Counsel to a Despondent Sister
In my Christian experience I have passed over the ground where you are now traveling. It seemed that I was bound in chains of despair. When quite young, only about 12 years old, I was for months utterly helpless. But the Lord did not suffer me to remain in this condition. He attracted me by His own mercy and grace, and brought me to the light. He will help you.
3SM 324.4
Look away from yourself. Do not think or talk of yourself. You cannot save yourself by any good work that you may do. The Lord Jesus has not made you a sin-bearer. He has not been able to find any human or angelic being to be a sin-bearer. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Do you not believe the words of Christ? He bids you, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
3SM 325.1
Think of the Saviour. Lay your sins, both of omission and of commission, upon the Sin-bearer. You know that you love the Lord; then do not worry away your life because Satan harasses you with his falsehoods. Believe that Jesus will and does pardon your transgression. He bore the sins of the whole world. He loves to have the weak and troubled soul come to Him and rely upon Him. Seek God in simple faith, saying, “I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
3SM 325.2
Angels Minister to Trusting Souls—The Lord does not readily cast off His erring children. He bears long with them. His angels minister to every believing, trusting soul. Now, when you read these words, believe that the Lord accepts you just as you are, erring and sinful. He knows that you cannot blot out one sin; He knows that His precious blood, shed for the sinner, makes that one who is troubled, worried, and perplexed, a child of God.
3SM 325.3
The Word of God is like a garden filled with beautiful, fragrant flowers. My sister, will you not pluck the flowers, the roses, the lilies, and the pinks of His promises? Rest in His love. No tongue can express or finite mind conceive the greatness and richness of His promises for just such weak and trembling souls as you are. Simple faith and trust is your part; the Lord's part He never fails to fulfill. By faith draw close to the precious Sin-bearer, and then cling to Him by faith. Do not worry; this will not help the matter at all. Believe that Christ Himself rebukes the enemy, and that he can have no more control over you. Believe that Satan has been rebuked. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up for you a standard against him.
3SM 325.4
Take Hold of Jesus and Never Let Go—Again I bid you to look away from yourself. Look to Jesus. Take hold of the Mighty One, and never let go. Our Lord Jesus has expressed His love for you in that He gave His own life that you might be saved; you must not distrust that love. Do not look on the dark side. Be hopeful in God. By beholding Jesus as your sin-pardoning Saviour you become changed into His image. Say, “I have asked my Saviour, He has set me free, and I am free indeed. I am the Lord's, and the Lord is mine. I will not fear. I know that He loves me in my infirmities, and I will not make Him sorry by showing that I distrust Him. I break with the enemy. Christ has cut the cords that bound me, and I will praise the Lord.”
3SM 326.1
Thus you can educate and strengthen your mind. May the Lord help and bless you every moment. Be free, yes, be free in the Lord just now. Rejoice in your freedom.—Letter 36, 1900.
3SM 326.2
100
3SM
Selected Messages Book 3
[{"para_id":"100.4","title":"A Word to the Reader","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0003_eng_m_a_word_to_the_reader_100_16.mp3#duration=401&size=3322675"},{"para_id":"100.2863","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0005_eng_m_introduction_100_34.mp3#duration=104&size=946941"},{"para_id":"100.2864","title":"Chapter 1\u2014What Is the Church?","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0006_eng_m_chapter_1_what_is_the_church_100_2864.mp3#duration=644&size=5265882"},{"para_id":"100.66","title":"Chapter 2\u2014Unity in the Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0008_eng_m_chapter_2_unity_in_the_church_100_66.mp3#duration=285&size=2393144"},{"para_id":"100.84","title":"Chapter 3\u2014Independent Action","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0013_eng_m_chapter_3_independent_action_100_84.mp3#duration=500&size=4114066"},{"para_id":"100.2865","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0021_eng_m_introduction_100_116.mp3#duration=119&size=1064821"},{"para_id":"100.2866","title":"Chapter 4\u2014The Primacy of the Word","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0022_eng_m_chapter_4_the_primacy_of_the_word_100_2866.mp3#duration=707&size=5769887"},{"para_id":"100.152","title":"Chapter 5\u2014Experiences in Receiving the