My Journey from Doubt and Depression to Grace
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ย. 2024
- When I was young, I “prayed the prayer” and “asked Jesus into my heart,” but I wasn’t truly converted. In this video I open up about my spiritual journey. After years of struggling with doubts and depression, I came to truly understand the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the story of God’s grace in my life. I pray you find encouragement as you listen.
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” - 2 Corinthians 4:6
Links to Resources:
Spiritual Depression by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
www.amazon.com...
Ask Pastor John app
apps.apple.com...
Is Every Day with Jesus Sweeter than the Day Before?
www.desiringgo...
Song Links:
Not In Me
• Not In Me - Sovereign ...
His Mercy is More
• His Mercy Is More (Off...
Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul
• Dear Refuge of My Wear...
Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor
• Matt Boswell Christ Th...
He Will Hold Me Fast
• He Will Hold Me Fast •...
When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy- by John Piper
www.amazon.com...
When Does Bible Neglect Become Sinful- by John Piper
www.desiringgo...
Your testimony proves that even when you grow up in a Christian home, a relationship with the Lord is a very personal and changing one. Thank you, Jesse for talking about this.
💕
I know right!
We all have testimony thru trials n tribulations it is the ones we learn from and realize who took us out of them our father In heaven he taught me to always tell my story to people cuz god is real and true amen
So true. I grew up in a a Christian home and didn’t find Christ until in was 27.
@@samanthakwait8782 Christ wasn’t lost we were lost in sin and Jesus can save us we all have to accept him in our heart and ask him to save us Romans 3:23
I’m 17 and everything you explained is the pain and doubt I’ve been feeling... thank you. This made me feel so less alone
I'm also 17 and going through the same thing
I am 17 too and this is so helpful. Recognizing the fruit of the Holy Spirit and Jesus in my life really helps though.
Keep your head held high, trust God and be joyful with others if you can. It's a difficult time to grow up in but all will be okay!
You should do more videos like this, as you're led by Christ. He knows someone needed to hear this, and I'm sure you have changed lives by being open and honest. Something rare in these days and times, among Christians, which is sad.
Thank you for opening up to all of us. As a "new" Christian with high anxiety and depression, I am always needing this encouragement and positivity. My husband does not believe, but respects my beliefs. It's been hard to let myself feel worthy to God.
I really appreciate this rawness and being so genuine. I’ve been going thru some of those valleys myself and this is encouraging. It is so true that Christians should b open about this and other issues and open about their sins. I’ve found at one of my youth group, we have an opportunity 2 share what the Lord has burning on our hearts and I’ve shared questions and struggles and was so surprised 2 find that many times, more people than not could relate.
As do i! I definitely have felt that I always HAVE to be perfect because Im a Christian. And if I mess up, I feel like God looks at me differently. But watching this reassured me that he loves me because Im his child and he loves me because Im imperfect. ❤
Jessa, I don’t know if you’ll ever see this, but I just want to express my gratitude for taking the time to so tenderly articulate your testimony. I watched this several days ago, and the truth you spoke has deeply touched my life. I’ve been in the church my whole life as well, but to finally differentiate justification from sanctification in the context you described changed everything! I understand now what Gospel rest feels like. And it makes me only want to worship God more, for I can recognize my sin and be repentant of it but also REST in knowing “it is finished.” I can imagine having been a TV icon for the last decade you get a mixed bag of comments and response from the public about your family; I just want to be one voice of encouragement to let you know that your life and testimony is doing good things, and that there’s a community of Christians surrounding you guys as you navigate the public spotlight- keep up the good work! And thank you again for sharing!
Cccccc
Jessa, thank you, beloved. Ive battled depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and anorexia. Then I met Jesus. I was so encouraged by this.
You can still have depression while knowing Jesus. Thyroid issues cause depression, autoimmune disorders, etc. one has to change their diet . Knowing Jesus doesn't mean you aren't going to be depressed.
Thank you for telling the truth on being a Christian, most don't understand it is a daily walk, each and every day.
Thank you 😊.
So true, its a daily walk - moment by moment relying on the Holy Spirit.
As long as you know the difference between your wants and needs from religion & being sheltered by a cult surrounding you.
Jesus is the only way. We surrender our lives and will not waiver our faith for our needs, wants. Read the bible if you don't have understanding. Knowledge comes by hearing the word of God
Jesus is coming soon. If you are a sinner repent. Hell is real. Where do you want to spend eternity? Choose today before it's too late
Although I am muslim, I loved how you shared your thoughts as we all go through lows and highs in our journey with god!
MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN shut up Karen. Don’t group YOURSELF with Christians when you sound like a hateful woman, not even being able to communicate in a Christian way.
Take notes from the person above you.
If I didn’t believe I’m God and I read your message, you’d be the reason for scaring me away
@MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN sweetie pick up the Quran and read it for yourself, I love Jesus with my whole heart as much as the other prophets as they all bring Islam down and all taught us to believe in one and only one holy god. Our one book hasn't been changed nor tempered with it's been the same since 1400 years ago. Coming from a scientific view the Quran mentioned information about the earth, human bodies and much more that we everyday are discovering. How could a book from 1400 years ago know such things? please if you truly can come back with a justification I urge you to simply open a English translated Quran and just read from book cover to book cover and let me know what you think. I am a muslim that was born and raised in Canada and I have gotten the chance to learn the major 3 religions and I've attended jews and Christian religious services and I can say that although morally all religions teach to love and not hate each other Jews and Christian seem to be so blindly confused. So before you have an opinion just do your research trust it'll save you in the end, don't believe everything main stream media tells you the more you trust and believe the more they control you XO!
Sam Brooks Sam but does the Good of the Quran speak to you? Does he ever tell you he loves you. When you converted to Islam what gift did he give you?
Daisy my sister please do not fight I do not know if you’re Christian but as Christian women assuming you one let’s build each other up and rebuke each in a gentle way. I understand what you mean but not everyone will speak with gentleness. When evangelism some people respond well to gentleness and some to harsh rebuke. Please do not be upset it’s not worth it🙏🏾
MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN Sister Mary you too have to be more Gentle madam, we can’t say we are going to smack someone because they do not agree with us. Please as Christians let all our actions be good so no one can look at us and say we have faults, so the world can truly say we are peculiar people. Instead of violence bless her and tell her you love her. Please Jesus is coming soon.
how can anyone not like this video she's being real about her life in Christ.
People have a set image of Christians. When they don’t fit the image, the dislike the person rather than accept and respect the person for being a human being.
I cried watching this bc I can relate so much!
@@AlbertaRose94 AMEN AMEN CAN I GET A WITNESS!!
Caittt😇 me too!! I’m really struggling with faith right now, have been for years. Watching this just encourages me to start fresh with my relationship with God and find my faith.
Mm I think the commenter is referring to people giving the video a thumbs down. Its fine to disagree on theology (as long as its done in love n kindness)💕
My testimony is similar, but I heard a message by Ray Comfort called “True and False conversions “ when I realized my first profession of faith was a FALSE conversion, no repentance and no belief. Even though I did have the date written down!! Now I am truly saved. Your message makes a lot of sense and I appreciate you giving it.
Praise the Lord! I am so thankful for Ray Comfort’s ministry!
@@JessaSeewald Me too. I finally understood salvation thanks to him.
@@JessaSeewald thanks Jessa for sharing.
@@floethiopiawit3921 water baptism doesn’t save you. I say this because if we had to be water baptized to be saved then we would be depending on our own works. This is contrary to Ephesians 2:8-9 which says we are saved by grace through faith and this is not of yourselves it is a gift of God not by works lest any man shall boast. I just wanted to let you know, don’t rely on good works to save you, only by faith in the blood of Christ.
I didn’t say to earn our salvation but to have assurance. Because when our Christian faith is just faith with no fruit it is not good.
I too came to the Lord at 12 years old🤍 all on my own... Zero regrets! My life with Christ has been the best... its not always rainbows and butterflies but I can truly say my life with him has been everything❤️🥺
Jessa, this was a great testimony for the old woman. I have struggled my whole life with fear and doubt of my salvation. And the work that I should and trying to do it in my own strength. And it all lead to spiritual depression. Your right WE as Christians should be able to be open and honest about what is going on. Without being patted on the back and told its just the devil. Or feeling condemnation from other "brothers and sisters" in the faith.
This is a true shifting, faith building, and sin breaking life of a believer. I dont know why when we're saved, some go into a mode of it's up to your own power to remain saved. Ugh!!!! So many wasted years and probably a lot of wasted lives.
Thank you for your awesome openness. Truly Holy Spirit led!! Love you and your family!
Im 50 and saved for 25 yrs and her testimony was a blessing and a joy!
