Discouraged from time to time? Take heart, my friend, you’re normal. Feeling a loss of confidence and enthusiasm? Are you too familiar with a continual pattern of being let-down? Don’t panic. Realize you’re not alone. You’re in good company. Some of the greatest minds and strongest people of faith have walked through the fog of discouragement. From Presidents to Paul the Apostle, Scientists to St. Peter, even the Lord Jesus Christ, in His humanity, allowed himself to battle temporary disappointment and discouragement (Phil. 2:1-8).

The pace of the world we live in can be crushingly fast. And, like a torrential downpour, disappointments can seem to quickly mount leaving one standing neck high in discouragement and regret. It’s inevitable, there is a 1:1 ratio between living and discouragement - everyone experiences it. To deny this truth is to pridefully live in a fantasy world. To deny this truth is to live a lie. Just as it is completely normal to struggle through the stages of grief with the loss of a loved one, it remains normal to know the reality of discouragement. Devoid of the ability to grapple with discouragement leaves one vulnerable for deep despair and depression. Refusal to admit one is in a state of discouragement usually proves one’s search for perfectionism - one desires to look good so how dare one admit to failure, disappointment, or discouragement. Yet, to avoid these topics is to fall prey to a deadly snare. The true test of a man is not the avoidance of discouragement. Instead, it’s the admission of, and action taken, while encountering it.

God’s strength is perfected in man’s weakness (2Cor. 12:9). With the acknowledgment of need comes an opportunity for divine action. God is not partial to any man, yet He willingly displays His power in the lives of those who accept their need for Him. What God creates (faith in man), He sustains (man’s faith). When life comes at man hard and man struggles in the muck of discouragement, God can deliver man. In the life of a believer and receiver of Jesus Christ, God is man’s refuge and strength. In the midst of disappointments and discouragement, God is a strong tower. When the massive waves of trauma and stress press in around man, man can enter into the rest of his Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Discouragement is real. Yet the power of God in the midst of personal despair can satisfy the heart of the battered and beleaguered. In Christ, there is rest and rejuvenation for the soul. In Christ, there is both practical and eternal hope. Genuine Biblical faith in Christ Jesus produces a hope that will not disappoint man. Biblical faith that produces hope rests in the assurance of God’s promise to be a constant presence in the life of a believer. Yes, it remains impossible for God to abandon a believer in the midst of pain (Jos. 1:5). It remains impossible for God to act in ways contrary to His character. Since abandonment toward a believer and receiver of Christ is contrary to God’s character, those with (real/genuine) faith in Christ can rest in His promise(s) of assurance and hope.

God is hope, but He is not a hope button. The God of Sacred Scripture is not a magic pill. He is not a wizard. He does not wave a magic wand of salvation and security. ‘Poof, all your worries shall vanish’ - this is not correct Christian theology. Surely, we must not have a billboard mentality of God as a distant deity who watches man from afar waiting to intervene in man’s affairs when summoned. No! God is intimate and active in the affairs of mankind. By His Spirit, God is aware of all things. He is the Light of the world; therefore, He is never left in the dark regarding man’s business. Through His Living Word, God speaks truth to mankind. The Scriptures refer to God as a Mighty Warrior active in redeeming the soul of a man. A Gentle Healer desiring restoration of man’s battered heart. A Holy Friend who can exchange discouragement for dignity, trouble for triumph, and vulnerability toward perceived failure for victory in the lessons of life. God has given us His absolute best in the person of Jesus Christ so that we may first see our total inadequacies in all areas of life and then receive Christ as our all-sufficient, all-potent Lord. Yes, even in our personal ineptitude and sin, God desires to work His divine will through us - God’s perfect providence will never fail (Job 38: 1-41).

The practical application in overcoming discouragement rests in God’s grace and the power that believers have in Jesus Christ. Believers must master the basic but essential teachings (doctrines) of the Christian faith. In doing so, one equips himself with life transforming, discouragement defeating truths. But, not everyone is a follower of Christ - obviously, not everyone is a Christian. Not everyone repents of sin. Not everyone believes there’s a need for humility toward God. Multitudes remain skeptical concerning God. Some are angry at God. Some hate Him. So, how does a skeptic and non-believer of God resolve their (own) discouragement dilemmas? The answer is the same as it has always been. One must give up on ‘self’ and surrender to the Almighty. There is no alternate route. All who seek truth and freedom and goodness and godliness must resign to self, and serve the Living God. How is this done? One must do a U-turn on the road of life. Yes, God loves the skeptic with an everlasting love. He is continually nudging the doubter toward the reality of Christ and the truths of Holy Scripture. Only after one places his confidence in Christ and God’s Word can one overcome continual discouragement.

Finally, may we remember - at times temporary discouragement can be of great benefit as it prods us toward the reality of our fragility and need for God’s comfort and confidence. Ignoring God’s desire to help man in the midst of his pain only proves man’s prideful pursuit towards personal perfectionism, a vain pursuit that is not worth man’s time (Ecc. 12).

Summary of Applicable Facts:

1.) Occasional discouragement is a reality in all individuals. There is a 1:1 ratio between living and occasional discouragement.

2.) Jesus Christ (in His humanity) allowed himself to battle disappointment and discouragement. The main difference between Jesus’ discouragement and ours? Jesus turned His discouragement into divine purpose and productivity 100% of the time.

3.) Avoidance of the reality of discouragement tempts one to fall prey to the sin of perfectionism.

4.) The true test of a man is not the avoidance of discouragement. Instead, it’s the admission of, and action taken, while encountering it.

5.) God’s strength is perfected in man’s weakness (2Cor. 12:9). With the acknowledgment of need comes an opportunity for divine action.

6.) The power of God in the midst of personal despair can satisfy the heart of the battered and beleaguered.

7.) God is hope, but He is not a hope button. We must not have a billboard mentality of God as a distant deity who watches man from afar waiting to intervene in man’s affairs when summoned.

8.) Even in our personal ineptitude and sin, God desires to work His divine will through us - God’s perfect providence will never fail (Job 38: 1-41).

9.) God, through the Holy Scriptures, has equipped man for victory over the enemy of ongoing discouragement. Unless one delves into the practical application of God’s Word, one will never receive the victory over constant disappointment(s).

AJO

10/06/2007