Visions","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0023_eng_m_chapter_5_experiences_in_receiving_the_visions_100_152.mp3#duration=841&size=6843754"},{"para_id":"100.192","title":"Chapter 6\u2014Glimpses of How the Light Came to Ellen White","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0024_eng_m_chapter_6_glimpses_of_how_the_light_came_to_ellen_white_100_192.mp3#duration=1111&size=9005359"},{"para_id":"100.241","title":"Chapter 7\u2014Presenting the Divinely Revealed Message","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0025_eng_m_chapter_7_presenting_the_divinely_revealed_message_100_241.mp3#duration=1876&size=15121325"},{"para_id":"100.336","title":"Chapter 8\u2014The Question of Influence","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0026_eng_m_chapter_8_the_question_of_influence_100_336.mp3#duration=744&size=6065154"},{"para_id":"100.373","title":"Chapter 9\u2014Defining Sister White's Judgment and the Word of the Lord","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0027_eng_m_chapter_9_defining_sister_white_s_judgment_and_the_word_of_the_lord_100_373.mp3#duration=366&size=3039644"},{"para_id":"100.392","title":"Chapter 10\u2014On Being an Inspired Messenger","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0029_eng_m_chapter_10_on_being_an_inspired_messenger_100_392.mp3#duration=854&size=6950027"},{"para_id":"100.431","title":"Chapter 11\u2014The Reception of the Messages","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0031_eng_m_chapter_11_the_reception_of_the_messages_100_431.mp3#duration=1237&size=10010996"},{"para_id":"100.2867","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0034_eng_m_introduction_100_493.mp3#duration=126&size=1123336"},{"para_id":"100.2868","title":"Chapter 12\u2014Literary Assistants in Work of Ellen G. White","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0035_eng_m_chapter_12_literary_assistants_in_work_of_ellen_g_white_100_2868.mp3#duration=633&size=5177016"},{"para_id":"100.533","title":"Chapter 13\u2014The Testimonies for the Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0037_eng_m_chapter_13_the_testimonies_for_the_church_100_533.mp3#duration=573&size=4696835"},{"para_id":"100.574","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Initial Steps in Writing and Publishing The Great Controversy Story","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0040_eng_m_chapter_14_initial_steps_in_writing_and_publishing_the_great_controvers_100_574.mp3#duration=373&size=3099354"},{"para_id":"100.598","title":"Chapter 15\u2014A Running Account of Ellen G. White's Experience in Writing on the Life of Christ in 1876","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0043_eng_m_chapter_15_a_running_account_of_ellen_g_white_s_experience_in_writing_on_th_100_598.mp3#duration=791&size=6439319"},{"para_id":"100.639","title":"Chapter 16\u2014Expanding the Great Controversy Presentation","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0044_eng_m_chapter_16_expanding_the_great_controversy_presentation_100_639.mp3#duration=771&size=6283396"},{"para_id":"100.677","title":"Chapter 17\u2014The Experience of E. G. White in Preparing The Desire of Ages","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0046_eng_m_chapter_17_the_experience_of_e_g_white_in_preparing_the_desire_of_ages_100_677.mp3#duration=741&size=6041018"},{"para_id":"100.711","title":"Chapter 18\u2014Comments While at Work on the Conflict Series Books","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0049_eng_m_chapter_18_comments_while_at_work_on_the_conflict_series_books_100_711.mp3#duration=352&size=2928652"},{"para_id":"100.738","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0056_eng_m_introduction_100_739.mp3#duration=123&size=1101437"},{"para_id":"100.2870","title":"Chapter 19\u2014The Incarnation","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0057_eng_m_chapter_19_the_incarnation_100_2870.mp3#duration=2123&size=17098313"},{"para_id":"100.2871","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0071_eng_m_introduction_100_849.mp3#duration=145&size=1277051"},{"para_id":"100.2872","title":"Chapter 20\u2014Principles as Set Forth by Ellen White in Her Early Ministry","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0072_eng_m_chapter_20_principles_as_set_forth_by_ellen_white_in_her_early_ministry_100_2872.mp3#duration=1606&size=12962184"},{"para_id":"100.921","title":"Chapter 21\u2014Ellen G. White Reports on the Minneapolis Conference","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0074_eng_m_chapter_21_ellen_g_white_reports_on_the_minneapolis_conference_100_921.mp3#duration=4730&size=37961166"},{"para_id":"100.1131","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Emphasis on Salvation