FEATURE ARTICLE: Defeating Discouragement

by AGospelPreacha

Provided by Joined at the Hip Ministries www.jathministries.com

Discouragement is a disease unique to human beings:

* It's universal. Everyone gets it.
* It's reoccurring. You can catch it more than once.
* It's highly contagious. Hang around discouraged people - you'll be infected.

THE CAUSES:

#1 Cause: FATIGUE. When you are physically or emotionally exhausted,
you are a prime candidate to be infected with discouragement. Your
defenses are lowered and things can seem bleaker than they really are.
This often occurs when you are half way through a major project -you
get tired.

#2 Cause: FRUSTRATION. When unfinished tasks pile up, it's natural to
feel overwhelmed. And when trivial matters or the unexpected interrupt
you and prevent you from accomplishing what you really need to do,
your frustration can easily produce discouragement.

#3 Cause: FAILURE. Sometimes, your best laid plans fall apart: the
project collapses... the deal falls through ... the order is canceled.
How do you react? Do you give in to self-pity? Do you blame others? As
one man said, "Just when I think I can makes ends meet- somebody moves
the ends!" That's discouraging!

#4 Cause: FEAR. Fear is behind more discouragement than we'd like to
admit. The fear of criticism (What will they think?), the fear of
responsibility (What if I can't handle this?) and the fear of failure
(What if I blow it?) can cause a major onset of the blues.

THE CURE:

There's a fascinating story in the Bible about how a guy named
Nehemiah mobilized the residents of Jerusalem to build a wall around
the entire city. Half way through the project, the citizens became
discouraged and wanted to give up - because of the 4 causes I've
given. Here's what Nehemiah told them to do to defeat their
discouragement: (Nehemiah 4)

REST YOUR BODY! If you need a break - take one! You'll be more
effective when you return to work. If you're burning the candle at
both ends, you're not as bright as you think !

REORGANIZE YOUR LIFE! Discouragement doesn't necessarily mean you are
doing the wrong thing. It may just be that you are doing the right
thing in the wrong way. Try a new approach. Shake things up a little.

REMEMBER GOD WILL HELP YOU! Just ask Him. He can give you new energy.
There is incredible motivating power in faith.

RESIST THE DISCOURAGEMENT! Fight back. Discouragement is a choice.
If you feel discouraged it is because you have chosen to feel that
way. No one is forcing you to feel bad. Hang on! Do what's right in
spite of your feelings. No feeling lasts forever.


Edifying, Encouraging & Enlightening,
AGospelPreacha

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