I went though something very similar at 16 at one point I renounced my faith but the glory and mercy of God melted my bitter heart and made me whole again. Mental issues are no joke.
Thank you, Jessa! As I listened to this, i see you have already had over 50,000 views! This means that you have shared your testimony to over 50,000 people in just 8 hours! I love that you are using this platform God has given you, to spread hope, truth, and to love people in Jesus's name!! You are SO loved! Thank you for sharing!
This was a wonderful testimony. I just completed a devotional that reminds us that as Kingdom women, we bear fruit by sharing our testimony. This was a great example of that. You may never know, on this side of heaven, how many souls you have pointed to Christ by sharing your testimony. You did a wonderful job of explaining the gospel and how it all depends on God and not on our own human effort. “For it is by grace that we have been saved through faith in Christ, not of ourselves so that none can boast”.
Jessa thank you for this! I have struggled with the SAME thing. Once realizing I am justified through Christ once and for all and distinguishing the difference between my failures and SANCTIFICATION. When we sin we have an advocate who is Christ, doesn’t mean I’ve lost my salvation. Christ keeps us! What a gospel JOY. Thanks for sharing!
I love how you explain the differences between “justification”, “sanctification” and “glorification”. Salvation itself is so simple, but we tend to complicate things in our own heads. Beautifully spoken Jessa ❤️
Yes ,we do complicate it a lot.
Jessa, as you already obviously know sound doctrine is everything. To know who we really are in Christ changes the way we view ourselves. To rest in His finished work on the Cross and NOT in what we can and can't do is everything. Thank you for your godly example and wisdom, your video was a blessing to my soul. Prior to seeing your video, I had just posted a few verses that you mentioned, on my Facebook today! So to me, it was really the Holy Spirit speaking and confirming!!! Blessings to you sweet sister in Christ.
Å
"The teaching of perfectionism lends itself well to the mountaintop experiences, to the excitement of the camp meeting, or to the heat of the revival fires. It does not fare so well in the ordinary experience, it does not readily tell one how to live in the valley." -Stephen Nichols
Wonderful video. I love hearing people's stories like this, and yours was so genuine, truthful and plain-speaking. I'm already a Christian, but found your video very inspirational, thank you.
Thank you Jesus. I just love to listen to you. The way you speak and put your words together, it’s so easily understood by me.
You know this hits home for me Jessa, thanks for sharing your thoughts and story about yourself and what God and Jesus has done in your life ❤️
I feel like I’m in a valley right now. I’ve been struggling in different areas with my relationship with the Lord. I definitely need to put more time into mending that instead of trying to ignore the fact that I’m not where I want to be.
Loved the video. ♥️
I hope this reply find you more content with your faith. I just wanted to tell you that I’ve been in the valley for a long time now and knowing that I am not alone helps. Thank you fir sharing.
Thank you for sharing your testimony. I’ve watched your family from the beginning and as a viewer we start thinking we know y’all personally and think life is like you’re portrayed on tv. Love how open y’all are and praying your testimony will help those who will relate. We have to share our testimonies because others will find hope that they can make it through their own trials. God bless you and your family.
Wow Jessa! . TY. You’re at your best when u r real and raw and truly transparent! That seems like your wheelhouse! Keep that up! Great truthful testimony! Nothing fake.
I'm in tears as I listen to every word you're saying hit every single issue my heart is dealing with.
Me too, hon.
Thanks for sharing Jessa. I’m much older than you, & have been a Christian for 40+ years, but still struggle with these issues at times. I remind myself often that God’s grace is sufficient. May our Lord continue to bless & use you. 💜
Going through it now. Thank you, Jessa. You're a wise young woman. Your parents did a great job in raising you. God bless.
She talks about the stress she has put herself under. She talks about the other vows she had been making and then realizing that she was going to probably break them. She talked about that through the ministering words of two shepherds that it sort of freed her of that stress. It didn’t relieve her of needing to grow deeper as a Christian and strive in her heart to do what Jesus would have her do. One thing I am always reminded of when I’m struggling with wanting to take the easy way out, which I always struggle with, is when Anna Duggar said she tries to “ do the next right thing for the next five minutes”. I can’t tell you how many times Ive said it to myself. You may not always feel like doing what is right, and you definitely won’t always do what is right, but you can probably do what is right for 5 minutes and then you can ask the Lord to help you do what is right for the next 5 minutes after that if you’re still struggling. And after that 5 minutes is up, you can ask him again, and you can do that all day long. It’s not the messing up that’s important. It is important that you know you can talk to God. You know that the Holy Spirit Hotline is always going to pick up when you call it.