Theme\u20141890-1908","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0082_eng_m_chapter_22_emphasis_on_salvation_theme_1890_1908_100_1131.mp3#duration=2174&size=17505525"},{"para_id":"100.2873","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0084_eng_m_introduction_100_1220.mp3#duration=279&size=2343883"},{"para_id":"100.2874","title":"Chapter 23\u2014Appeal for a Church School","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0085_eng_m_chapter_23_appeal_for_a_church_school_100_2874.mp3#duration=571&size=4680345"},{"para_id":"100.1260","title":"Chapter 24\u2014Counsel Regarding Age of School Entrance","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0086_eng_m_chapter_24_counsel_regarding_age_of_school_entrance_100_1260.mp3#duration=1550&size=12514928"},{"para_id":"100.1357","title":"Chapter 25\u2014General Guiding Principles","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0095_eng_m_chapter_25_general_guiding_principles_100_1357.mp3#duration=387&size=3209337"},{"para_id":"100.1382","title":"Chapter 26\u2014Attending Colleges and Universities of the Land","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0101_eng_m_chapter_26_attending_colleges_and_universities_of_the_land_100_1382.mp3#duration=466&size=3844059"},{"para_id":"100.2875","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0106_eng_m_introduction_100_1406.mp3#duration=125&size=1110553"},{"para_id":"100.2876","title":"Chapter 27\u2014The Grace of Courtesy","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0107_eng_m_chapter_27_the_grace_of_courtesy_100_2876.mp3#duration=520&size=4273824"},{"para_id":"100.1434","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Dress and Adornment","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0108_eng_m_chapter_28_dress_and_adornment_100_1434.mp3#duration=1892&size=15254020"},{"para_id":"100.1527","title":"Chapter 29\u2014The Sabbath: Guiding Principles in Sabbath Observance","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0118_eng_m_chapter_29_the_sabbath_guiding_principles_in_sabbath_observance_100_1527.mp3#duration=1398&size=11299546"},{"para_id":"100.1587","title":"Chapter 30\u2014The Propriety of Varying Postures in Prayer","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0120_eng_m_chapter_30_the_propriety_of_varying_postures_in_prayer_100_1587.mp3#duration=653&size=5336997"},{"para_id":"100.2877","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0123_eng_m_introduction_100_1619.mp3#duration=117&size=1054120"},{"para_id":"100.2878","title":"Chapter 31\u2014Visions That Early Called for Reforms","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0124_eng_m_chapter_31_visions_that_early_called_for_reforms_100_2878.mp3#duration=271&size=2278721"},{"para_id":"100.1644","title":"Chapter 32\u2014The 1863 Health Reform Vision","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0127_eng_m_chapter_32_the_1863_health_reform_vision_100_1644.mp3#duration=895&size=7275461"},{"para_id":"100.1695","title":"Chapter 33\u2014Proper Use of the Testimonies on Health Reform","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0134_eng_m_chapter_33_proper_use_of_the_testimonies_on_health_reform_100_1695.mp3#duration=680&size=5558270"},{"para_id":"100.1731","title":"Chapter 34\u2014Spiritual and Physical Hazards of Indulged Appetite","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0141_eng_m_chapter_34_spiritual_and_physical_hazards_of_indulged_appetite_100_1731.mp3#duration=464&size=3829555"},{"para_id":"100.1758","title":"Chapter 35\u2014Teaching Health Reform in the Family","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0149_eng_m_chapter_35_teaching_health_reform_in_the_family_100_1758.mp3#duration=224&size=1907263"},{"para_id":"100.1772","title":"Chapter 36\u2014Sister White and Prayer for the Sick","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0153_eng_m_chapter_36_sister_white_and_prayer_for_the_sick_100_1772.mp3#duration=192&size=1653701"},{"para_id":"100.2880","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0156_eng_m_introduction_100_1784.mp3#duration=56&size=565693"},{"para_id":"100.2881","title":"Chapter 37\u2014Seventh-day Adventists and Lawsuits","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0157_eng_m_chapter_37_seventh_day_adventists_and_lawsuits_100_2881.mp3#duration=862&size=7011435"},{"para_id":"100.1833","title":"Chapter 38\u2014Science and Revelation","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0164_eng_m_chapter_38_science_and_revelation_100_1833.mp3#duration=876&size=7124130"},{"para_id":"100.1872","title":"Chapter 39\u2014Questions About the Saved","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0167_eng_m_chapter_39_questions_about_the_saved_100_1872.mp3#duration=444&size=3667420"},{"para_id":"100.1897","title":"Chapter 