C. BOSTIAN * HOW TO OVERCOME 4/23/06
DISCOURAGEMENT PT.3
Neh. 2:2-3 (MsgB)
So he asked me, "Why the long face? You're not sick are you? Or are you discouraged?" That made me all the more agitated. [3] I said, "Long live the king! And why shouldn't I be discouraged when the city, the city where all my family is buried, is in ruins and the city gates have been reduced to cinders?"
* DISCOURAGEMENT IS UNIVERSAL. EVERYBODY FACES DIS-COURAGEMENT AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES. IT COULD BE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT OR FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAD THAT DISCOURAGEMENT IS ONE OF THE ENEMY’S MAJOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AGAINST HUMANITY. DISCOURAGEMENT IS A VERY SUBTLE ATTACK OF THE ENEMEY THAT CAN LEAD TO DEPRESSION AND DEEP DESPAIR. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL HAD REACHED THE HALF WAY POINT IN THEIR BUILDING PROJECT WHEN DISCOURAGMENT SET IN. HERE’S WHAT THEY DID TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT.
* Neh 4:6-14
6 At last the wall was completed to half its original height around the entire city-- for the workers worked hard. 7 But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabians, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going right ahead and that the breaks in the wall were being repaired, they became furious. 8 They plotted to lead an army against Jerusalem to bring about riots and confusion. 9 But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves. 10 Then some of the leaders began complaining that the workmen were becoming tired; *and there was so much rubble to be removed that we could never get it done by ourselves. 11 Meanwhile, our enemies were planning to swoop down upon us and kill us, thus ending our work.12 And whenever the workers who lived in the nearby cities went home for a visit, our enemies tried to talk them out of returning to Jerusalem. *13 So I placed armed guards from each family in the cleared spaces behind the walls. 14 Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, "Don't be afraid! Remember the Lord who is great and glorious; fight for your friends, your families, and your homes!"
(PAUSE) HERE IN NEH.4 THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL EXPERIENCED 4 CAUSES FOR DISCOURAGEMENT. when you are attacked with discouragement it is enevitabbly tied in to one of these 4 causes: fatigue, frustration, fear OR failure. so do a little checklist in your life and see what’s causing the problem and once you do we have an antedote in the same passage of scripture THAT’s WE’RE GONNA LOOK AT THIS MORNING. BUT BEFORE WE DO I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF THE DEFINITIONS OF DISCOURAGEMENT FOUND IN THE BIBLE.
*Psalm 42:5 (MsgB)
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God.
Job 22:29-30
29 When men are discouraged, then you shall say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. 30 He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of your hands.
*ONE OF THE HEBREW WORDS FOR DISCOURAGEMENT IS RATSATS WHICH MEANS TO CRACK IN PIECES, LITERALLY OF FIGURATIVELY, BREAK, BRUISE, CRUSH, OPPRESS AND THEN STRUGGLE ALTOGETHER. THE PURPOSE OF DISCOURAGEMENT IS TO CRACK YOU INTO PIECES SO THAT YOU’RE NO LONGER BE WHOLE. IF YOU ARE NOT WHOLE THEN YOU ARE UNABLE TO FUNCTION AFTER GOD’S DESIGN FOR YOUR LIFE. THIS ‘RATSATS’ DISCOURAGEMENT CAUSES AN INNER STRUGGLE THAT RESULTS IN OUR LOOKING BACK AT WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND BECOME GUILTY AND DISCOURAGED SO THAT WE CAN’T MOVE FORWARD. BUT GOD’S GOT AN ANSWER FOR GUILT AND THAT IS THE APPLICATION OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS AS WE REPENT AND CONFESS OUR SINS TO GOD.
* DISCOURAGEMENT DEFINED
The act of disheartening – to loose hope which leads to negativism and disapproval; a depriving of courage or to become dispirited or robbed of the ministry of the holy spirit; the act of deterring or dissuading from an undertaking; the act of depressing confidence.
