Jumping out of Satan’S Lie Pot and Landing in God’S Truth

By Emma Warren

Do you feel mired in the pit of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair? Do you struggle in your everyday Christian walk? In Jumping Out of Satans Lie Pot and Landing in Gods Truth, author Emma Warren uses her thirty-five-year, roller-coaster battle with depression to show you how to crawl out of the pit and land in Gods grace.

Based on the principles of the Word of God, Jumping Out of Satans Lie Pot and Landing in Gods Truth unpacks the nine lies Satan perpetrated on Emma during her struggles with depression, such as depression is a physical illness, and it must be treated by doctors and pills; dying is the only way out; and God doesnt love you. She discusses the temporary solutions she used to deal with her depression, details how God brought her out of the pit, and tells how she landed in Gods truth.

Emmas testimony describes how Satan robbed her of joy, peace, contentment, and love, and how Gods truth set her free one lie at a time. Jumping Out of Satans Lie Pot and Landing in Gods Truth communicates how God has blessed her tenfold and more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475914450

Emma Warren

Emma Warren has been a Christian most of her life, but in the last 10 years she’s experienced a significant change in her faith. While leading her weekly women’s Bible study, she models her training in Christian counseling to help others in a more personal way. She now offers her story to help even more, in this her debut book. She and husband Ernie have two daughters, six grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren. Emma lives in Hamilton, Ohio.

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Copyright © 2012 by Emma Warren.

Author Credits: The back cover copy God can take your worthless, slimy clay that just clings to everything and make it into something beautiful—into his image. Yes, I’d call that beautiful!! There is nothing more beautiful than a heart that is yielded in faithful obedience to God.

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All scripture quotes are from the King James Version (KJV).

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-1447-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-1446-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-1445-0 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906990

iUniverse rev. date: 05/04/2012

Contents

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgements

The Most Needed Message

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Never Forsaken

The Beginning, Not the End: A Loving Tribute

Dedication

This book is dedicated to three very special people in my life; my husband Ernie, my knight in shining armor; our daughter Debi, our eldest, and a princess; and our baby girl, Missy, also a princess. You have shown me nothing but love, and respect, even in my darkest hours. You have put-on the love of Jesus during this horrible time of my life. May I show that same love to each of you every day our Lord Jesus allows me to live. You three are such a blessing to me. Thanks to each of you for reading the manuscript and giving me an encouraging two thumbs up. I love you bunches!!

Foreword

Have you ever found yourself sitting in an amazing seat? Maybe at a concert, a ball game, a restaurant on a special evening—and where you sat was every bit as much of the experience as the event you went for. You could see better, hear everything, and really soak in the experience.

I have, too. A ball game here, a concert there—but from my seat now as a 50+ year old husband, father, friend, counselor, pastor, follower of God I’ve been able to see and hear details of people’s stories that still cause me awe.

Emma Warren is my mother-in-law. I was at her house and took the call from the hospital that said her husband—about whom you’ll read soon—had coded and was gravely ill. I had to tell her that news, and then drive her to the hospital, and then watch her see for herself. I wasn’t sure just what to expect, nor how I should best prepare for the coming events.

Many of the events and stories you’ll read about on the next few pages I’ve seen first hand. I’ve seen Emma go through the feelings and improper thinking she will describe. I’ve had conversations with her, listened to her and Ernie, talked with the girls, and wondered about it all myself. As I walked the hall listening to the hospital tell me the grim news, I expected a relapse from Emma as soon as I told her the news.

So I had the conversation, drove the way-too-long trip to the hospital, and just knew the dam would burst anytime now. But what I saw from my seat was the epitome of God’s grace being given—but more notably being received. Emma received the news through natural and normal tears, and then shared with the reporting doctor and staff from the well of confidence she had in her own soul the unexplainable goodness of God’s Hand.

And the doctor cried.

It’s been half a year now since that fall day. There have been a few instances of those natural tears and the sadness of loneliness. But there has also been a constant graciousness around Emma Warren, and I’ve seen it myself. From my seat, these last six months are the sequel to this book.

The book is the story of her journey—but from my seat I’ve seen the validation of her conclusions from that story. While I miss my friend and father-in-law, I’m not sure I would have believed what I’ve seen from my seat if he hadn’t passed.

