Facing Life in Christ
Life’s pressures, failures, and fears can drive a person inward, retreating into isolation rather than standing in the strength of Christ. E. Stanley Jones points out that while death cannot separate us from God’s love, life can—if we attempt to live it apart from Him. Fear and self-preoccupation create a separation, not because God moves away, but because we withdraw into ourselves, cutting off the flow of His life through us.
Jones tells the story of a Chinese student who, overwhelmed by failure, hid in an attic for four years, consumed by shame and fear. His retreat left him broken, but when he finally stepped back into life, he realized that facing reality was the only way forward. Likewise, Carl Jung observed that many neuroses stem not from the past, but from the avoidance of present responsibilities—an attempt to escape rather than engage with life.
But in Christ, we do not have to retreat. His life in us is fully sufficient for every challenge we face. Instead of shrinking back in fear or self-focus, we stand firm in Him. The same grace that sustains us in death empowers us in life. Paul assures us:
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
Imagine a mountain climber who clings to the rock face in the midst of a storm. The wind howls, the path is treacherous, but he remains steady because his anchor holds. That is the believer’s position in Christ—firmly secured in His love, no longer swayed by fear or failure. Life does not have to overwhelm or isolate us. When we abide in Him, we face every moment with His adequacy.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, You have given us everything we need for life and godliness in Christ. In Him, we stand unshaken, facing each challenge not in our own strength but in the sufficiency of Your life within us. Nothing can separate us from Your love—not fear, not failure, not even the pressures of life itself. We rest in this unshakable truth, walking forward in the confidence of Your presence. Amen.
📖 Excerpt from In Christ by E. Stanley Jones
📷 Photo credit: Unsplash