This video encouraged me today.
This is so encouraging I was in a slump just today cuz I didn’t get time in got up late and busy with baby and moving and I felt like a bad Christian or something .. this is so great
Amen! We need a lot more honest, raw straight talk like this.
Love hearing this Jessa! Thank u 4 sharing this with us♡
Its rather enlightening when the Lord shows us where we are lacking and He will always make a way for us 🌻
Oh Jess I really know what you're talkin about I feel like I'm going through a lot of stuff I want to be so close to the Lord when I'm just struggling I have a lot of medical. I was born disabled secondary problems because of that and I am so struggling right now adult the loss of a friend and then covi struck. And then my medical to come or dive so I get where you're coming I struggle with us even now I feel like you're describing when I'm going through thank you
Dear Jessa, i dont ever write comments and seeing how many there are i am almost certain you will not read this, but i had to write with the small chance you would. What a beautiful testimony. I was JUST thinking last week whille watching your show on TV, that I have seen growth and maturation in you(the works of sanctification)! What an encouragement to me. Also my oldest is 12 and we have been having some attitude issues with him(similair to what you stated) and it gave me hope in the work of the Holy Spirit in his life! thank you! Also i am SO encouraged to hear someone in a public position as you to encourage others towards SOUND teaching!! Keep it up, from one momma to another!
I found this super helpful because I was raised a Christian and I fell out of the religion but this is a great fresh perspective!!!
Same thing happened to me! I grew up in a Christian family, and decided to be an atheist for awhile and then I officially got saved at 20 y/o 😁 and I’m 22
This is lovely, I am Catholic and found your comments very inspirational. I'm happy you shared your thoughts because that spiritual dryness is something many Christians face from time to time in our lives. You made me think of what St Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.”.
Thank you for being an encouragement and sharing your heart. Grateful for your words and the way you help you share Jesus ♥️
I promise you that you were not the problem child.
That’s for sure.
Exaclety
We have ALL sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. I thank Him that He has granted His mercy and justification, even to a sinner like me.
Right! It makes me so sad that she even believes this.
The first born's the worst born
I just want to thank you, I was scrolling through youtube and your video was on my recommended, and at first i just kept scrolling, but I felt God leading me to watch. I have been struggling with doubt and confusion over my salvation for about 4 months straight now, and this has been one of the hardest battles i’ve ever faced. I was saved at 14, and I remember seeing change in my life, but I’ve always lived to think i have to be good enough, i have to do this or do that, but i don’t. and i can’t. it’s a hard thing to accept, and i’m at the point now where i’m wondering if i truly places my faith in Christ, because why would i be doing this if i did. it’s a very confusing and hard thing to deal with, but you really encouraged me! thank you, may God bless you and use you!
Guys! God is so cool!! This message is like “The American Gospel” movie that can be found on Netflix!! I highly recommend it! It is so cool how God saves us because of His Grace not our works!! Jesus is Lord! He Loves us perfectly, and He Loves us enough to discipline us!!
Thanks for sharing. I agree there's so many times most of us aren't transparent. God is so amazing how He's right there in the exact moment we need him. Continue to let Him use you!
Amen, amen, amen! I was blessed to sit under John Piper's preaching at Bethlehem Baptist during my college years. This is SO important - to be real and honest. Thank you for sharing your heart!
I know that I was meant to hear this. I was getting ready for work and I just played it while getting ready for work and it means the world to me that someone was finally honest about how they were feeling. You can be a Christian you can be a lost so you can be anything you want and still feel depression and that you're not up to par to everyone else. I appreciate this it means a lot to me and honestly think this will help my day go forward and hopefully on into my week what's left of it
Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for being open and talking about your experience as a Christian. I can relate to your story in so many ways.
Thank you, Jesse for being so real and transparent. God bless you.
Jess thank you for sharing this. I’m 55 and was saved when I was 15 and this touched so many things that I have pondered on and was like a light switch. Thanks we never get too old to learn even from our younger generation!
Although I am Jewish, I found your thoughts to be very powerful. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jessa, for sharing so openly! I can so relate and am going through some of this now. I especially needed to hear that part how not every day with Christ is sweeter than the last. I had such a sweet season with Christ earlier this year and lately it just feels dry and a struggle. Thank you for the reminder that while this is not good, it’s normal.
