The Professional Christian's Guide to Justifying Defeat

Tried-and-True Scriptural Defenses for Staying Comfortably Defeated

Listen, zealous believers who dare to suggest we should overcome and live victoriously, let me share some tried-and-true scriptural defenses for staying comfortably defeated:

Remember Paul's thorn? If an apostle couldn't get rid of his burden, who are you to think you should overcome yours? Sure, Paul also wrote about being more than conquerors, but let's cherry-pick the parts that justify our defeat.

Jesus clearly said we'd have troubles in this world. What? He also said "but take heart, I have overcome the world"? Let's just focus on the first part, it's easier that way.

Want to be like Jesus? Then suffer! Of course, He suffered to set us free while advancing God's kingdom, but let's not get picky with context. Your defeated lifestyle of anxiety and depression is basically the same thing, right?

"God uses broken vessels," we say, clutching our brokenness like a security blanket. Why pursue healing when we can spiritualize our dysfunction? After all, telling people "I'm just a broken vessel" sounds so much more holy than actually allowing God to restore us.

Or, Perhaps We've Been Masterfully Twisting Scripture

What if we've been using Scripture like a prisoner uses chains, to justify staying bound when the door is actually wide open?

• Paul's thorn taught dependence on God's grace, not acceptance of defeat
• Jesus spoke of troubles to showcase His victory, not mandate our defeat
• Suffering for Christ means advancing His kingdom, not accepting depression
• Being broken vessels means allowing God to restore us, not staying shattered
• God's strength in weakness means boasting in His power, not glorifying defeat
• Taking up our cross means dying to self to live in victory, not endless misery

It is finished.John 19:30

You're not broken. you were crucified with Christ. Your old self is dead. You're not trying to prove your worth. You are already chosen, anointed, and appointed.