Jesus brings courage to the discouraged.
This was the core message from yesterday's sermon. I thought I would follow up with some practical pointers. Here a a few things I have found helpful in dealing with discouragement:
1) Identify what it is that is causing you to be discouraged. This may sound simplistic but have you ever felt in the dumps or unmotivated but are not sure why? I have. It helps me to do a little self-analysis and figure out what is the cause. Sometimes I find some goal I have (stated or subconscious) has been blocked. Sometimes I find that I have a stressed relationship in my life. Whatever it is, identify the source of the discouragement so that you can know what you need to do next.
2) Identify what you can and cannot control about the cause of your discouragement. For instance, if I have a blocked goal, is it blocked because of something I have done or not done? Is it caused by someone else or circumstances that are out of my control?
3) Take action on the things you can control and trust God with the things you can not. Actually we trust God no matter what but we need also to take personal responsibility for the things we can do. The things that are out of your control need to be taken to God and trust that he will make something good out of something that to you is frustrating (Romans 8:28). The things that you can control need to be addressed by asking, "What could I do differently that I have done to this point to overcome this obstacle." This is, of course, dependent on being convinced that the goal is honoring to God and a worthwhile goal.
4) Because often discouragment is seeded in personal desires, seek in both your mindset and your actions live out Philippians 2:1-4
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
5) Worship God knowing that your discouragement provides you the opportunity to trust him and to encouraged by him. Anytime our weaknesses give way to a demonstration of his strength is a reason to worship.
How about you? What have you found helpful in dealing with discouragement?
2) Identify what you can and cannot control about the cause of your discouragement (you stated). When someone comes to Jesus, it is assume that one has no control when it comes to salvation, life after death, spritual power to overcome sin, addiction. To love unconditionally, to live a pure and holy life. To raise up children to honor God, to live victorious as a Christian; Have a dynamic ministryMuch of what I stated and not stated depends greatly on God to act, to engage the life of a believer. Discouragement or disappointment is a result when one believes that God abandoned the believer , where there is emotional pain as a result that God is not there for me. Prayers go answered; one doubts that God can or will make his presence felt. One either feels that God is powerlesss or the believer thinks he has done something wrong and feels trap that others in the community judge his lack of faith or there is unconfess sin in one's life. Or perhaps a counselor will be able to patch things up.
If I can control my life and make good choices (with a dose of good genes) why go to God at all. If you put all your trust in a God that promise to love and care for the things that are truly important in this life but experience a silent God, you are left with only one choice ; what must I do to take control of my life and stop setting oneself up for future discouragement. Sam
Posted by: Sam | February 01, 2012 at 03:34 PM