Discouraged
There are times when you get some news that hurts your heart or makes you sad and bummed out. This to me is the very definition of discouragement. This happened to me a few times this past week. I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. It is way too easy to put my trust in people and in things. I’ve learned over the years that people with let you down and things just break. The ONLY One dependable is the Lord. He never leaves me. He never takes a break. He doesn’t change His mind about me. He is faithful. He is consistent. He is ridiculous with His Love.
The descendants of Korah wrote some of the Psalms. This one for the choir director, speaks to discouragement and the remedy for it. Check this out…
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and 6 my God!
7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life. (Psalm 42:5,7-8 NLT)
I’m learning that discouragement is easy, but in the midst of it, there is a reason to be encouraged. The encouragement is sometimes hidden behind or underneath the discouragement. Discouragement can be loud, while encouragement can be quiet and gentle. The Word of God is often full of encouragement because it brings perspective on my life and my position.
I have to view my life in the light of my purpose here. There are many people that I work with or around, who don’t see their purpose. It’s easy to get lost in discouragement, when my mission is unclear. If I’m here to bring glory only to me, discouragement is around every corner. If I’m here to bring honor and glory to God, the opportunities are endless, even when faced with discouragement. I march to the “beat of a different drum” than others listen to. I want to “keep time” with the Lord’s heart-beat or “drum beat” for my life. Listening to Him keeps me from drowning in discouragement and helps me discover where encouragement has been hidden.
Pressing On!
Dwayne