Power of Discouragement

Key Scripture: “Do not be discouraged…”  Hebrews 12:5

Power Point:

SHHH!  Don’t let this get out.  This is for your ears only. Are you ready?

“Christians can get discouraged!”  There! I’ve said it.  The reason we have to keep this quiet is because most Christians have been told that if they are people of faith, then they must never never never get discouraged. Of course, we know that if we’re thinking the right things and saying the right things and believing the right things then discouragement should not happen. The naked ugly truth is that disappointment is a fact of life. At some point in your life, whether it’s in the next minute, the next month, or the next year, you will probably be disappointed. That happens when the things you’ve been dreaming and hoping for appear to be out of reach. Again.

The truth is, if you read the New Testament you’ll find warnings against discouragement. If they warn us against it, there must be an option, right?  We must have some semblance of control over whether we allow ourselves to fall into the pit of discouragement.

I heard someone say the other day: 

“Disappointment is inevitable. Discouragement is a choice.”

 I love the way the Amplified Bible talks about discouragement in Hebrews 12:3:

Just think of Him who endured such grievous opposition against Himself-reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials-so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting (in your minds).”

Discouragement is a nasty little weapon that Satan uses to keep us from receiving all that God has promised us. It works this way.  God gives us a promise. We get excited and hopeful. Satan manages to disappoint us in the very area where we have received God’s Word. He chokes the life out of it-that my friend is a normal course of events.

The next step is the really important part. If you allow yourself to become discouraged, lose heart, lose hope, and faint in your minds, he’s won the battle. That’s the bad news. The GOOD news is that you have a choice-so choose Life. Choose to be encouraged in your faith by surrounding yourself with “life options”. Surround yourself with people who will strengthen your faith. Surround yourself with music that stirs your soul. Surround yourself with the Word. Separate yourself from anything that will not strengthen you and run, do not walk straight back into the arms of your heavenly Father.

Ask Him to remind you of the promise, of His plan and of His goodness. He will, you know. Only listen to His voice, not all the other voices that continually whisper about the “impossibilities” in your life and tell them to “SHOO!”

That’s what Jesus did. It certainly worked for Him.

Power Thought:

Discouragement is simply losing your courage. Go back to the source of your strength and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Again. And again. And again.