Notes on Discouragement
by adustyframe ~ December 27th, 2006Here are the notes I took when I went to In Touch to hear the sermon my husband called me about.
Discouragement
Disappointment is an emotional response to a failed expectation or desire.
Discouragement is a choice.
If you don’t deal with disappointment you will become discouraged.
This leads to
1. A divided mind.
Thinking about the problems
2. Look for someone to blame
Blame God (If you’re sovereign!)
God may have allowed it but he doesn’t intend you to become discouraged to the point of wrecking your life.
Blame others–she did this! He said…
Blame Self
Live an “If I’d of” life– no happiness, joy or contentment
3. Become angry
Toward God, self, others
Unresolved anger drives people away from you. No one wants to be there to be spewed on.
4. Estranges people from you
When you live a discouraged life, you are naturally going to share it with your friends.
People don’t like to fellowship with someone in a state of discouragement unless they live there too. **They have awesome parties of negativity!
5. Self Esteem gets lower and lower
Feel totally defeated.
What do you intend to do?
Accept that this is the way life will always be? That this is just the way you are?
If you settle for a “settle for” life, you have reached a dangerous position.
You cannot afford to settle for less than God’s best.
These are consequences of living in discouragement.
Don’t ask “Can I get out of this?” but “Will I?”
Disappointment is inevitable, but discouragement is a choice.
You can’t get so low that Almighty God can’t lift you up and send you on a different way.
Nehemiah had a reason to be discouraged but instead of giving up he said
“Hold a sword in one hand and a hammer in the other and get this wall built.”
When you are disappointed
1. Confess aloud to your Heavenly Father
“I know you are with me in this. I know you are in control. You have power to change anything you choose. I know you’re going to turn this for good. You know my pain and hurt. I’m looking to see how you turn this for good.”
When you’re hurt, immediately turn to God and confess these things.
Confess it as long as it takes, til God lifts you out of the slime of discouragement.
Your attitude, outlook and viewpoint will change. Your focus is your Father. Not your circumstances and hurts.
Your actions and circumstances will change in God’s time.
You have to make a choice to stay in the slime pit of despair. Or trust your Heavenly Father to change your circumstance and anticipate his deliverance.
99.9% of the time God will require something of you. He requires of you a choice.
Am I willing to believe my heavenly Father loves me unconditionally and doesn’t want me to be discouraged?
Do I believe he can work something good?
Do I believe he is powerful enough to change?
Do I believe he can change my heart while I wait for circumstances to change?
Do I believe that my Father is able?
December 27th, 2006 at 10:58 pm
Powerful stuff! I’ve been thinking about this alot lately. Sometimes wish God would change me WITHOUT me having to put out effort to make choices. Lazy, I guess.
THanks so much for sharing this.
December 28th, 2006 at 8:26 pm
Thank you for sharing this. I was disappointed about a relationship with a particular person this Christmas and I’ve been really discouraged since. These were words straight to my heart. Thank you so much for sharing.
December 29th, 2006 at 7:32 am
This quote you mentioned…”Your actions and circumstances will change in God’s time.” is so encouraging because it lets me know that God doesn’t forget. ‘Course I know He doesn’t , but I like to be reminded.
I’m sure you know this, but the Lord is using both you and your husband to help others, while you’re struggling yourself. I so appreciate folks being real and laying it on the line. Life is so hard, at times, sometimes for long stretches, and to hold one another along the way seems to be His will.
Hope your day is a good one.
December 29th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Whoa! It is so much easier to think about one of these aspects at a time, than it is to take the whole lesson at once.
Do you have a link to this sermon?
December 29th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
PrayerSister, it is the link in the previous post. Like I said I don’t know how long that link is active.
December 29th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
Melissa thanks so much for letting me know our story is an encouragement. That means a lot to me.
December 29th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
thanks – i needed to read this tonight