Overcoming Discouragement!
TEXT: 1 Kings 19:4 - But he himself went a day's journey into the
wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree.tAnd he asked that he might die, saying, "It is
enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my
fathers.”
Introduction: God had used Elijah’s mouth to warn the
people and to
suppress idol worship. Queen
Jezebel placed a death warrant on Elijah’s life. He fled in dismay at his own
weakness. Elijah felt so alone and was so discouraged:
Have you ever felt like
Elijah as his soul was in anguish under the tree? It is no disgrace to be
discouraged; however, the Bible identifies several ways we can overcome
discouragement.
1. Remember that you are not
alone. God told Elijah that there were seven thousand people who had not
worshiped Baal (1 Kgs 19:18).
The Lord told Paul on a ship
tossed with waves that he was not alone (Acts 27:23-26). For this very night qthere rstood before me san angel of the God tto
whom I belong and uwhom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; vyou must stand before Caesar. And behold, wGod has granted you all those who sail with
you.’ 25 So
take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been
told.26 But xwe must yrun aground on some island.”
Discouragement rarely wants
companionship. Talk with God and with your fellow Christians; give and receive
encouragement.
2. Know that God is in
control. When it looks like all creation is breaking loose and chaos runs
rampant with its feverish fury, know that God is still on His Throne in Heaven.
The psalmist said, "I know the Lord will maintain” (Ps. 140:12). Solomon said
that the righteous will come
through trouble (Prov. 12:13). God said, "I will never leave you nor forsake
you.”
People ask: Where was God
when this happened?
3. Speak a kind word to
others. Discouragement muffles the pleasant words of encouragement. Force
yourself to say good things to those around you and your mind will remember
that you have a good heart to speak good words. The wise man said
that anxiety in the heart of
man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad (Prov. 12:25).
4. Let God’s Word remain in
your heart. We will suffer no persecution which is unfamiliar to God.
Persecution will come but the awe of God’s Word will remain in our hearts (Ps.
119:161).
Princes persecute me swithout cause, but my heart tstands in awe of your words.
5. Do not give up hope.
Deferred hope makes our heart sick (Prov. 13:12). Jesus hasn’t given up on us
so why should we give up on Him? He promised— "I am with you always” (Matt.
28:20).
1. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
DAILY - The writer of Hebrews admonishes us with these words, "But encourage
one another daily” (Heb. 3:13). In other words, encourage others on a regular
basis. Take advantage of every opportunity you have because the need is always
great. You don’t have to go very far into the day to find someone in your
network of people who needs a word of encouragement.
2. ENCOURAGE OTHERS WITHOUT
DELAY - The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, "...while it is called Today”
(Hebrews 3:13). Why are we to encourage one another without delay? Go back to
Hebrews 3:12, for the answer—"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an
evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).
Delay can be deadly for the
person who needs to be encouraged. Why? If Christians do not exhort one another
daily they will be in danger of being hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin, therefore it should be the great concern of everyone to encourage himself
and others to beware of sin. "Without delay” is to act upon encouraging someone
immediately.
APPLICATION: Ways we can
encourage others.
1. Become aware of what
encourages you and do the same things for
others. Knowing what a big
difference encouragement makes in your own
life will help you help
others when the going gets tough.
2. Encourage other Christians
with a reminder of Christ’s coming. It redirects our thinking to an eternal
perspective and ultimate deliverance from sin and death. Encourage other
believers with a reminder of Christ’s coming. "Then we who are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the
air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another
with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:17b-18).
3. When you see someone
making positive changes in their lives, affirm
them. "You seem to have a
really great attitude about…” "It may be that
I’m just starting to take
notice, but I see that you’re…” "Do you think that
you are becoming more…?”
4. Write someone a note to
tell them that you’re praying for them. Tell
them what you’re praying. You
can pray specific Scriptures for individuals
such as Rom.15:13, "Now may
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may
abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”