EVER GET DISCOURAGED? I sure do. In fact I woke up this morning feeling discouraged. It feels like the world is against me and I’m overcome with feelings of “nobody really likes me”. Sometimes I get discouraged because of my past regrets and sometimes I get discouraged because God so clearly has NOT answered my prayers and cries for help.
I get discouraged when I put too much trust in people and expect them to do or say something that I’ve been longing to hear or they think and say something about me that’s not true; they falsely accuse me of having evil intentions. I get discouraged when I focus on my circumstances and do not keep my eyes on the Lord. Discouragement is a real feeling and it’s a real tool of the enemy to come against the child of God. If you let it sink it, discouragement will press you down and it can hinder you from doing what the Lord has called you to do.
“I would have lost heart (fainted), unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalms 27:13-14
“Even the best saints are subject to faint when their troubles become grievous and tedious; their spirits are overwhelmed, and their flesh and heart fail; but then faith is a sovereign cordial: it keeps them from desponding under their burdens; it keeps them hoping, and praying, and waiting; it maintains in them honourable thoughts of God, and an expectation of relief in due time.” Benson Commentary
David had almost lost all heart, but he remembered God’s Word and in that Word he hoped. Discouragement does not have to control you and it will if you allow yourself to swim in it. But discouragement can be overcome by faith in the Lord and in His Word. Faith anchors us in our trials and tribulations. Here’s what I do, I find scripture that encourages me in the Lord. I find out what God says about any given situation and then I simply trust His Word. I renew my mind and hold fast. The Word has power to give life if you let it penetrate your heart,
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalms 34:17-19
I pray that if you are discouraged today that Jesus will lift your spirit and whisper truth in your ear. Spend some time studying the Word of truth and let the Word of God penetrate your heart. Have faith in God. At some point, you have to arise out of your depressed position. The enemy does not have to destroy your life to have the victory over you. He just has to keep you in a depressed position and he has already won. Arise and shine! Hold on to the promises of God and wait on Him. He knows your pains, He cares and He will answer in a mighty way in due time. In the meantime, you have work to do.
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page