40\u2014The Question of the Date Line","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0170_eng_m_chapter_40_the_question_of_the_date_line_100_1897.mp3#duration=299&size=2507964"},{"para_id":"100.1915","title":"Chapter 41\u2014Memorials, Are They Proper?","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0173_eng_m_chapter_41_memorials_are_they_proper_100_1915.mp3#duration=165&size=1431158"},{"para_id":"100.1924","title":"Chapter 42\u2014Renting Our Churches to Other Denominations","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0176_eng_m_chapter_42_renting_our_churches_to_other_denominations_100_1924.mp3#duration=115&size=1035626"},{"para_id":"100.1934","title":"Chapter 43\u2014Feelings of Despondency","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0177_eng_m_chapter_43_feelings_of_despondency_100_1934.mp3#duration=476&size=3923468"},{"para_id":"100.1959","title":"Chapter 44\u2014Specific Light on Gardening","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0181_eng_m_chapter_44_specific_light_on_gardening_100_1959.mp3#duration=175&size=1513855"},{"para_id":"100.1970","title":"Chapter 45\u2014Balanced Counsel on Picture-making and Idolatry","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0184_eng_m_chapter_45_balanced_counsel_on_picture_making_and_idolatry_100_1970.mp3#duration=190&size=1636396"},{"para_id":"100.1978","title":"Chapter 46\u2014Music and the Music Director","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0185_eng_m_chapter_46_music_and_the_music_director_100_1978.mp3#duration=505&size=4155390"},{"para_id":"100.2002","title":"Chapter 47\u2014Work in the Spirit of Prayer","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0188_eng_m_chapter_47_work_in_the_spirit_of_prayer_100_2002.mp3#duration=187&size=1611867"},{"para_id":"100.2014","title":"Chapter 48\u2014The Bible Prophets Wrote for Our Time","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0190_eng_m_chapter_48_the_bible_prophets_wrote_for_our_time_100_2014.mp3#duration=228&size=1940869"},{"para_id":"100.2022","title":"Chapter 49\u2014Can All Have the Gift of Prophecy?","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0192_eng_m_chapter_49_can_all_have_the_gift_of_prophecy_100_2022.mp3#duration=180&size=1553418"},{"para_id":"100.2031","title":"Chapter 50\u2014Disparaging the Pioneers","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0193_eng_m_chapter_50_disparaging_the_pioneers_100_2031.mp3#duration=702&size=5733800"},{"para_id":"100.2064","title":"Chapter 51\u2014Attacks on Ellen White and Her Work","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0195_eng_m_chapter_51_attacks_on_ellen_white_and_her_work_100_2064.mp3#duration=561&size=4601709"},{"para_id":"100.2097","title":"Chapter 52\u2014Sinlessness and Salvation","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0199_eng_m_chapter_52_sinlessness_and_salvation_100_2097.mp3#duration=570&size=4673797"},{"para_id":"100.2131","title":"Chapter 53\u2014Study the Testimonies","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0206_eng_m_chapter_53_study_the_testimonies_100_2131.mp3#duration=356&size=2958637"},{"para_id":"100.2883","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0213_eng_m_introduction_100_2154.mp3#duration=75&size=713442"},{"para_id":"100.2884","title":"Chapter 54\u2014The Mackin Case","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0214_eng_m_chapter_54_the_mackin_case_100_2884.mp3#duration=2034&size=16390255"},{"para_id":"100.2885","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0219_eng_m_introduction_100_2278.mp3#duration=288&size=2416917"},{"para_id":"100.2886","title":"Chapter 55\u2014Lessons From Meeting the Sunday Law Crisis of the Late 1880's and Early 1890's","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0220_eng_m_chapter_55_lessons_from_meeting_the_sunday_law_crisis_of_the_late_1880__100_2886.mp3#duration=2605&size=20958065"},{"para_id":"100.2424","title":"Chapter 56\u2014As We Near the End","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0227_eng_m_chapter_56_as_we_near_the_end_100_2424.mp3#duration=1325&size=10715109"},{"para_id":"100.2500","title":"Chapter 57\u2014The Last Great Struggle","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0240_eng_m_chapter_57_the_last_great_struggle_100_2500.mp3#duration=2661&size=21402869"},{"para_id":"100.2916","title":"Appendix A","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0255_eng_m_appendix_a_100_2630.mp3#duration=1454&size=11750444"},{"para_id":"100.2719","title":"Appendix B","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0258_eng_m_appendix_b_100_2719.mp3#duration=633&size=5180761"},{"para_id":"100.2752","title":"Appendix C","mp3":"\/mp3\/100\/0263_eng_m_appendix_c_100_2752.mp3#duration=1880&size=15154736"}]