And I also so much want to thank you and your family for your faithfulness in doing the TV show. Long story short, I used to be an atheist but God absolutely used my interest in your unique family’s life (and a few other things in my own life) to make me question my beliefs and to eventually draw me to repent and believe in him about 5 years ago. 🙌 So thank you Duggars and all praise to God!
You were 12! How can you be so hard on yourself for being a age where you are learning and understanding?
Right?!? She was a sinful *6* year old? Sheesh
Because when she was 12 outside influences cut her and her family no slack for how they were living their lives.
Because we are born into sin and at the age of accountability (when you know right and wrong) you can and should make the decision to live for the Lord, especially when you are raised in a christian family and have that knowledge of it.
Because her parents are abusive and made their children follow their cult.
Because that's how fundies are raised.. it demolishes your self worth.
For anyone struggling with depression and/or anxiety, just a reminder that struggling with those does not make you a bad Christian or mean that you don't have enough faith. It's a chemical imbalance in your brain. Also, needing to take medication is not a bad thing if that's what your doctor recommends.
God told Ezekiel to eat and sleep. Why? Bc food helped his mindset and sleep refreshed his mind...
It can be due to many things, circumstances and chemical reactions being among the top possibilities. Counseling from a professional and/or a pastor can be a good first step. As always, prayer for discernment and direction are very important. If medication needs to be a part of treatment for a time, then pursue that. If you feel someone might be giving you bad advice, seek a second opinion. God is the Great Physician, and He raises up others to heal as He does.
Thank you Jessa. This really helped me because I am going through Spiritual Depression at this time in my life. Listening to you has been a blessing to me.
Sending you love and prayers! God bless you dear! 💛
jessa, I almost didn't watch this video, then something pushed me to watch. I connected with every single point you were making. I got baptized when I was in third grade and considered myself a Christian my whole life. However, it wasn't until about sophomore year of highschool that I really surrendered a big part of my life that I was trying to control and hold onto. I'm now starting my sophomore year of college and have been in a dry season where I have felt like I could never measure up. I try and try and some days are better than others, but some definetley aren't. I hear peole talking about thier assurance and my heart sinks because I realize that I don't have that same assurance. I talk to my mom about it and she tells me the same things you were talking about, but now I hear you put it into words from someone other than my mom, on a day where I was really stuggling the night before wondering if I had maybe lost my salvation/ never truly understood and believed in Jesus Christ as my true Savior, but its so true what you were saying and I can completely relate to just the fact of mixing up justification and sanctification, with the idea of commitment to God to do "better", and the idea that I was not a good Christian/ I wouldn't be able to live in the freedom or be open to the Holy Spirit working through me to others or even myself if I hadn't had my "God Time" and if I did, if it didn't give me an emotional experience where I felt something strong from God, that it wasn't good. I have been trying to practice just sitting in silence for the past few days, but yes, God completely guided me to this video to put everything I was feeling ( although i kind of knew what I was doing wrong in some ways, also not knowing what I was doing wrong to be in such a dry place and knowing where I wanted to be with God) into words. I pray these words truly sink into the depths of my heart because I do feel cold. But, I know that this was not an accident and God is doing a work and I am not in control of the timeline in which that work will take place/bear fruit. Thank you Jessa, for letting the Lord guide you to share this and being obedient to that conviction/ calling. because, if it wasnt for anyoe else, this was for me.
Jessa, I love listening to you speak! You speak eloquently, smoothly, and confidently. You have a true gift of communication. Thanks for sharing! So thankful for Jesus my Savior!
This is very comforting to hear Jessa. Thank you for your perspective, you are right that more people need to discuss lows as they are normal, and being open about that helps people to overcome that valley. Thank you for sharing these thoughts.
If the enemy can’t get you to sin , he’ll get you distracted, both separate us from God .
Wow, thank you for commenting this. This is really helpful for me to remember in my walk with Christ, especially with what I’m walking through now💛
I am so glad you shared this 2 years ago. I wasn't able to sleep tonight so I got on youtube and found this video recommended for me. Thank you for sharing this. Currently going through a valley, I am glad you said what you did about justification and sanctification. That helps me so much!
Sooo good Jessa, God bless you. Saints let's keep us all in prayer during this sanctification process in Jesus. I love the "gospel rest".
