Discouragement 2

Hey, my Yielded people! Great statistics on yesterday’s blog! Thank you for reading and for always showing up to read my work. I find it quite humbling that people would leave whatever they are doing and choose to read my blogs. So, thank you! Here’s your frowses 💐

We’re still on the topic of discouragement, and today, I want us to look at the many ways in which discouragement comes. We’re not always discouraged. If you find yourself constantly feeling discouraged, it might be time to speak to a therapist or even your friends, or pastor. On a regular, we’re not always discouraged or sad, except, of course, when we’re talking about depression. Discouragement and depression are not the same thing, and I’ve said this before. You may not even be depressed; you may just be having a field day with discouragement because discouragement can also last a few days. Some people are simply discouraged.

Now, there are things that can move us from a state of joy and confidence into a state of discouragement. When you read about Elijah, for instance, you see that he became discouraged because of Jezebel. There was a cause. Your cause may be that you’ve been praying for a job for five years, and it feels like God is mizing you. Or maybe you’ve been working so hard with little to show for it, or you’ve been at the same level for far too long. These things can wear you down.

This makes me think, and perhaps it could be argued, that man is made to be a positive creature. We’re made for faith. Discouragement came with sin. When our “representatives” were in the garden, we don’t see any of these things, but when they sinned, they brought into the world many of the things we’re still dealing with today. Man enjoys being positive. It shows. A normal person doesn’t enjoy discouragement or pain. When you find yourself in that state, something may be wrong, and it’s worth paying attention to what’s happening within you.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”
— Psalm 42:5 (KJV)

There are many things that can drive us into discouragement. Fear is one of them. Feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and so many other things can also contribute. Most of the people I’ve spoken to who were discouraged were led to that place by unanswered prayers or the waiting period. I’d then say, in this context, that someone like Abraham could have become discouraged while waiting for the promise, but Scripture says he chose to hope.

We see the direct quencher of discouragement: hope. Abraham stayed in hope. What a hard thing to do! I don’t know about you, but I’ve really gone through things that made me feel like I had absolutely no hope left. My hope would be totally deferred, making my heart sick, just as Scripture says. My people, hope is one of the hardest things to kill, but it’s also one of the hardest things to find when life gets tough.

Let me ask you, Have you felt discouraged lately? Do you know the cause? How long did it last? Are you hopeful? People are different, so we all deal with discouragement differently. I tend to shut down and pray. I’m not really one to call someone at 3 a.m. because I’m discouraged, but for some people, that’s exactly what works. I don’t always know how to discuss what I’m feeling, so I take it up with God. If you need to talk to your friends, please do! Don’t copy me, lol. What’s important is that you don’t stay there, entertaining what is possibly sucking the life out of you.

People of God, I want to say this, guard your heart. The devil is surely going to send many, many things to discourage you. You have to guard your heart so well that when discouragement comes, it doesn’t stay too long or disrupt your life. Hope like Abraham. Pray like Elijah. You’re not the only one. Certainly not! David speaking to himself says , “Hope again in the Lord oh my soul!” He’s having a conversation with himself & he is telling his soul, “Let’s try again!” So please try again my darling. Hope again.

I know it’s proven to be hard many times, but the thing is, there’s a way out. Some people have become discouraged about marriage because of failed relationships. To them, I say, get up and hope again for a spouse! Staying in discouragement isn’t going to bring that lady anyway, so why entertain it? Hope again! Has He not said it? Will He not do it? That’s what Scripture says. Even in that situation, God is still saying, “I said it, so I will do it.”

I have yet another question for you,
Is anything too hard for the Lord?

See you on Thursday!

If you read my blogs but have never met this  Wonderful Jesus that I’m always writing about,  you’d love to get to know Him, Or you know The Lord but have found yourself drifting far from Him, I would love to talk with you. Please send me an email  on yieldedcwcenter@gmail.com or simply comment, and I will reach out to you