The answers to life's problems begin with listening to God. Our life will always go downhill when we ignore or deny what God says. Listening to God leads us to accept personal responsibility for ourselves to "rule over" the sin that "lies at the door." Instead of brooding, stewing, feeling helpless and turning from God, we will turn to God with our problems. We will begin to "do" what God wants us to do, not what we want, think, feel like doing. God's depression remedy is "do well." God has promised that we will not "be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Begin today to confront your problem with sin.

- Focusing On Truth, June, 2016