Thank you for sharing your testimony Jessa! Hard to believe you were a problem child. You've grown into such a godly young woman, beautiful inside and out. You are my favorite!
I can remember the haters and trolls saying she was the problem child.
I haven't followed the family for too long, but this sister in Christ is a true gift, one of my favorite moms on TH-cam now.
Megan Jarrett Her journey has been amazing and inspirational.
Reeta Young I always heard Josiah was the problem child 🙂
Ada Van Not really. The haters and trolls were stereotyping Josiah instead of allowing him to be a human being.
What an excellent video! Thank you! We need each other and we are not made to be alone.
Jessa you are preaching to many. I recommend believers who feel in a rut listen to this 10 times. Praise God!
Jessa! Thank you so much for sharing your life!! I need a pick me up and thank you so much.
I had my last day at work this week and I’m going to be staying home with my son now. I have been thinking so much about what I need to make myself do while I’m home. I keep thinking “I need to do x, y, and z in my house everyday to be faithful”. But what you said about vows is such a great reminder that I must seek a relationship with Christ to be faithful, and God will work in me what He desires. Doing my dishes everyday is not my justification, Christ is! Thank you, Jessa!
Thank you so much! I have had a lot of unsurenes in my salvation, and I have had a lot of people say remember the day you got saved and your all good. But I now now that I have trusted the Lord as my personal savior! But thank you so much for this it helped me.💕😎
So sweet! I got saved at 11 on September 29, 1971. I was so saved and changed from the inside out and I did nothing to make that change. God is so good
There are a lot of imaginative people that believe in God, love Jesus, and read the Bible. Thank you for seeking the truth, and more than anything SHARING!
Being open and honest with your family, friends and neighbours is a wonderful gift, thanks Jessa.
Jessa, You are so well spoken. I am not a Christian and I listened to the very end because I want to understand more about your faith and your journey. Keep being real... I think you may have found your calling in speaking your truth. 💛
I just want to say I appreciate your kindness and encouragement towards Jessa and her testimony. Many times those who aren’t Christians are condemning with their words towards those who are. I am praying for you to fully understand the Christian faith and come to understand the truth in your journey. ❤️
22 minutes just cleared up 48 years of disappointment in myself, confusion over my salvation, anger with God for making it not at all clear, regret for that anger, then as a way to mend fences with God a re-commitment and a vow to do everything better, to then eventually fail spectacularly. Then restart the cycle. 48 years of going round and round never understanding that when God looks upon me, he doesn’t see this broken mess of a person I am, he instead sees Christ in me. Wow. Wow. Wow.
I also have found in my times of greatest need I listen to the Word in every format possible. I have found YT really helpful. I hope others can find encouragement through your words and channel. ~ From a fellow Christian TH-camr
Be careful with searching TH-cam for the Word of God I’ve seen A LOT of false preachers and teachers on here reading the Bible is the only true way you know you aren’t being deceived if you don’t have the gift of discernment
Great message ! So many wonder their whole lives and still not understand and it will make you question yourself and where you are as a person . It’s burn out that causes you to feel so burned out and depressed.
Thank you for sharing. One of my favorite quotes I heard as a teen was "God sees you through Christ, others see Christ through you." Can't remember who said that but it has always stuck with me to strive to make good choices.
Thank you Jessica so much for your encouraging words. They are so helpful in so many ways. I thank you so much for listening to the word of the Lord as He lead you to speak these words of encouragement. Not only for me but for so many others that go through a lot of the same things.
I have watched you and your siblings grow up on TV as much as I could. I really appreciate your family willing and able to share what you have. And continue to do so. Your whole family is amazing 💕. I love watching what I can of you and your siblings now with your children. Thanks to each and every one!!! I wished I was able to keep up with your shows, but with what steams I have it's not available. Keep up the good work you do, striving every day to be the best you you can be and being that example to the gifts/blessings God has let us enjoy ... (The beautiful children) as well as the example that you choose to set for others.
I feel that you and your whole family have been an amazing blessing to my life and helped me in the way I have chosen to be and do for my children and grandchildren. And the other children God has allowed to be apart of my life.
Thank you again so much. As well as your whole family 😊
May you continue to follow in the direction that God leads you. Always learning and growing ... In Christ
Jessa, thank you for your vulnerability. It is so refreshing to hear a Christian be raw and real and, dare I say it... Imperfect. 💕
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony!! I can relate to every word!! You lift my heart and help me to know that I am not alone in my feelings and thoughts! So grateful to you!❤️
God bless you Jessa for so openly sharing your faith journey. Such an encouragement to me and so many.
