Sometimes I get irritated with myself because I know something is true
with my head but I don’t act as if it’s true with my heart. Have you been
there?
Take discouragement. I know in my head it is one of the enemy’s most
effective tools against the people of God. I know if he can get us
discouraged, experiencing defeat is right around the corner.
I also know in my head that everyone experiences discouragement. How many
children’s teachers, youth leaders, adult life group leaders have dreams
of seeing spiritual growth among those they teach and lead only to become
discouraged and quit? How many pastors have I met that get involved in a
power struggle within their churches who become discouraged and lose
heart? (A lot of them)
How many men and women enter the world of business with big goals and
high expectations but end up experiencing discouragement? How many
singles are discouraged in their relationships? How many people enter a
marriage but soon become discouraged with each other and marriage itself?
So, if I know discouragement is the enemy’s tool and everyone experiences
it, then why do I succumb to it so easily? Why do I allow my heart to be
overwhelmed with discouragement when I know in my mind these things about
how discouragement works?
I think the answer is forgetfulness. I forget that God is faithful to
provide encouragement. I forget that discouragement makes me feel
detached from God and it’s at that moment I must chase after God. (Read
Psalm 42:1-2, 6)
I also forget that God gives me hope. The Psalmist says “The Lord will
send His faithful love by day, His song will be with me in the night – a
prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8) Putting hope in God reminds
us of His presence even in the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23)
I also let discouragement overwhelm me when I forget His grace is
sufficient for me today, right now and every day. (Take a moment and read
2 Corinthians 12:9)
Brennan Manning, one of my favorite authors writes “Suffering failure,
loneliness, sorrow, discouragement and death will be part of your
journey, but the kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil
can resist grace forever.”
The hard work is to remember what we forget. Fill your mind with the
encouragement of God and it will transfer down to your heart. Don’t
forget!
Blessings,
P.S If you have ever had someone judge you, misunderstand you, shun you,
condemn you, blame you, reject you, you will not want to miss out on this
Sunday’s message “To judge or not to judge? That is the question.”
Join me at 9:15am or 11:00am and discover how to be graceful; being
a person everyone wants and needs.
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