So, here we are, a season of feeling discouraged. No one wants to talk about it. Why would a Christian ever hit a season of feeling discouraged, right? Yet here we are, walking it out. Not wanting to share it with anyone because being here must obviously mean we’ve failed in some way. That is obviously what everyone will think anyway, right? And there is no way possible we would ever admit to failing. 😲 Nope. That can’t be it.
I want to start with the very definition of discouragement. Let’s just go right to the meaning of the word, and start working our way out of this pit of despair where we’ve found ourselves wallowing. Yep, I said it, wallowing.
Discouragement- a loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness: to deprive of courage or confidence: dishearten: to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something: an attempt to prevent something by showing disapproval or creating difficulties; deterrent.
When we reveal the meaning of the word, we find the very definition of what satan wants to do to Christians. His goal is to dishearten you, dissuade you, prevent you from moving forward in Jesus. He wants to hold you back from your full potential, your calling. He would love nothing more than to see you lose confidence and enthusiasm in the Lord of your life. He wants to separate you from your hope, and your help. His ultimate goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) The very opposite of discouragement. So, now that we know the definition (revealing the source), maybe we can be more equipped to fight it.
When asking Google what causes discouragement, it gives answers like: “fear, loss, lack of direction or purpose, chronic issues, lack of control, unhealthy relationships, loneliness, ingratitude.” While there are more reasons for discouragement, this is a good list to start evaluating our lives. What are you facing in your life right now. What season are you walking through, or just finished walking through that you feel has led to your discouragement? Fear? Have you suffered loss in your life? Have you lost your direction? Do you feel lost searching for your purpose? Are you living on a roller coaster that is out of control? Have you isolated yourself? Have you lost your heart of thankfulness? Maybe life just hasn’t turned out the way you thought it would? There are all kinds of causes that life can throw. We have to be equipped with the whole armor of God. The helmet of salvation. The sword (the Word of God)of the spirit. The shield of faith. Having truth as your belt, and righteousness as your breastplate. Even your feet covered, and ready with the gospel of peace. Peace, just saying the word brings comfort!
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” -Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV
Let me tell you, I to have walked through the pit of discouragement. If I am completely honest depression has shown it’s ugly face at my door in recent months. I, like many others, have walked through this long season of sickness, so much loss, hurt on every side, and screaming uncertainty. A season where all the norms/pillars of life have been shaken. Life has thrown enough curveballs to discourage the most optimistic. So, what do we do?
🎶”Where do I go when there’s nobody else to turn to? Who do I talk to when nobody wants to listen? Who do I lean on when there’s no foundation stable? I go to the rock. I know he’s able, I go to the rock.”🎶
When discouragement hits, I tend to question what I’ve done wrong to cause me to be in this place. What life choices do I need to change? What areas am I failing? And sometimes the answer is, “Lord, I am doing the best I know how right now.” The truth is, discouragement isn’t always a direct result of bad life choices. Sometimes it is a direct result of poor choices, but not always. Discouragement can settle in from things happening around us beyond our control. So, what do we do? Just quit? Give up? Will that fix the discouragement?
What I have found in this season, is that I have to be intentional. Intentional with my actions. Intentional with my thoughts. Intentional with every aspect of my life. Being intentional takes effort on my part, even when I don’t feel like it. Failing to be intentional in what may seem like small things can quickly send us in a downward spiral. Being intentional, especially in our thought life, isn’t a foreign concept Biblically. In Acts 26, Paul tells king Agrippa that he thinks himself happy. Philippians 4:8 says:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
If we allow it, we are constantly being fed a diet of negativity. All of the bad things being pushed to the forefront in the news, and on social media. Nothing but bills, and junk mail showing up in the mailbox. If that is our only life diet, gloom, discouragement, and despair are sure to follow. We have to take the time to evaluate our habits. Evaluate what we are putting into our mind. Evaluate our thought life. We have to find the areas that we’ve allowed to slip down that slippery slope, and we have to become intentional about committing to change them. It’s not a one and done deal. We have to adopt life habits that will literally change our way of thinking. And Jesus wants you to walk in that freedom.
This week’s homework? Evaluate. Take a good honest look at your life, and evaluate where some intentional changes can be made. In my next post, I hope to share some steps I have made in my own life that have helped immensely.
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