I have to conclude by thanking a couple friends. A few years ago I took Biblical Counseling classes offered by Clearcreek Chapel as part of my pursuit of NANC certification. There Pastor Russ Kennedy and Pastor Greg Cook taught me, shepherded me, counseled me, and befriended me. Their impact on my life through the practical application of God’s Word became a common topic in my conversation. Ernie seemed interested, and a couple years after I had completed the course, he decided it may be worth his time, too. With no compelling reason to stay at home during the classes, Emma went—perhaps for the companionship if nothing else. The exposure to those classes along with the work of the Holy Spirit pricked Emma’s heart and set her on a course to help women in her church.

The essence of her story in this book solidified in those years of classes. Russ and Greg did the same for Ernie and her as they did for me. The results were—and are—amazing.

I’ve seen it clearly and in person from my front row seat.

Charlie Fehrman

lead pastor, The Pointe Community Church

Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge a few people who have helped make this a better book for you to read. Their help has given it any order and excellence you may find.

To Charlie Schweizer, Marty and Norma Hall; you have spent many hours pouring over my manuscript, and we are still friends! I owe each of you many packages of red markers! I love and appreciate you guys.

To my pastor, Scott Miller, and his wife Jodi; you encouraged me years ago to write for our ladies newsletter. Thank you for believing in me. Jodi, thanks for all the hours on the computer helping me get the book together; I couldn’t have done it without you. Pastor, I thank you for your teaching which has been very helpful to me through the years. You two make a dynamic team. I love you guys.

To Donna Miller for the biblical counseling you gave me during my journey out of depression. You have truly put-on Jesus in your life and in your counseling. Thank you also for reading my manuscript, offering changes, and encouraging me to go with it. You are truly beautiful inside and out. God has gifted you with a great ability to counsel. I love you.

To my granddaughter Sarah for the many excellent changes you helped me make in my book. It is such a blessing and joy to see the beautiful Christian young lady you have become. It seems like only yesterday you were the cute little two-year-old toddler with long blond pigtails, learning that contentment is Happy what you have (your words). Where has the time gone? May God continue to bless you as you serve him in Korea. Hurry home soon; I miss the sweet gentleness of your voice. I am so proud you call me Grandma. I love you bunches!!

The Most Needed Message

Jumping Out of Satan’s Lie Pot and Landing in God’s Truth is a book about depression. Hopefully, as you read it, the things written will help you, especially if you are in the depths of depression. But I must tell you, the things written in this book are not going to change your life or your heart if you do not have a personal relationship with the Heart Changer, Jesus Christ Himself. This heart (life) change can only be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit and His word. The word says in Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It truly has power to change the heart of a sinful man or woman.

The Bible can only be understood by someone who has the Holy Spirit living inside their heart. Jumping Out of Satan’s Lie Pot is based on the principles of the word of God. So if you haven’t asked the Lord Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior, this book will not be of much help to you. God promises in his word (the Bible), that For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life John 3:16. You may ask, How do I believe? Salvation is recognizing that you are a sinner on your way to Hell, then believing and trusting in God; that’s the faith part. That’s what John 3:16 means. God gave his only Son so you can have everlasting life, and all you have to do is believe in him. Salvation is not something we can do on our own. It is about believing and then trusting in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. It is a free gift. Jesus paid our sin debt on the cross. After we accept him as our Savior, we can begin to . . . grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18) as we make a public profession of our faith through baptism and become involved in a local church. You may think, I don’t know how to pray and ask God to save me. The prayer is simple—I’ll help you. Say something like this; God, I am a sinner, and I have sinned against you. I ask you to forgive me for all my sins. I believe Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, and his death paid for my sins. Come into my heart Lord Jesus and save me. Come into my life and lead me. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen. I pray that you will say Yes to Jesus and allow him to begin to work in your life. It’s the best life possible!

After you pray this prayer, you may think, "I’m not sure the prayer worked. I don’t feel saved. I don’t know if I said it correctly." These thoughts are coming from the keeper of the lie pot, Mister Satan himself. You can come back at Satan with the word of God. Say to him, ‘Get thee behind me Satan. John 3:16 said, ‘Whosoever believeth in him shall be saved,’ and I am whosoever, and I believed. Do this and the Holy Spirit who now resides in your heart will cause Satan to flee. Get in the word and learn God’s sweet promises, then practice them. Satan will fight you every step of the way, but you will learn God is greater and more powerful than Satan.

—Emma Warren

Hamilton, Ohio

Introduction

Jumping Out of Satan’s Lie Pot is for a hopeless person in the pit of depression, or the one who is struggling to have a more intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus. If you would like to learn some principles from the word of God, or find encouragement in practicing what you already know, this book is for you.

