SAY NO TO DISCOURAGEMENT:

A SCRIPTURAL PLAN TO BAN THE 'BLUES'

Psalms 42:5 Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why
have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God....
 

We all get discouraged at times, especially when we see the same scenery—four walls-- day after day. Thoughts arise within us: “Is this it? My whole future, day after day, just like this?” Not much to encourage you in that scenario, if you look at it from the humanistic point of view.

But, if we look at it from GOD’S point of view---through His Word---and take our thoughts captive, we can battle all discouragement and win! How?

HERE IS A STEP BY STEP PLAN:

 

I. RETURN TO THE LORD Return? “But I haven’t left” you may be saying. Well, in a sense, each time we look away from GOD’S Plan for us and looked at life through eyes of fear or discouragement for a period of time, we are turning away. Oh, it’s not that we’ve left God or His Kingdom, but we still need to return to thinking God’s way.

Malachi 3:7 Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

A. When discouraged, many believers drift away from the Lord,
neglecting prayer, God's Word, and church attendance. And you can be a part of a fellowship of believers even if you can’t leave your home.

B. God's Word admonishes, in James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

C. Say NO to discouragement.

          1. Go back to the 'place' in God you were at before  discouragement came.
   
          2. Revive your prayer life and Bible meditation.

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might
not sin against thee.

Jer.15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

          3. Restore your church attendance and support. Maybe you can't get to a church building, but you can be a part of a church or fellowship and have a pastor; you can tithe to the place that provides your spiritual food.


Hebrews 10:25 Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together...

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

II. RADIATE FOR THE LORD—even if you only come into contact with your family and caregivers. And, remember, you can be in contact with many people through the internet.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

A. Radiate means "to give forth or spread happiness, love" --Webster.

B. When discouragement strikes, some believers spread gloom and doom. They see only the bad in others, the congregation, and in circumstances.

C. Say NO to discouragement.

      1. Replace negatives with positives.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

      2. Look for the good, not for the bad.

      3. Learn to see the glass half-full, not half-empty.

III. RELY ON THE LORD

Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way to the LORD; trust also in him; and he will do it..

A. Some believers rely on temporal possessions more than on God. Others rely too much on people. Some rely on their position or status. They all come to disappointment.

B. The Psalmist said in Psalms 73:28 It is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

       1. Commit your way  to God and trust!

Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

        2. Depend on Him. He never disappoints or fails.

Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.


IV. REJOICE IN THE LORD


Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I
say, Rejoice.


A. Many believers fall into discouragement because they fail to offer enough praise to God. They are too involved with selfish pursuits, or they are not aware of the power of praise in our lives.

Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart exults; and with my song I shall praise him.

B. It is difficult, if not impossible, to rejoice in the Lord and be discouraged at the same time.

 Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine: but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

I Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.