ANOTHER HEBREW WORD FOR DISCOURAGEMENT MEANS THE DEPRESSION OF OUR SPIRIT. THIS SUGGESTS A FEELING OF BEING PUSHED DOWN ON THE INSIDE LIKE A KIND OF OPPRESSION THAT LEAVES US WITH A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS THAT EVENTUALLY DRAGS US DOWN TO THE PIT OF DESPONDENCY AND DESPAIR.
*Prov.13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes it is the tree of life.
(PAUSE) THE WORD ‘SICK’ HERE MEANS TO BE WOUNDED, WEAK OF INFIRM. SO WE FIND THAT THE DEPRESSION OF OUR SPIRIT AND THE FEELING OF BEING PUSHED DOWN ON THE INSIDE CAN EVEN HAVE AN OUTWARD PHYSICAL EFFECT UPON US IF WE DO NOT TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO RESIST THIS INFLUENCE THAT IS COMING AGAINST US. *WEBSTER’S DICTIONARY TELLS US THAT DISCOURAGEMENT IS TO ‘DEPRIVE OF COURAGE’ THAT LEAVES US WITH THE INABILITY TO DEAL WITH DANGER, TROUBLE OR PAIN. WITHOUT COURAGE WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE CALL OF GOD ON OUR LIVES CAUSE ITS GOONA REQUIRE ABSOLUTE FAITH IN GOD. HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT FEAR IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH AND THAT’S WHY WE NEED TO BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE FIRST POINT OF OUR LAST MESSAGE ON HOW TO BE HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL GOD’S WAY. EVERYBODY’S GOT SOME FEAR BUT IN ORDER TO BE COURAGEOUS WE HAVE TO ACT LIKE WE HAVE NO FEAR AND FACE OUR FEAR WITH AN OVERCOMING FAITH AND TRUST IN AN ALL SUFFICIENT GOD.
*Num 32:6-7
6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?
7 And wherefore do you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?
* ANOTHER HEBREW WORD OF DISCOURAGE IS THE WORD ‘NUW’ WHICH MEANS TO FORBID, DISSUADE OR NEUTRALIZE. YOU SEE, DISCOURAGEMENT IS DESIGNED TO STOP US, TO NEUTRALIZE US AND ITS NOT SOMETHING TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY. NOT ONLY CAN IT HINDER OUR WITNESSING AND PREVENT US FROM TOUCHING OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES BUT IT CAN ALSO LIMIT US IN OUR CAPACITY FOR GOD’S PLAN OF SUCCESS FOR YOUR LIFE. WHEN THE DEVIL USES DISCOURAGEMENT IN YOUR LIFE IT IS TO NEUTRALIZE YOU AND STOP YOU DEAD IN YOUR TRACKS. HIS DESIGN IS TO STOP YOU FROM BEING AN ACTIVE, CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.
* 2 Cor 4:7-9
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; discouraged, but not destroyed;
BACK IN NEH.4 WE LEARNED OF 4 MAJOR CAUSES FOR DISCOURAGEMENT: FATIGUE, FRUSTRATION, FEAR AND FAILURE now LET’S LOOK AT god’s answer for discouragement: *THERE ARE 5 THINGS WE CAN DO TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT. (PAUSE)
*1. AND THE FIRST ONE IS TO PRAY:
*Neh 4:8-9(NIV)
8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat
*THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT COMES IS TO PRAY AND ESPECIALLY PRAY IN THE SPIRIT BECAUSE HE WHO PRAYS IN THE SPIRIT BUILDS HIMSELF UP ACCORDING TO:
*1 Cor. 14:4 (MsgB)
The one who prays using a private "prayer language" certainly gets a lot out of it and is strengthened and encouraged by it…
Jude 1:20
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
(PAUSE)
2. *when discouragement is caused by fatigue: (how simple this is,) rest your body!
[S]Psalm 127:2 (KJV)
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Psalm 127:2 (MsgB)
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?
[S] Prov 3:24-26
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.
