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7.1.7
Defeating Discouragement
Thanks to people for anniversary reception last
week
Brag on a few people…..
Nehemiah 1
I have a lot of points this morning because feel the problem
of discouragement is huge. Many times it goes
unspoken.
We have all had dealings with disappointment and
discouragement.
Some have discouragement that hangs
over them like a cloud.
They can’t really identify why it’s
there… it just hangs over their life.
Others know why. I have faced disappointments and I don’t
know how to deal with them.
Disappointments are inevitable.
If you don’t deal with it properly it will take
you down the long road of hurt, anger
resentment, depression and discouragement.
Let’s look in Nehemiah 1:3-4; 4:6-14
Story: without much of the history…. Jerusalem
is in trouble.
The walls are
broken down and gates are burned.
Jerusalem still focal point
of affection for the Jews.
So Nehemiah is grieved.
Let’s define 2 terms:
Disappointment is an emotional response to a
failed expectation.
Discouragement is a lack of confidence, becoming
faint hearted, wanting to give up.
-
when disappointment is unresolved discouragement
can happen.
6 reasons from the story and couple of extras
for discouragement:
1. Fatigue
Nehemiah 4:10 “…The strength of the laborers is giving out and there is so
much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
--- sometimes we just get
tired and need to take a physical break.
The wall was about
½ done and work began to slow down…
Partially because
the excitement had worn off.
2. Frustration
The “rubble” – junk.
For us it can be the wrong
deeds, thoughts, or attitudes.
Rubbish maybe trival things
that are waste of time:
Anything that keeps us or
gets in our way of accomplishing our
goals.
3. Fear
What are you afraid of. That
fear is driving you to quit.
4. Failure
Getting about ½ through and
not being motivated to do anymore.
Feel like one because of unreached
expectations.
Feel incompetent.
5. Financial pressure
Very easy to get discouraged
with these.
6. Voices of other people.
A negative voice can
penetrate deeply into our hearts.
There are plenty of people out there who will tell you you
can’t reach your goals. If you listen to them
you will start believing them.
-- me and
my brother
You can have moments of disappointment. Don’t
let them turn into seasons of discouragement.
Consequences to allowing a moment of disappointment to become
a season of discouragement:
Look for others to
blame.
Mind gets divided.
We live the “if I’d of….”
life
The If I’d of life… offers no solution to problems. It only
compounds the guilt that is already there.
You can become angry….
Anger – in most
cases, not all – is the source of depression.
- at
parents, Kids, God, job……
Push others away
Lose all self
confidence – begin to see self as
incompetent.
Make unwise decisions
Make sure you know I am not belittling the pain
and grief of unmet expectations.
Disappointment is real, and
it hurts!!!!
But if not dealt with we end
up with it’s consequences.
Disappointment leads to discouragement which is
to lack courage.
I see it as a vortex or a blackhole.
It draws you in and eventually it’s easier to just quit
fighting and throw you hands up and quit. And
just say “this is just how life is…”
Some things to help.
Not a quick fix. But a pattern to setup for
yourself.
Rest yourself.
Reorganize your life.
Do you have a problem in your
marriage?
Don’t quit – change
your approach.
Problem in your business?
Don’t quit – change
your priorities.
Problem with your walk with
God?
Don’t quit –
reorganize prayer life.
Reogranize how you think.
Is it easy? NO but
neither is being discouraged.
These two things are good advice for anyone.
Christians and non Christians alike.
Christians have this advantage --- God of all
the universe lives in us!!!!!!!!
We live by faith!
Mark 11:23 – 23 "I
tell you the truth, if anyone says to this
mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and
does not doubt in his heart but believes that
what he says will happen, it will be done for
him.
The OT picture for us to look at:
1 Samuel
17:46 “ This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will
strike you down and cut off your head. Today I
will give the carcasses of the Philistine army
to the birds of the air and the beast of the
earth, and the whole world will know that there
is a God in
Israel.”
Prophecy to the problem
Speak to the problem.
It is by faith we live and overcome
discouragement.
You have not reached your end.
Your greatest days are still ahead of
you…..
Take heart and be encouraged in your
faith…..
With that knowledge begin speaking to your
problem.
--- every time it pops up!
Some times the greatest step our courage is just
to speak to our problem.
Every moment of disappointment is an opportunity
to step out in greater faith and to do more than
you could have dreamed.
Sometimes dealing with disappointment can be one
of the hardest things you ever do. But not
dealing with it will be the worst thing you can
do.
Don’t let the moments of disappointment turn
into seasons of discouragement.
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