DEFEATING DISCOURAGEMENT

Author

Pastor Billy Shaw

---

If you live long enough, you will become discouraged.  It may be a fleeting discouragement such as a stressful Monday at work; it may run deeper with several layers of setbacks, personal challenges, failure, or even loss and tragedy. How do you address your discouragement? Does the Bible have any insight that may help you?

1 Samuel 30 is one of my favorite passages in bringing the fight to serious discouragement.  Here, the Bible says that “David was greatly distressed.” The word distressed here means to be grieved, perplexed.  The word has the idea of being under significant pressure, as if you are about to pop or break. David was there. You have been there too.  Maybe you are there now?

David was there because everyone around him had turned against him.  Some of the nation of Israel’s enemies had come and attacked the village and left it burning.  The worst part was that they had taken their wives and children as captives. The grief was deep, personal, and very real.  People “wept until they had no more power to weep.” They were looking for a place to direct their emotion, someone to blame, and they thrust it all against David, who was suffering loss himself.  

Somehow David managed to do something extraordinary.  The Bible says that “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”  He could find little positive around him ,and his friends and closest associates had turned against him.  So he turned toward God. You can do this also. God is love. God invites you to come to Him. God wants to provide shelter and comfort for you under His wings.  As long as God is still on the throne (and He always will be), there is reason for hope.  

What was the result of David encouraging himself in the LORD?  For one thing, he was able to create some distance from the anger pointed toward him.  He was able to get some space to tune out the negative and get clarity. Then, he sought direction from God in prayer.  God answered and gave him solid direction, which he obeyed. The end result was that David and his men recovered all that had been taken.  Everything was fully restored, because David made a choice to encourage himself in the LORD.  

What if David had given in to the overwhelming loss?  What if he had given up too soon? Could it be that he and his men would not have recovered their families and possessions?  

I would hate for you to miss what could be right around the corner if you will encourage yourself in the LORD.  If you can find a way to get alone with God and take courage in His presence. Encourage yourself in the Almighty Father.  If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, that would be your very first step. I can help you with this; just contact me through the site.  If you have trusted Christ, unburden your heart to the Lord. Let him know exactly what you are feeling; hold nothing back. Then ask Him to encourage you with HIs all-powerful encouragement.Wait upon Him, and receive the blessing that only He can give.

We invite you to attend one of our weekly worship services where you will hear uplifting and engaging music and encouraging messages from God’s Word.  You can also contact us through our website with any prayer request you have. We look forward to continued ministry to you.

plan a visit