Often in this life, we will have bouts of discouragement. Our lives are lived in a sinful body that is heavily influenced by our emotions. This is not necessarily a bad thing. God made us emotional beings. We experience the birth of a baby, and we are elated with joy. We experience the death of a loved one and we are overcome with sorrow. These examples show extreme highs and lows. However, most of us live daily somewhere in the middle. It is those small discouragements that we seem to allow to build until we make decisions based on the negative side of things rather than the positive. So, how do we deal with the daily discouragements of life?
For the Christian, we are to always look to scripture. I believe every situation in life gives us an opportunity to grow and learn about God and about ourselves. If we are not careful, we will make rash decisions that are not honoring to Christ. So, what are some verses or biblical principles that will keep us from jumping off the ledge when we’ve climbed out to the edge?
The first question that comes to mind is for whom am I living? Anyone who knows much about the Christian faith would know the correct answer is God, but knowing the answer doesn’t always determine our response to discouragement. However, when we look to His word our purpose becomes clear. In I Corinthians 10:31, Paul teaches us that all we do, ALL, not some, is to be done to His glory. It’s not about pleasing others. It’s about doing God’s work and living our lives to honor Him. Jesus had many followers wherever He went, but as the saying goes, they were there for the show. Yet, I wonder how many became true followers because they were curious about Him. Isn’t that usually how it starts? We are curious, so we find out a little about Him. Then the Holy Spirit convicts us using the knowledge we’ve gained. Jesus was always doing what would please the Father no matter the response from others. He was our example in John 6:38, and John 8:29, He was doing the will of the Father. In Colossians 3:23, Paul teaches us that we are to live the same way. What we do is to be done with all our hearts for Him. No holding back, we are to serve in full throttle mode. Others may or may not reap the benefit, but we do it for God alone.
I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God”
John 6:38 “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
John 8:29 “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”
Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
Second, we need to recognize the attacks from the evil one. Discouragement, when we are serving with our whole heart, is not of God. Satan wants us to give up, to throw in the towel, and stop pushing forward in ministry. Ministry is anything we do that seeks to draw others to Christ. His design is to get our eyes off of God and start looking at ourselves. He wants us to measure our ministries by what others do or say, not by what God says. He comes to us when we are tired or stressed, he knows how we have responded in times past to similar situations and he uses that to hinder our progress. Elijah is a notable example of this type of discouragement. After great victories for God, Jezebel threatened the life of Elijah. He was tired, stressed, and afraid. He reacted much as we would react, he ran. He was so discouraged it had escalated to fear. In I Kings 19:4, he asks God to take His life. The only way to fight this is through His word. Jesus taught us this by example. When Satan tempted Him, He quoted scripture. Each attempt Satan made in Matthew 4:4, 4:7, and 4:10 got bolder to tempt Jesus to sin. Each time Jesus quoted scripture from Deuteronomy.
I Kings 19:4 “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”
Deuteronomy 8:3b “that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”
Deuteronomy 6:16a “Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God,”
Deuteronomy 6:13 “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.”
Third, we need to spend more time in prayer. Talking to the Father is always the best way to find direction, calm our soul, and gain strength. When we feel weak and discouraged, we are to pray for the strength that God has promised in Isaiah 41:10. We are not to be dismayed if our trust is in Him. We are to pray without ceasing as we are instructed in I Thessalonians 5:17. This keeps our focus on God and what He can do, not on ourselves.
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
Luke 22:40 “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.”
I love the words of pastor/author Warren Wiersbe speaking about the remedy for discouragement. He said “The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength.”
When you feel what your doing is of no value, remember who you are doing it for. Remember only He can give the increase and He will do it in His time, not ours.
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
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