GUARD AGAINST DISCOURAGEMENT

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

                                                                                                1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)

As we go through life, the need for us to encourage ourselves in the Lord increases with the heavy bolts of discouragements that we sometimes face when our expectations do not align with our experiences. A lot of people have experienced failure in life not because their expectations were not met, but because they gave in to discouragement. Failure is not an end in itself; it is only a bend on our way to accomplishing whatever we set our hearts on.

In the context where our opening scripture was taken, David went ahead to recover the things that were taken from him after he refused to give in to discouragement. Consider how many times in your life you’ve had to stop attempting a thing because you experienced failure in it. You shouldn’t have stopped. You might feel like ending your life on earth because of the numerous challenges you are going through, but I say to you, do not! Hold on a little; give yourself a second chance with experiencing success in life.

Discouragement is a feeling of despair in the face of obstacles; it is the expression of opposition and disapproval. There are two consequences of giving in to discouragement:

1.    Discouragement weakens our spiritual feet thus impeding progress: Hebrew 12:12;  Numbers 32:7-9.

2.      Discouragement can cause us to speak against God: Numbers 21:4-7.

The second consequence of giving in to discouragement is more fatal than the first. The children of Israel experienced death because they spoke against God. A generation didn’t enter the Promised Land because of discouragement. We shouldn’t lose faith in God because of the negative experiences in our lives; rather, encourage yourself in the Lord.

There are two ways by which we can encourage ourselves in the Lord: Speaking to yourself and Counting your blessing. Whenever you find yourself in a discouraging situation, speak positive words to yourself: talk-up your soul.

“Counting your blessing” means to deliberately identify God’s blessings in your life. If you stop to consider the good things in your life, you will be encouraged to know that you can still experience yet another and praise will spontaneously pour out of your mouth towards God. Remember, the joy of the Lord is your strength. .

CONFESSION

I thank you Father for the good things you have given me in Christ Jesus. Thank you Lord for I am comforted in the reality that you care about me. I refrain from complaining and expressing faithlessness in you.

                                                                          

FURTHER READING

Psalm 42:11; Ephesians 5:19

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