THE SECOND THING NEH. DID WAS TO GIVE THE PEOPLE SOME REST. HE ACTUALLY DECLARED SOME HOLIDAYS FOR THE WORKERS. I’VE HEARD BUSINESS LEADERS BRAG ON NEVER TAKING A VACATION AND I WANT TO SAY YOU’RE A FOOL. YOU ARE VIOLATING SCRIPTURES THAT ARE GIVEN TO US IN THE BIBLE AND YOU’RE HEADED STRAIGHT FOR BURNOUT. *DR. ROY WILLIAMS WRITES: WE HAVE TOO MANY CHOICES IN AMERICA TODAY AND TOO LITTLE TIME. OVER-CHOICE NOT ONLY KEEPS AMERICANS AVERAGE IT MAKES US TIRED. *WE DELUDE OURSELVES INTO THINKING WE CAN MAKE TIME FOR EVERYTHING. WE WILL QUIT FEELING TIRED WHEN WE SAY NO TO OVER-CHOICES AND ACCEPT THE FACT THAT WE CAN’T DO EVERYTHING BY OURSELVES AND LEARN TO SAY NO.
*Psa.127:2 (LVG)
God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest. Its vain for you to rise up early and stay up late.
Isaiah 55:2 (KJV)
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which doesn’t matter? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?
YOU DON’T HAVE UNLIMTED TIME AND YOU DON’T HAVE UNLIMITED RESOURCES. *GOD MADE YOU WITH ENOUGH RESOURCE TO DO HIS WILL FOR YOUR LIFE. ITS POSSIBLE TO SPEND YOUR TIME AND MONEY ON NON-PRODUCTIVE THINGS THAT ARE IN ADDITION TO YOUR PURPOSE AND COME UP SHORT AND BURN OUT. THAT MEANS THAT I WILL HAVE THE NECESARRY VISON TO SEE WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND WHAT IS NOT IN THE PURSUIT OF MY GOALS IN LIFE. OTHERWISE WE WILL JUST BE AVERAGE IN AMERICA BECAUSE OF OVER-CHOICES AND WE THINK WE CAN CHOOSE EVERYTHING AND DO EVERYTHING AND WE CANNOT!
(PAUSE) IN PHILLIPIANS 3 PAUL SAID. ‘THIS ONE THING I DO.’ HE DIDN’T HAVE A LOT OF THINGS, HE JUST HAD ONE MAJOR THING HE DID TO KEEP HIM FOCUSSED AND ON TRACT WITH THE STRENGTH AND ENERGY TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT AND FINISH WELL. VISION GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO JUST SAY NO TO THINGS THAT WILL DRAIN YOUR RESOURCES AND TIME AND ARE NOT WHAT YOU WERE DESIGNED AND CREATED TO DO SO THAT YOU CAN FINISH WHAT YOU START. SO THE SECOND STEP TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT IS TO REST YOUR BODY.
ARE THERE ANY PEOPLE IN HERE THAT THEIR JOB REQUIRES THEM TO WORK FROM EARLY IN THE MORNING TO LATE AT NIGHT EVERY DAY? NOW THERE MANY BE OCCASSIONS WHEN YOU NEED TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT FOR A FINAL EXAM, OR FOR CLOSING A BIG BUSINESS DEAL BUT IT SHOULDN’T BE A PATTERN OR YOU WILL BURN OUT. GOD DESIGNED YOU BODY FOR THE NEED TO GET REST IF YOU WANT TO BE PRODUCTIVE THE NEXT DAY. DR. FREDRICK W. TAYLOR IN 1898 WROTE ABOUT HIS REASEARCH IN THE WORK PLACE: * “THAT PEOPLE PRODUCE MORE IF THEY HAVE PERIODIC SHORT BREAKS.” THAT’S WHERE THE COFFEE BREAK ORIGINATED. SO IF YOU WANT TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT THAT IS CAUSED BY FATIGUE THEN GO TO BED AND GET SOME REST.
*Psalm 119:73 (MsgB)
With your very own hands you formed me;
now breathe your wisdom over me so I can obey your law.
