Speaker: Pastor Joel Christie Isaiah
Date:7 June 2009
Introduction:
Every where you go you can find people discouraged .You may be a Christian but this danger of discouragement will effect you if you give in.
The devil uses this weapon to bring believer into bondage again. Before we even go into this topic let us look what is discouragement.
What is discouragement?
• It is the depression of the heart and the spirit.
• It is associated with disappointments and defeats.
• It follows a set back in your life or ministry.
• It is the very opposite of faith and courage.
• It is Satan’s device to thwart the plan and work of God in our lives.
• It makes us see negatively- only the unfavorable circumstances.
When does discouragement come?
I believe everyone knows the answer. But let us see what the bible speaks of concerning this.
• Following any defeat or disappointments in your life.
1. Frustrated with your working environment
2. Angry with your spouse.
3. Disobedient children.
4. Frustrated with your leaders or any other person.
5. Everyone is wrong.
Disappointment in King Saul’s life for obeying the wrong voice.
1King 15 vs20-24
And Saul said to Samuel “ But I have obeyed the voice of the Lord and gone on the mission on which the Lord Sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have destroyed the Amalekites.
Vs 21 ‘ But the people took of the plunder of ,sheep and oxen, the best of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
Vs22 Then Samuel said:
“ Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of Rams.
Vs 23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,
And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He also has rejected you from being king”
Vs 24 The Saul said to Samuel, “ I have sinned for I have transgressed the commandments of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
Disappointment of Jonah after a great victory Jonah 4:3,8
Vs 3 Therefore now ,O Lord please take my life from me ,for it better for me to die than to live.
Vs 8 And it happened when the sun arose, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat on Jonah’s head, so that he grew faint. Then he wished death for himself, and said , “ It is better for me to die than to live.”
This happens to many of us. After a great achievement we sometime come to this stage and start complaining. We want things to happen according to our way not God’s way.
HOW TO HANDLE DISCOURAGEMENT
1. Do not focus on the present difficulties. Focus on the vision and the job to be done. Retain faith,hope and courage.
Heb 12 1-2
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Vs2 looking unto Jesus , the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was et before Him endured the cross despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2. Exercise your faith with patient and endurance.
Heb 10 :35-36
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Vs 36 For you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise.
3. Pray more intensely.
Eph 6:18
Praying with all prayer and supplications in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
4. Accept the challenge to persevere.
Matt 10;22
And you will be hated by all for my Name sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
5. Seek the support of fellow believers. Do not go into isolation.
Galatians 6:2 Bear on another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
6. Encourage yourself in the Lord .
1 Samuel 30 vs6
Then David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
7. Stand on the promises of God in your life. By reading the bible.
2 Corinthian 1:20
For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Conclusion:
Discouragement is on of the spiritual bondages that hinders the believers from living for the Lord. The devil uses discouragement to deter the believer from serving the Lord.
The Holy Spirit can bring inner healing and deliver from this bondage. The holy Spirit gives inner strength to perform for the Lord in all might and excellence.
Joshua 1: 9
Be strong and of good courage, be not frightened, neither be dismayed, for the Lord Your God is with you wherever you go.
Fear not, For I am with you, be not dismayed, For I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