I believe the Lord Jesus has tugged at my heart strings to write this book. I have been very transparent in sharing my life’s story with you, and some of the things I’ve shared have been very difficult to reveal; I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t believe it was God’s will.

You may ask, Why would you share such intimate things with a stranger? Well, first of all, out of obedience to my Lord, and secondly, it has been my prayer from the first word I typed, down to the last, that someone would be saved, or a life would be changed. If either of those things happened to just one person, then being transparent will have been worth it.

May God guide you and give you the grace to accept the change he has for your life. His ways are so much better than our way of doing things. He brings peace, contentment, and satisfaction with his change, and I might add it’s a lasting change. Listen for his still small voice as he speaks to you as you read this book. Try his way; you won’t be sorry that you did, and you won’t ever be the same.

Chapter One

* * *

In the Beginning

Once upon a time, many years ago, I married my strong, handsome knight in shining armor. Those beautiful blue eyes did the trick for me. This was a wonderful time in our life. I remember how excited I was in our first apartment, shopping for all the little knick-knacks that make it look adorable; I loved to decorate. I enjoyed cooking for my knight, loving him, doing all the things that make a house a home.

Right away we found out we were starting our family. This was something we hadn’t planned on happening so soon after marriage, but our first big surprise was that we were expecting a baby! I wasn’t excited about adding to our new family. Over the next few weeks I kept thinking, "Maybe you’re not really having a baby, maybe Mother Nature is just messed up a little." Well, she hadn’t messed up; the doctor confirmed my suspicion. So, we were going to have a baby, but I still wasn’t overjoyed with the prospect.

And then, that mommy’s love syndrome kicked in. I started falling so in love with this little person growing inside me. Each day my love for our baby grew. I was so excited! I started buying clothes for when I would outgrow my regular ones, and in my mind I would think of things to get for our baby, and I wondered what the baby would look like. Would it have those beautiful blue eyes of my handsome knight? Would it be a boy or girl? My excitement and happiness grew by leaps and bounds. The disappointment I felt when I learned of the baby was long, long gone.

And then, about two and one half months into my pregnancy, I began feeling not very well. I didn’t know what was wrong, but I remember missing a week of work because of it. By Saturday evening I felt quite sick, and I got out of bed, and as I stood up, water and blood gushed out of my body. This scared me to death. I lay back down on the bed and called Ernie, my husband, to our bedroom. He said, "Get up; we need to go to the hospital." I told him I couldn’t get up. He thought I couldn’t walk, but I just meant I was afraid I would gush again. Anyway, he picked me up and carried me through the deep snow to our car. We had just received one of those cold, wintry, deep snows that the month of February is known for.

The doctor at the hospital examined me. I don’t know what they did, but it felt as if they were pulling my insides out. I didn’t know I could ask them what they were doing. I was so young and inexperienced. To make matters worse, all of this was happening on my birthday.

Anyway, the doctor and nurses sent me back home after they finished doing their thing. Around 3 o’clock Sunday morning, Ernie woke me to take some medicine the doctor at the hospital had given me, and when I stood, I passed some tissue.

I remember my parents and some of our family came over to our apartment the Sunday this happened. At that time we hadn’t talked to our doctor about the matter I had passed in the bedroom earlier that morning, but we were pretty sure it was our baby. Ernie was able to get our doctor on the phone, and he said, Yes, that was your baby. When Ernie told me what the doctor said, my world came crashing down. My precious little one was gone. No bundle of joy would be placed in my arms in a few months. No, my arms would be empty. No baby to rock and hold close, no fingers and toes to count, no wondering, Does he look like mommy or daddy? Does he have those beautiful blue eyes like my knight? There would be no name to tell or Is it a girl or boy? to answer. There was no chance to hold my baby and at least say Goodbye. I was aching through and through.

As my heart was breaking, Ernie tried his best to comfort me. He gently promised, We can have another baby (men always try to fix things!). I told him, "I don’t want another baby. I want my baby. Bless his heart, he was trying his best. And what saddened me more, I heard my sister-in-law from the other room ask, Why is she crying?" I don’t know if she thought since I didn’t have a baby to be seen, there never was a baby. I believe life in my baby began the moment he was conceived, and my baby died somewhere along the way, maybe the beginning of the week when I started becoming so sick.

Through my many years of depression, is this where the first seed was dropped? I know the death of our baby germinated and grew over the years and was watered with guilt and sadness. Questions began; "Did I do something to injure my baby? I always wondered, Was it a girl or boy?" Those two questions haunted me over the years; I never