We got to get some sleep. We’ve got to eat right and exercise your body AND THEN REST. WHAT WE NEED IS BALANCE. SO GOD WRITES SOME COMMANDS THAT WILL ENHANCE OUR LIVES AND GIVE US THE STRENGTH NECESSARY TO OVERCOME ANY HARDSHIP AND FINISH WELL. SO HE SAYS, SIX DAYS YOU SHALL WORK AND ON THE 7TH YOU SHOULD REST. NOW THAT’S NOT A RELIGIOUS THING WE MUST DO TO BE A CHRISTIAN. ITS SOMETHING THAT’S DESIGNED FOR YOU BY GOD TO BE BENEFICIAL for YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING. IF THERE IS ANY JOB THAT CAUSES YOU TO BE OVER CHALLENGED THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A GOOD 8 HOURS OF SLEEP THAT WILL RADICALLY INVIGORATE YOUR LIFE and give you a renewed sense of strength and purpose. (PAUSE)
*3. THE third WAY TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT CAUSED BY FRUSTRATION AND DISSAPPOINTMENT IS TO REORGANIZE YOUR LIFE. THIS HAS TO BE DONE PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. WHEN NEH. SAW THE PEOPLE WERE GETTING DISCOURAGED AND READY TO QUIT HE SAID IN VERSE:
*Neh.4:13
[13] So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows.
WITH THE THREAT OF THE ENEMY ATTACKING AND THE WORK BEING DELAYED OR STOPPED ALTOGETHER HE REORGANIZED AND SAID WE’VE GOT TO HAVE A NEW STRADGEY FOR SUCCESS. SO ITS POSSIBLE THAT YOU COULD BE DOING A RIGHT THING LIKE BUILDING THE WALL BUT IN A WRONG WAY. THE TENDENCY WHEN WE ALL GET DISCOURAGED IS TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE, ‘MAYBE GOD DOESN’T WANT ME TO DO THIS AFTER ALL. MAYBE I’M DOING THE WRONG THING. *BUT MAYBE YOU’RE DOING THE RIGHT THING IN A WRONG WAY AND YOU JUST NEED TO REORGANIZE AND CHANGE YOUR METHODOLOGY. IF YOU’RE GOING INTO DEBT REORGANIZE YOUR BUDGET. IF YOU’RE OVERCOMMITTED THEN REORGANIZE YOUR TIME SCHEDULE. IF YOU’RE OUT OF SHAPE THEN YOU NEED TO REORGANIZE YOUR LIFESTYLE AND EATING PATTERNS.
if you’re sitting at a computer all day then you need to lift it and shift it! go get some exercise!
so when DIFFICULTY CoMEs and PLANS BEGAN TO FAIL and FRUSTRATION AND DISSAPPOINTMENT SET IN then IT is necessary TO REORGANIZE BEFORE DISCOURAGEMENT SETs IN AND CANCELLs THE WHOLE PROJECT. MAKE SURE YOU SET SOME PRIORITIES AND SET SOME TIME APART FOR SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH GOD AND YOUR FAMILY. DON’T CUT GOD OUT OF YOUR LIFE BECAUSE YOU’RE OVER COMMITTED. well, i don’t got time for church or i don’t got time to pray.
now listen, AS YOU GROW OLDER IN LIFE YOU CAN’T DO THE THINGS YOU COULD DO WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER. *SO PART OF GROWING IS TO REORGANIZE AND BECOME MORE EFFICIENT AT WHAT YOU CAN DO WITHOUT BEING OVER COMMITTED AND TIRED ALL THE TIME AND HAVE TO SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRITY. SO WE HAVE TO SET SOME PRIORITIES AND SAY NO TO SOME THINGS AND REORGANIZE AND SEPARATE THE GOOD THINGS FROM THE NECESSARY THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND STAY HEALTHY, HAPPY AND WELL. DIFFERENT SEASONS IN YOUR LIFE REQUIRE YOU TO REPACK YOU BAGS. SOMETIME WE HAVE TO UNPACK SPIRITUALLY AND DETERMINE WHAT WE DON’T NEED. THAT’S CALLED REORGANIZING AND ELIMINATING THINGS THAT DRAG US DOWN IN LIFE. (PAUSE)
*HIGH PERFORMANCE PEOPLE IN ALL STUDIES DONE HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON AND THAT IS STRONG RELATIONSHIP, LOVE AND SUPPORT GROUPS. WHEN NEH. REORGANIZED THEM HE SET THEM IN FAMILIES. WE NEED EACH OTHER, THAT’S WHY WE NEED tTO GO TO CHURCH SO THAT WE CAN ENCOURAGE AND DEFEND ONE ANOTHER AND FIGHT OUR SPITITUAL BATTLEs TOGETHER.