Thanks Jessa. Your honesty is refreshing and inspiring. The world needs more of this. 💖
Thank you for being transparent in your testimony, proclaiming the gospel and discipling. Praise the Lord for speaking through you. It bore deep into my heart. I wish I could give you a hug. God bless you, sister.
Jessa has always been the most relatable.... for me at least. 💞
Same 💕
Thank you God for this special young woman. May God bless you always. Everything God helped you say to all of us is true. It helped me not give up on myself and let God take control of my life and I need to listen and grow, and pray and let God guide me because I can't do anything without him. I'm so glad I can't. It's such a blessing to have a God that has loved. me all my life right by my side. I've struggled a lot but it's not because he was not there it was because I did not look to him. It's his guidance that makes us who we are. May God bless you and your family. All other people looking at this always remember God loves you so very much.
Thanks so much for sharing this! I’ve went on to share it with my daughter and friends who I feel like would benefit from hearing this!
Jessa, I’ve spent most of my life in that spiritual depression, never knew what to call it. I’ve been receiving truly helpful guidance recently, and am learning to recognize God working in my life. This video, your open sharing of your walking through the valleys, is brave and an example of how open Christians need to be with each other. How can we lift each other up if we don’t share our difficult times? And resting in the gospel, a new concept for me. Thank you.
Amen!! Well said, Jessa. God bless you and your family .
Jessa, thank you!! Thank you for being real and raw, honest and unafraid to share part of your personal journey with anyone willing to listen. Your explanations, especially regarding Justification and Sanctification, were brilliant! The reference of biblical scriptures really helped me understand things that I have questioned and have been confused about, and unable to get them explained appropriately so I could walk closer and more accurately with what God/Jesus has already done for me and what gifts I already possess from Him. You have certainly helped me and in turn I will help others with this knowledge, eg my own children. It will continue to bless others as it is shared and explained to them. Well done Jessa! I'm sure the Lord is pleased and proud of you! God bless you sweetie! Nat from Australia.
This was a very very strong post from me for me thank you for taking the time to sit down and share
you’re amazing mama andGodly Woman and I love watching your family grow
Jessa I love that u shared this experience n that u r so honest about what u lived. The world needs more of this because people fear speaking about the gospel this way. Everyone should know n understand that the gospel of Christ is not intended to drag n force perfection out of us. It’s there to bring us strength, joy, encouragement n growth.
Thanks for sharing what the Lord has done in your life!!!!
I can relate to all of this so much! I thought it was just me going through this convictions but now I understand . I prayed so much to God he would guide me and would give me this message and free me from so much doubt and confusion and now he has answered my prayers . Praise the Lord. Please feel free to open up Jessa this really helps us grow more as believers. Got bless you & you’re family 😊🙏🏽❤️
Wow, I’m so so happy you posted this. I’ve also been struggling with this. I thought I was the only one & it was a lost cause so to speak. Thank you!
Always love your videos when you sit and talk with us .
You articulate your thoughts and feelings extremely well.
I don't think you were a problem child, I think you were just feeling lost.
Jessa, I feel like we know you from the show and I know we don’t but I have an inclination that you are a little more stubborn then some of your siblings. I don’t think you blindly follow anything someone says but do you’re own searching for truth. I think you’ve been blessed with the gift of spiritual discernment and you helped carry your family though some rougher times on the show. I get the impression that you and Jana may have bumped heads in the past because you weren’t going to follow everything she said. I appreciate your growth journey and the education. I’m sure your family can see just how God has used you in their lives!
God bless you & your little fam . I believe God placed your mate bc God knows all about our lives b4 we do . 🙏 For your oldest sister 💔 God has placed many talents in her for a reason in his time HE WILL ANSWER HER DEEPEST PRAYERS . IT WAS nice to hear what you shared I took for my self what I needed to hear pretty much all of it . We observed what you mention in your walk but you seem to be the one who brought some wisdom knowledge to the SYBLINGS in time of need . I ENJOY WATCHING YOU AND YOU ALL GROWING UP AND SEEING THE LITTLE ADDED BUNDLE OF JOY EVERY ONE BRINGS IN THE FAM . REAL TALK LIKE THIS IS WHAT IS MUCH NEEDED FOR THIS GENERATION. .
