DISCOURAGEMENT – THE DEBILITATING EMOTION THAT CAN DEVASTATE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty.
The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars,
and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one
left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
(1 Kings 19:10)

MEDITATION:
Discouragement can strike anyone at any time. It can be triggered
by a failure, by an unkind word from someone else, or any number
of other things we may experience. When some people experience
discouragement, they look for excuses for their gloominess. We hear
them say things like,
        “I just can’t help it, this is just the way I am”
    or
        “I don’t like being the way I am,
          but that’s how God made me”
Some blame God for not giving them enough of what they feel they
need.

Elijah was discouraged because many prophets had been killed and he
was the only one left. In addition, he was fearful because he knew that
others were planning to kill him too. He had a blurred perception of the
future and of God’s providential care. Discouragement had robbed the
prophet of his confidence in God’s love and His vision for him.

Rather than relying on God to provide for his needs, Elijah was having
a ‘pity party’. As we see later, Elijah was not alone. God was still with
him and provided encouragement even when everything seemed gloomy
and hopeless.
    Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose
    knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose
    mouths have not kissed him.”
    (1 Kings 19:18)

Elijah had misread his situation because he forgot about the
God who loved him and would be there for him in his time of
need. As a result, he became discouraged. If it can happen to
this prophet of God, it can happen to you and me, as well.

All of us can be subjected to discouragement which can sweep us into
a danger zone of sadness and even depression. But when that happens,
we must remind ourselves that God has answers for discouragement.

For us, His answer came in the flesh of Jesus Christ. We need to ‘claim’
our place in Christ. We need to choose today to move from an unhealthy
place of discouragement and possibly depression, to a place of confidence
and victory in Jesus. He can provide what we need in any situation!

When we belong to the Lord, we have our God-given right to take authority
over our situation, to rebuke the enemy, to overcome discouragement and to
take back our life. The answer for discouragement is not in what we have, or
what we can do, it is in the provisions from heaven, and the Lord Himself.

ACTION:
If you, or someone you know, are in a discouraged place, put that
discouragement in the hands of God. Get up from where you are
and start moving with a faith in God. Go for a walk and remind
yourself about the man or woman God has made you to be. One
drop of Jesus’ blood is more than enough to sustain us for a life
of faith in Him, and for victory over discouragement.

Maybe you’ve tried everything you can think of for overcoming
the discouragement in your life. Never forget about our loving
God who has the answers and solutions that we, and the world,
do not have. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, then
now is the time for seeking to ‘connect’ with Him.

If you have received salvation from the Lord, but for some reason
you have wandered away from Him, discouragement could be His
way of reminding you to ‘reconnect’ with Him. We have access to
His wisdom and guidance to help us in our time of need, especially
when we are feeling discouraged.
    Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me,
    you have believed; blessed are those who have not
    seen and yet have believed.”
    (John 20:29)

    Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even
    though you do not see him now, you believe in him and
    are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you
    are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of
    your souls.
    (1 Peter 1:8-9)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, no matter how busy I am, time alone with
You provides me with the stability I need to handle whatever
comes my way. Help me, Lord, to spend more time with You
and listen for Your words of encouragement. Remind me of
how You provide for all my needs, including the ability to be
victorious over discouragement. Prevent me from being a
victim who is controlled by discouragement and depression.
Teach me that sincere faith in You will release me from the
control of these two devastating emotions in my life.”

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