“The Spirit of Discouragement”

Religion

Is it just me, or is everyone battling discouragement these days? It seems as if everyone I know has gone through a recent bout with discouragement. The fact is discouragement eventually affects everyone. Perhaps you are even experiencing discouragement at this very moment.

Most of us are familiar with the fable about the devil going out of business. He decides to sell at a big bargain all of his tools- envy, jealousy, hatred, malice, deceit, pride and idolatry. But his tool of discouragement he sells at a very high price. When asked why it was so expensive he replied it was his most effective and disabling tool.

We all agree that the enemy plays some part in discouragement, but I think sometimes we give the devil too much credit. Most of the time discouragement is not related to some mystical demonic attack nor is it tied to a deep psychological disorder. There are logical reasons and practical causes for discouragement.

The four most common causes of discouragement are:

1. Physical fatigue – When you are physically or emotionally spent you’re a prime candidate for discouragement. Your natural defenses are down and you don’t seem to have physical nor mental strength to face the battle. Often prolonged physical sickness seems to tear down your resolve.

2. Frustration – Unfinished projects, frustration with a job, family members and expectations by others can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed.

3. Failure – Financial problems, project failure, unrealized goals, failed relationships all give us a sense of failure. No one likes to fail. Even though we know in our heart that success often results from our failures, we still don’t like to fail. Winston Churchill said, “Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm”. Someone said, ‘”ust when I think I can make ends meet – somebody moves the ends”.

4. Fear – Both from counseling and personal experience, I have learned that fear plays a major role in bringing discouragement. Fear of what might happen if_______? You could fill in the blank with hundreds of scenarios. What if I get sick, what if I run out of money, what if they leave me, what if I fail in this business venture? The moment we play the “what if’’ card discouragement sets in.

What is the cure for discouragement?

1. Rest your body – You have heard the old saying, “You must get apart before you come apart”. If you are burning the candle at both ends you are not as bright as you think.

2. Backup and punt – This might be a time that the Lord is trying to bring change in your life. Reorganize and get a fresh perspective. Maybe the Lord is preparing you for a new and exciting approach to an old problem. He might be opening a new door.

3. Remember God is our helper – Jeremiah 29:11; “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope“.

4. Resist discouragement- Remember discouragement is a choice. I catch a lot flack in conferences when I make the statement, “Most of the time we choose to be depressed and discouraged”. For some reason our flesh wants to believe that we are depressed and discouraged because of some physiological imbalance. The truth is, in most cases, that we can usually trace back to the time or event that we chose to be discouraged. If we choose to be discouraged then we can choose not to be discouraged.

5. We must choose to replace discouragement with truth – It important to remember that our worth and identity is not dependent upon our circumstances but dependent upon the living Christ within. He gives us worth, acceptance, and competence. We must trust what God says about us more than we trust our feelings and emotions.

Since encouragement is the opposite of discouragement, we must remember how God has led us in the past. We must remember how He has never failed us. We take comfort in the fact that He will never leave nor forsake us. We must also rehearse our belief that everything that happens in our life is from the Lord. (Philippians 1:6). He either sent it or allowed it to happen.

Fight back, not in your own strength, but in the power of His might. Don’t let another moment of discouragement weigh you down. No one is forcing you to feel bad, choose truth regardless of how you feel.

Maybe the following prayer will help us refocus:

“Dear Lord, help us to enter into a new level of surrender and repentance. Help us to trust you in the midst of our valley. Remind us often that You are allowing these times to shake, mold, and shape us. You have proven to be a loving and faithful Father who cares for his children. Help us to lay at your feet our doubts, fears, burdens and even our hopes and dreams. Oh Lord, because we desire an intimate fellowship with you, we choose truth and life over our discouragement”.

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