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In this article, we will consider the struggle against discouragement, and disillusionment. Would you agree that the past few years have been difficult and trying? Have your jobs and relationships been under strain? What about the political and social “climate” of our nation? Are things going the way you had expected or hoped in your life? What things cause you to doubt that the future could ever be better?
Knowing God as He Really Is
There are times when events and difficulties in our lives “cloud” our understanding and perspectives on God. These clouds often come upon us in our daily lives. It can be a difficult work/career situation. Maybe it’s a health or financial situation that just doesn’t improve. These “clouds” are like a fog that settles upon us and tempts us to trust in ourselves or something/someone else apart from God. Yet, we need to remember that God is always present (Omnipresent).
God wants us to know Him and Know Him correctly. We have ideas and notions about God that don’t align up with the reality of Him. So God mercifully works to reveal these “false” or “wrong” notions. Do you believe that God owes us a good life with no problems or difficulties? Does God answer every prayer the way we desire? What if the only way that God can draw us closer to Himself is to cause us to daily depend on Him?
God desires for us to develop a simple, trusting faith that depends on Him instead of our grand ideas about how life should or could be. Jesus reminds us that we must be like children to enter into His Kingdom.
Matthew 18:1-5 BSB emphasis mine
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. 3“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.
Children in this context are coming to Christ. They want to be with Him, and they trust Him. They don’t come with pretense or false motives. They just want to be near Him. It’s a great mercy when God humbles us with defeats, difficulties, and troubles that make us look up to Him for strength, courage, and relief.
A Hard Truth
We will observe and experience difficulties in life. Life is short and harsh. Things that happen seem to be random and cruel. Consider the numerous natural disasters that have occurred over the past months: the extreme heat, drought, wild fires, earthquakes, and floods in Kentucky.
Looking at the world around us, it’s hard to claim that God is good when there is so much suffering, loss, cruelty, and hatred. But, we can’t base our beliefs or thoughts about God from what we observe. We must base ourselves firmly upon His Living Word. God explains why life/creation is troubled in Genesis 3 and Romans 1-3. God is all-good, He is the Perfection of Goodness (Omnibenevolent).
Discouragement
Discouragement is the opposite of encouragement.
“The verb discourage has roots in the French word descouragier, which comes from des-, meaning “away,” and corage, or “courage.” So when you discourage someone, you can think of it as taking his courage — or enthusiasm — away.” google definition
John Piper addresses this issue of life briefly below:
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/dont-let-discouragement-choke-you
In summary, discouragement is dangerous and we must fight against it. The best way to fight against these lies is to remember God’s Truths by daily meditating on them. I watch sermons and read articles to help me to keep perspective. Circumstances can twist our perception of reality as we endure career failures, unemployment, relationship failures, and burn-out.
The most dangerous season of discouragement arrives when the daily struggles continue for a long period of time with no relief in sight. Ever been in a situation that just gets worse with time? Nothing you try to do makes it better. As the stress, frustration, and anxiety increases you find yourself with even less ability or desire to handle things. This progresses to a state of being overwhelmed and eventually burn-out.
Steve Gallagher of Pure Ministries has an excellent article with biblical examples:
https://www.purelifeministries.org/blog/responding-to-despair-and-discouragement
Past Wounds and Disappointment With Others
One of the worst consequences of the fall of humanity comes when others wound us from their own past “wounds.” Hurting people tend to hurt others. As someone who holds high ideals for how people should live and treat others, I have to remind myself that I am not the judge of others. God is the Righteous Judge. Only He can perceive every motive and intention of the human heart. We all have been disappointed and misused by others.
My temptation is to separate myself from others–to stay a “safe” distance away from others to avoid the inevitable disappointment(s) and hurts. This isn’t God’s Way. He commands that we love and forgive others regardless of how difficult it maybe personally. Considering all that God has graciously forgiven us, how can we come before Him with unforgiveness and bitterness stained on our hearts/souls?
We don’t see others as they really are and we demand from people what they can’t possibly give us! Are we seeing people as they really are? We are all lost, sinful people who desperately need God’s grace. How often are we critical of other people for doing something that we are doing too? It’s just more apparent when someone else is doing it!
Solutions
1. Only God can satisfy your heart
Why do we look to others to do what only God can do? Do we forget that Holy Spirit is present in our lives to teach, convict, and guide us? What about God’s Living Word that He has graciously preserved throughout history to speak His Truths to us?
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
Even the person we love (the most) can’t perfectly love us in return. No human ever loves another perfectly. To love is to be vulnerable and that means being open to possibility that the other person won’t respond as expected or desired. The Only Perfect Love is found in Christ. Meaning and purpose are found in trusting and following Him. Relationship(s), career choice, and personal accomplishments can’t deeply satisfy the human heart. All is vain without Christ’s presence and sustaining faith. Things of this earth, even the good things are temporary at best. Eternity with Christ is the ultimate prize!
2.Follow Jesus’ Example: He Trusted God Not In Others
Be faithful to Christ! Follow His example and consider what His love means. His love meant living a perfect life, dying on the cross, and rising again to redeem His people! Jesus came as a servant to serve, not to be served. He is the King of the Universe, but was born in stable. Jesus didn’t lord His authority over others. He faithfully fulfilled His Father’s Redemptive Mission. Philippians 2 and 1 Corinthians 13 are instructive. We are called to be like Christ! The purpose of walking with Christ is so that as we grow and struggle we become more like Him and less like the fallen world around us.
3. Place your confidence in God’s Perfect Grace
Since God doesn’t give up on us, then we shouldn’t give up on others or consider anyone beyond God’s grace. God’s grace is sufficient for all of our needs. To receive grace from God means that we are to live with grace overflowing from our lives to others. Paul speaks of this vital truth in numerous passages. Those who believe and trust in Christ never walk alone or in the darkness. He is Faithful and True, never forsaking those He has redeemed.
Despair and discouragement seek to draw our attention to our circumstances and present difficulties instead of looking above to Christ and His Kingdom. I write these words with concern and hope for everyone who is facing difficulties. You’re not alone! May God’s Word and Truth strengthen and encourage you! For His glory and honor, I write these words:
Words of Grace, Truth, and Hope 