How to break through discouragement (2)
2020-11-12Nehemiah 4:14 NIV
The second thing we can do to break through our discouragement is: Don’t just think about the problem, think about the Lord. Nehemiah said: ‘After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles…officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome.”‘ There are three things to try and remember:
1) Remember God’s goodness in the past. When we start thinking about all the good things He’s already done in our lives, our spirits will be lifted and our worries can be eased.
2) Remember God’s closeness in the present. What’s He doing in your life right now? The truth is, He is with us whether or not we feel His nearness. He said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
3) Remember God’s power for the future. He’ll give us strength for our needs.
When we get discouraged, we should try to stop focusing on our circumstances and focus on God instead. This isn’t always an easy thing to do, especially if we’re feeling overwhelmed by our situation, so it’s helpful to choose some encouraging Bible verses to memorise and quote when things feel too much for us to handle. For example: ‘I can do all this through him who gives me strength’ (Philippians 4:13 NIV). ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31 NIV). ‘Everything is possible for one who believes’ (Mark 9:23 NIV). It’s often our thoughts that determine our feelings, so by filling our minds with promises from God’s Word, we can take steps towards breaking through discouragement.