A few life experiences result in discouragement among individuals, ranging from failed plans, relationships, businesses, health, spiritual, and more.As a result of failed plans, a few changed course to their detriment, while others accepted their situation and moved on. A man like Thomas Edison was resolute in his determination for invention and never gave up in the middle of failure, lost jobs; but persisted until he realized his dream as a renowned inventor who applied for hundreds of patents on both big and small projects, which eventually earned him his fortune and fame.
Adversity, according to the scripture, turns a man mad many become victims of lost hope, pain and sometimes meddle with different stuff of adverse outcomes. Life is never a bed of roses. Our example Jesus faced lots of ordeals, likewise the renowned men of God in the Bible. The Lord always has us in mind and assured us that life’s challenges are not uncommon and to toughen up with the assurance He is always behind us. As we read and get familiar with the scriptures, we find many supportive scriptures that strengthen the believer’s progress. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Nehemiah, a Jewish exile in Babylon, obtained favor from the king to rebuild his nation with broken walls and burnt gates. One will wonder why this favor? As one reads the book of Nehemiah, we discover Nehemiah had a close relationship with God. He walked with God, called on Him for the bad news, and the Lord stirred the king’s heart to help him in a time of need. Nehemiah went on the project with the king’s support. Halfway into the project, the enemy showed up with plans to frustrate the work. Nehemiah could stay in discouragement, but because he was in tune with the Lord, he connected to his source of victory, looked up, and received strength from the Lord to continue, and he completed the project. (The book of Nehemiah).
The man David appreciated the practice of looking up, he said in Psalm 121, “I will lift my eyes to the hills From whence comes my help?” My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121: 1-2).
The devil uses discouragement to limit the individual’s spiritual strength. David and his men were out to assist in a battle. When they got back, they found some people raided the whole city. The families they left behind were captured, and the town burnt. They all wept until they could no longer weep, and David’s men were ready to stone Him. At this point, David wiped his tears and remembered to look up, asked God if he should pursue the enemies; God answered him and said, “pursue, overtake, and recover all.” (1 Samuel 30:8).
What Kind of Enemies Are You Fighting at the Moment?
We all have different battles set up by the enemy who wants to hinder our joy with God. The enemy can be ill health, finances, unfavorable habits, relationships, and anything that gets in the way of our happiness and peace with God. Blind Bartimaeus was blind; he heard Jesus was passing through, he called on Jesus, “And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. (Luke 18:38). The crowd and voices discouraged Him, suggested to him the Lord was busy; the Bible gave the account, “he cried the more.” He did not settle for the voices of discouragement and impossibility. He made up His mind to achieve his goal and have Jesus come to his rescue. (Luke 18: 35-44). The Lord loves Blind Bartimaeus’ type of attitude, and Jesus sent for him. Don’t focus on the trouble; look up! “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15).
David cried his eyes out in sorrow until he could not cry any longer. The moment he remembered to look up, he sought God’s face; the Lord gave him the solution. Many suffer discouragement from following the Lord because they find he may not be a quick-fix, but God’s timing; they resolve to other means which can only give temporary satiety and detrimental in the end. Christians can learn the word “WAIT” no matter how long while waiting for God to renew our strength. During the process, He grooms his children into His image. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. “(1 Corinthians 10:13). Waiting on the Lord is worthwhile. “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).
What to Do When Discouraged
Call upon Him like all the men in the scripture; David, Nehemiah, Blind Bartimaeus, and many more. “When I cry unto the Lord, then my enemies will turn back. This I know because God is for me. In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:9-11).
The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).
How to Call Upon Him
If you are not yet surrendering to the Lord (born again), confess and repent of your sin; ask Him into your life. (Revelations 3:20). Live a life of walking with the Lord, update in the Word of God through a daily devotion of reading the Bible and prayers. Familiarizing with the Word exposes you to the majestic features of our God, the information He is dependable, and many more. Apply the relevance of the scripture through obedience, the walk of faith, and submission to the Holy Spirit with whom you had the seal when you were born again. As you walk in fellowship with God, the Holy Spirit reminds, assists you to connect with the Lord in time of trouble, teaches you to remember, and live out the scripture in prayer. When you call upon God, praise Him for who He is, for example, as Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 20. You may use some praise and worship songs; all are to originate as passion from the heart, “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50:23). Be careful about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6).
Finally, in the way you stay physically fit such as perform a physical exercise; likewise, keep active in the spirit by performing spiritual routine, such as live the life of watching and praying, daily reading of the Bible so you may live the life of an overcomer. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Spiritual fitness (Intimacy with God) is an antidote to discouragement.