Thank you, you spoke to my soul and have lifted out a lot of darkness. I have tortured myself in the same way in how I can never be just like Christ even though I have all the desire in my heart to “measure up” but in this struggle we do lose sight of what we would be best served by, resting in the new term you introduced me to. In this we keep up the momentum to keep being as loving and pure as possible, as far as I can tell this means we are eternally saved, we never strive to waver from his path. The only true commitment we know we can make, is that we commit to being on the path of Christ, he loves us and won’t give up on us, as long as we won’t give up on him. This journey in this life is never done, and thank you again so much for this; I feel cleansed of the thing that has made me lack faith most of all. I couldn’t reconcile how it all made sense, until you explained it to me in this way. We must fill our lives with as much Christ as we can at any given moment, and repent as we must along the journey as we are bound to fall short, and you’re completely correct in that this only brings us more joy into doing more and more to live as Christ would. Just because I know I will always fall short, it doesn’t mean that I feel like I can and should just do anything I want sinfully- it in fact brings me further and further into the journey of finding joy and fruitfulness in growing and becoming more intimately acquainted with Christ as I become more like him than I have been before. I feel like we find out in this journey that the more we become like him and transform on this path by committing to Christ- the more each day we feel his love and connection even deeper than ever before. His glory is revealed to us to progressively more and more than we knew before, because we had the faith to understand he is infinitely pure love- pure perfection. When we think we’ve realiZed his absolute glory at any given minute, we are wrong because later on we get to find out he is even more beautiful. He is our one true love, and on this journey we fall in love with him more and more. The only commitment we can truly make is to believe, and when we find ourselves struggling to believe- that we will never allow that moment of uncertainty to have us stray away from our trust and belief of him forever. We must only commit to loving him forever, more and more 🤍 I love this her freedom you’ve given me, to realize that I can truly rest in him and his salvation he has given to me, so long as I believe, so long as I am committed to continue to grow and realize in this life I’ll always fall short, but it is exciting that I’ll continue to grow, the more I devote myself to him, the more I try- the more I will get to show him the love he gives me; right back. It feels amazing to me and the most freeing to truly help others, and encourage them to feel god and his love in their own lives.
You are beautiful Jessa, you’ve always been my favorite Duggar, I love your personality, and I relate to you a lot; and especially from what you’ve shared here in your struggles. You are beautiful inside and out! 💕 it’s as if God made your outside reflect your inside 🤍
Thank you for your bravery to share and for letting God use you!!
I love this Jessa, thank you for sharing your testimony! Spiritual growth has been so evident in your whole family through the years as I’ve watched you on TV. Hearing you share the raw truth of your salvation and struggles and how God has guided you and pointed you toward biblical truth is so encouraging! I’m thankful for how God has given your family a platform to share the Gospel, and that you’ve all embraced that and taken the criticism and judgement in stride. Praise God for you and your salvation and your willingness to use your platform for His glory ❤️
Thank you Jessa, this is exactly what I needed today. And you mentioned Romans 8, which was my quiet time this morning. God is so good.
What a beautiful testimony Jessa. I feel so proud of you. I am 73 years old and enjoy watching and listening to younger people who live the Christian life, as you and your family do. I have felt the way you described many times in my life. I learned the truth of sanctification a few years ago. In other words, the same way we got in is the same way we stay in - Faith in Christ and His sacrifice on Calvary. God bless you and your family.
Wonderfully said, Jessa! You’re a gifted communicator! I hope you’ll post more teaching videos like this in the future!
Thank you for sharing. I love hearing testimonies from kids who grew up in a Christian home. Your testimony blessed me.
I have had feelings of not being “enough” lately and I’m tired of it!! Thank you for this video it really helped! Also the song “You Say” by Lauren Daigle has been a huge help for anyone going through this!! Keep sharing Jessa!!
I love serving Christ & walking in his spirit. Jessa, you are a wonderful teacher in Christ. I love what God has used you for. I've bn a Christian since I turned 14yrs old, I've bn a Christian for 35yrs. It has bn the best 35yrs. Your teachings of Christ & how he uses you is a blessing. In my faith we don't cut our hair, wear skirts or dresses above our knees, we as women do not wear pants, no make up. These are not sins, it's just bn our tradition way way before my time. We are taught to be natural. We don't look down on people who do these things because we are all God's children. I loved your teachings. Stay encouraged , God uses you as a teacher of Christ. God Bless 🙏.