*Galatians 6:2 (KJV)
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
THE BIBLE SAYS: BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS AND SO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST. *THE PHRASE ONE ANOTHER IS USED OVER 50 TIMES IN THE N.T. WE CONCLUDE FROM THAT INFORMATION THAT WE NEED ONE ANOTHER. GOD SAID ITS NOT GOOD THAT MAN SHOULD BE ALONE SO HE MADE ADAM A HELPMATE. SO ITS NOT GOOD TO BE ALONE OR ISOLATED WHEN YOU BECOME DISCOURAGED. WHAT YOU NEED MOST IS SOME BALCONEY PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE. ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESS IS DEVELOPING STRONG RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE YOU CAN’T BECOME SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT THE HELP OF OTHER PEOPLE. (PAUSE)
4. IF YOU WANT TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT THEN PRAY, REST YOUR BODY, REORGANIZE YOUR LIFE, AND *REMEMBER THE LORD!
*Neh. 4:14 (KJV)
And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
THE 4TH THING WE NEED TO DO WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT COMES IS TO RECOMMITT OUR LIVES TO THE LORD. WHEN WE GET DISCOURAGED WE USUALLY TAKE OUR EYES OFF THE LORD AND FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT WHEN DAVID GOT DISCOURAGED THAT HE ENCOURAGED HIMSELF IN THE LORD. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE DISCOURAGED? LET ME GIVE YOU FOUR THINGS YOU SHOULD DO.
5. THE FIFTH THING YOU CAN DO WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT COMES IS TO SUBMIT TO GOD AND RESIST THE DEVIL.
NOW ON THIS ONE YOU’RE GONNA HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE AND WORK AT THIS. DISCOURAGMENT IS ONE OF THE ENEMIES MOST FORMIDABLE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION THAT HE USES AGAISNT THE BODY OF CHRIST. *DISCOURAGEMENT HAS A SPIRITUAL SOURCE SO YOU NEED TO RISE UP AFTER YOU HAVE PRAYED, GOTTEN SOME REST, REORGANIZED YOUR LIFE AND REMEMBERED THE LORD AND HIS PROVISION FOR YOU LIFE AND REBUKE THAT SPIRIT OF DISCOURAGEMENT.
*1 Tim. 6:12 (KJV)
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT MATURE CHRISTANS DO WHEN TROUBLE COMES THEY DISCERN THE SOURCE AND IF IT IS THE ENEMY ATTACKING THEY RUN TO THE PASTOR FOR PRAYER? NO, THEY RISE UP IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND REBUKE THAT THING IN JESUS NAME. NOW RISING UP MEANS YOU GET SOME REST, YOU REORGANIZE YOUR LIFE, YOU REMEMBER THE LORD AND YOU FIGHT AND RESIST THAT THING UNTIL IT LEAVES. NOW YOU DON’T GO BY FEELING SO YOU MUST RESIST THIS THING: YOU STAND AGAINST DISCOURAGEMENT AND REBUKE IT IN JESUS NAME.
*Mark 11:23 (KJV)
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
*IN ORDER TO RESIST DISCOURAGEMENT YOU GOT TO SPEAK TO IT AND REBUKE AND RENOUNCE ITS CLAIM UPON YOUR LIFE IN JESUS NAME. IF THERE IS A SPIRIT BEHIND IT THEN IT MUST BOW IT’S KNEE TO JESUS NAME. TRY IT SOME TIME AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS, I PROMISE YOU THAT IT WILL LEAVE—ITS GOT NO CHOICE. JUST STAND YOU GROUND AND RESIST IT IN JESUS NAME.
DISCOURAGEMENT IS WHAT CAUSES SO MANY PEOPLE TO START SOMETHING NEW ONLY TO QUIT AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF HARD WORK. *KNOWING THAT WE MUST TAKE THESE TOOLS AND OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT SO THAT WE CAN LEARN TO FINISH WELL AND BE HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL GOD’S WAY.
